Recommendations based on One for the Murphysby Lynda Mullaly Hunt

* statistically, based on millions of data-points provided by fellow humans

  1. The One and Only Ivan

    by Katherine Applegate
    A gorilla named Ivan, who lives in a mall, finds hope and freedom through his art and the help of his friends.

    The story is placed at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall by the Video Arcade. Ivan, the gorilla, has lived in captivity at the Big Top Mall for 9,855 days by his own tally. , He lives in his domain, and is ... (Wikipedia)

  2. Okay for Now

    by Gary D. Schmidt
    A young boy struggles to find his place in a new town, but with the help of a kind librarian and John James Audubon's illustrations, he discovers his own talents and strengths.

    Douglas "Doug" Swieteck is a fourteen-year-old boy living somewhere on Long Island in 1968 during the Vietnam War . After Doug's dad is fired for mouthing off to his boss, the Swietecks move to the ... (Wikipedia)

  3. Out of My Mind

    by Sharon M. Draper
    A young girl with cerebral palsy struggles to overcome obstacles and prove her ability.

    Melody Brooks is a girl who was born with cerebral palsy . Also, who is ten years old. Her parents have done everything they can to help her live a normal life, but life is often frustrating for ... (Wikipedia)

  4. Counting by 7s

    by Holly Goldberg Sloan
    A story of resilience and hope, as an outsider learns to find her place in the world.

    Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. It has never been easy for her to connect with anyone other ... (Goodreads)

  5. Rain Reign

    by Ann M. Martin
    A young girl with Asperger's navigates her world through her love of homonyms while dealing with family issues.

    From Newbery Honor author Ann M. Martin, who wrote the Baby-sitters Club series, comes a, New York Times,-bestselling middle grade novel about a girl, her dog, and the trials of growing up in a ... (Barnes & Noble)

  6. The Lions of Little Rock

    by Kristin Levine
    A 12-year-old girl faces the racial tensions of 1958 Arkansas during the Little Rock Nine integration crisis.

    Two girls separated by race form an unbreakable bond during the tumultuous integration of Little Rock schools in 1958 Twelve-year-old Marlee doesn't have many friends until she meets Liz, the new ... (Goodreads)

  7. The List

    by Siobhan Vivian
    Every year, a list is posted in the high school girl's bathroom, ranking the prettiest and ugliest girls. The impact on those named is profound.

    An intense look at the rules of high school attraction — and the price that's paid for them. The remarkable New York Times bestseller! It happens every year before homecoming — the list is posted all ... (Barnes & Noble)

  8. Inside Out & Back Again

    by Thanhha Lai
    A young girl and her family flee Vietnam, adapting to a new life in America.

    Inside Out and Back Again is a story about a young girl named Kim Hà and her family, consisting of her Mother and three brothers, being forced to move to the United States because the Vietnam War had ... (Wikipedia)

  9. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

    by Tom Angleberger
    A group of sixth-grade friends use the advice of an origami Yoda to navigate their lives.

    Dwight is a sixth grader at McQuarrie Middle School who is considered quite weird. One day, Dwight folds an origami finger puppet of Yoda , a popular, Star Wars, figure. Through an imitation voice , ... (Wikipedia)

  10. Turtle in Paradise

    by Jennifer L. Holm
    Eleven-year-old Turtle is sent to live with her aunt in Key West during the Great Depression, where she discovers a new family and a world of adventure.

    Turtle in Paradise takes place during the Great Depression. Turtle is an eleven-year-old girl living with her mother and cat, Smokey, who is sent to live with her aunt and cousins in Key West, ... (Wikipedia)

  11. Fish in a Tree

    by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
    A young girl discovers her own unique talents with the help of a supportive teacher.

    "Fans of R.J. Palacio’s, Wonder, will appreciate this feel-good story of friendship and unconventional smarts.” —,Kirkus Reviews, Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time ... (Barnes & Noble)

  12. The Future of Us

    by Jay Asher
    Teenagers explore the possibilities of the future, based on choices they make in the present.

    Josh and Emma are about to discover themselves—fifteen years in the future. It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long—at least, up ... (Wikipedia)

  13. The Crossover

    by Kwame Alexander
    Two brothers explore the joys and struggles of adolescence through the power of basketball.

    New York Times, bestseller ∙ Newbery Medal Winner ∙, Coretta Scott King Honor Award ∙,2015 YALSA 2015 Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults,∙, 2015 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers ... (Barnes & Noble)

  14. Echo

    by Pam Muñoz Ryan
    A magical story of courage, hope and friendship, connecting three different generations.

    The framing story is set in Germany circa 1889; , while playing hide-and-seek with his friends, Otto becomes absorbed in a book he had purchased from a Gypsy entitled The Thirteenth Harmonica of Otto ... (Wikipedia)

  15. Copper Sun

    by Sharon M. Draper
    A young African girl is captured and sold into slavery in America, where she struggles to survive and find freedom.

