Murphy's Island

The Murphys #5

by Colleen O'Shaughnessy McKenna

Collette is excited about entering the sixth grade, but when her parents suddenly decide to move the family to a small island, Collette is treated like an outsider in her new school

Genres: Childrens

198 pages, Library Binding

First published November 1, 1990

About the author

A former elementary school teacher, Colleen O'Shaughnessy McKenna lives in Pittsburgh with her family. She is best known for her Murphy series, based on her own family.

Reviews

[Xyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently this is book 5 in the Murphy series by Colleen O'Shaughnessy McKenna, but enjoying it is not dependent on the previous books. It stands alone well. It really made me reflect on

The main character, Collette, is the eldest in the Murphy family ready to take on 6th grade! [That's the last year in elementary school (if you district is organized that way).] But her family is moving away for four months and they chose to live where they spend their summer vacation. This is where the first conflict begins.

In my area, the residents of one shore (or more) shore town call the tourists "shoebie" or "shoe-bee." It definitely fits many of those who visit the area and feel they are entitled to do whatever they want because they are contributing to the economy of the destination. On Put-in-Bay island the term is even worse; they are called "tourons." "Half tourist, half moron." If they moved to Scotland they'd be sassenach or maybe not since the Murphy's are Irish and would possibly speak Gaelic...

Anyway, moving to a new town anywhere is hard, but here it's even harder. The resident population is very small and everyone knows almost everything about everyone AND aren't 100% welcoming to these new residents. It can be hared to try to blend in and learn the customs if no one is willing to teach you. In walks Brian. From the very beginning he is a wonderful friend to the Murphy family.

Collette is not all that observant or intuitive. She wants to be liked and fit in, but she also wants to be back in Pittsburgh. Tough battle there. Two of the local girls seem to take interest in her; one you see as being the mean girl(no surprise her family owns most of the touristy stuff on the island) the other is harder to place. I was unsure of her motives he entire story. Figured the two were playing good cop bad cop to trap Collette and humiliate her. Which sort of happened.

I was also waiting for the big blow up with Brian. It happened, but not with the results I had imagined, and much later than I expected.

I really liked this book (I wanted to take Collette aside a couple of times and give her a talking to too, but...) It's a good read. Timeless story.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know that I'm not a sixth grader, and this is way below my reading level, but I had to read it. Apparently the author is from where I live (Pittsburgh) and my best friend made me read this because its about a family that vacations where she goes and loves. So she felt like this book was written about her. I must admit it was cute. I wasn't blown away or anything, but let's face it, I was reading this kind of stuff when I was in third grade. So I just read it to please my friend. And I will admit I'm glad I did!

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Put-in-Bay fans will love this hokey family story.

I reread it regularly, then I go listen to Pat Dailey. . . "get away, winter was a bummer. I got some friends there with a house where I can stay. Put-In-Bay, I'm gonna have a good time. Everyday sittin' in the sunshine"

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was part of a large batch of Apple paperbacks that I recently bought online for my daughter..I have been reading some of them with her. This one is part of a series about the Murphy family. In this one, the Murphys are spending four months on an island while their dad tries a case nearby. The family must get used to a new school and environment. They learn that locals don't really like summer folk, but an accident brings the Murphys and their new neighbors closer together. An interesting tale about the relationship between people who live in a tourist area year round and those who just vacation there.

[Chynna Bolen · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was a lack of climax through out the entirety of the story, it was a very simple plot line and was an even simpler read. Honestly I would not recommend and I am glad to be removing it from my physical book shelf for it is a waste of space among my other books.

[Marna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had a great line where one of the younger kids said, "I hate spiders. I can never tell if they're looking at me." It's such a weird thing to say! And it's true! How would you know?!? Now I am paranoid about spiders and all their eyes. Are they watching me? MAYBE. You never know with spiders! I personally don't like stories where everyone is an asshole until there is a tragedy. Because then you have to be nice to basically still jerks and act super grateful. I didn't know this island existed and it's interesting! I didn't know there were islands in Ohio!

Anyway, I also live on an island but I timed it and I can walk to the hospital in six minutes. Maybe seven if I were really bleeding a lot. SO I don't have to be nice to any of my dead mother's friends who always thought I was trouble here comes trouble they thought I do remember the one cousin who tricks her into stealing from Zales? That is pretty serious for fifth grade or whatever the title is not exaggerating? i didn't steal but I did listen to bad music and wear eyeliner also badly. U know what I meant.

[Drucilla · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has been a while since I read this book, but I remember not enjoying it. It's just really boring.