    Stolen from her village, sold to the highest bidder, fifteen-year-old Amari has only one thing left of her own: hope., Amari's life was once perfect. Engaged to the handsomest man in her tribe, ... (Goodreads)

  16. Three Times Lucky

    by Sheila Turnage
    A young girl's adventure to discover the truth of her mysterious past.

    Newbery honor winner,, New York Times, bestseller, Edgar Award Finalist, and E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor book. A hilarious Southern debut with the kind of characters you meet once in a lifetime ... (Goodreads)

  17. The Running Dream

    by Wendelin Van Draanen
    A teenage girl's inspiring journey to recovery and redemption after a devastating injury.

    An award-winning and inspiring novel. When Jessica's dreams are shattered, she puts herself back together—and learns to dream bigger than ever before., , Jessica thinks her life is over when she ... (Goodreads)

  18. Because of Mr. Terupt

    by Rob Buyea
    Seven fifth-grade students learn valuable life lessons through the influence of a beloved teacher.

    It’s the start of fifth grade for seven kids at Snow Hill School. There’s . . . Jessica, the new girl, smart and perceptive, who’s having a hard time fitting in; Alexia, a bully, your friend one ... (Goodreads)

  19. Orbiting Jupiter

    by Gary D. Schmidt
    Told through the eyes of a young boy, a story of redemption, love, and family.

    When Jack meets his new foster brother, he already knows three things about him: Joseph almost killed a teacher. He was incarcerated at a place called Stone Mountain. He has a daughter. Her name is ... (Goodreads)

  20. The Scorpio Races

    by Maggie Stiefvater
    A thrilling race between magical sea horses, set against a backdrop of danger and suspense.

    It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die. At age ... (Goodreads)

  21. The War I Finally Won

    by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
    A young girl with a disability finds the courage to fight for independence and to make her own choices.

    Ada and her younger brother, Jamie, now have a permanent home with their loving legal guardian, Susan Smith. Although Jamie adapts more easily, Ada still struggles with the aftermath of her old life, ... (Goodreads)

  22. A Tale Dark & Grimm

    by Adam Gidwitz
    A humorous and thrilling retelling of classic Grimm fairy tales.

    In this mischievous and utterly original debut, Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm-inspired tales. As readers follow the siblings through a forest ... (Goodreads)

  23. Drama

    by Raina Telgemeier
    A young girl discovers her passion for theatre while navigating her own personal journey.

    PLACES, EVERYONE! Callie loves theater. And while she would totally try out for her middle school's production of Moon Over Mississippi , she can't really sing. Instead she's the set designer for the ... (Goodreads)

  24. Unwind

    by Neal Shusterman
    A dystopian future world where teenagers are subjected to a “harvesting” process that splits them apart.

    Connor, Risa, and Lev are running for their lives. The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age ... (Goodreads)

  25. A Crooked Kind of Perfect

    by Linda Urban
    Zoe dreams of playing piano at Carnegie Hall, but instead gets an organ and competes in the Perform-O-Rama.

    Ten-year-old Zoe Elias has perfect piano dreams. She can practically feel the keys under her flying fingers; she can hear the audience's applause. All she needs is a baby grand so she can start her ... (Goodreads)

  26. Kristy's Great Idea

    by Raina Telgemeier
    Kristy and her friends start a babysitting club, but things get complicated when they face competition and personal conflicts.

    This graphic novel adapted by Raina Telgemeier, the #1, New York Times, bestselling, multiple Eisner Award-winning author of, Smile, is now available in full color! Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia, and ... (Barnes & Noble)

  27. Roller Girl

    by Victoria Jamieson
    Twelve-year-old Astrid discovers her passion for roller derby and learns about friendship, perseverance, and growing up along the way.

    For fans of Raina Telgemeier’s, Smile, a heartwarming graphic novel about friendship and surviving junior high through the power of roller derby. Twelve-year-old Astrid has always done everything ... (Goodreads)

  28. Croak

    by Gina Damico
    Teenager Lex is sent to live with her uncle, who turns out to be a Grim Reaper. She must learn to embrace her new life and powers.

    Fed up with her wild behavior, sixteen-year-old Lex's parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her ... (Goodreads)

  29. We Are All Made of Molecules

    by Susin Nielsen
    Two very different middle schoolers become step-siblings and must navigate their new family dynamic.

    Thirteen-year-old Stewart is academically brilliant but socially clueless. Fourteen-year-old Ashley is the undisputed “It” girl in her class, but her grades stink. Their worlds are about to collide ... (Goodreads)

  30. Prince of the Elves

    by Kazu Kibuishi
    The third book in the Amulet series. Emily and Navin must journey to the lost city of Cielis to save their mother and defeat the Elf King.

    THE ENEMY GROWS STRONGER... Emily survived the chaos of the Guardian Academy, but Max Griffin has stolen the Mother Stone. With it, the Elf King forges new Amulets that will give him the power to ... (Goodreads)