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It all starts when Matthew observes a heroic scene in a convenience store: A man named Murdoch puts himself between an abusive father and his son. Matt is determined to get to know this man. And when, amazingly, Murdoch begins dating Matt’s mother, it seems as if life may become peaceful... read more

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Summary edit see section history

Matthew, Callie, and Emmy are siblings trying to survive in their mother's mad house. Matthew loses hope. But when Murdoch appears and saves a child in a store, Matthew has hope. Matthew is even more thrilled when Murdoch dates his mother, things can't be worse. Everything seems to e alright,... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Matthew, Callie, and Emmy are siblings trying to survive in their mother's mad house. Matthew loses hope. But when Murdoch appears and saves a child in a store, Matthew has hope. Matthew is even more thrilled when Murdoch dates his mother, things can't be worse. Everything seems to e alright, until Murdoch dumps her. Can Matthew wait for Murdoch to save him? Or does he have to take matters into his own hands?

Characters/People edit see section history

  • Matthew: The main character, is the oldest of his mother's abuse. Is narating this story which is a letter for his younger sister Emmy. -A.S.Matthew is the oldest of the three, and is telling their life story througout this book for his sister emmy. -G.W. Matthew is the main character. He is writing the book to Emmy Who is baby at the time of the story. His whole life basicly consists of protecting himself and his two sisters from their abusive Mom. He is very smart and able to make good decisions.RA.
  • Callie: Matthew's little sister and his closest friend. Matt goes to her with his secrets and together they help keep their younger half sister Emmy alive and survive their Mother's sick games. -A.S.Callie is Matt's sister who is closest to his age. Her and matt try to stick together and protect emmy from their crazy mother. - G.W. Callie and Matt stick together through thick and thin. They have each others back and love each other a lot. dispite a feww differences they do their best to protect themselves and Emmy from Nikki.RA.
  • Rob: Matt's mother uses him to "hurt" Murdoch, because of drugs, Murdoch easily takes him. Rob is both harmed and thrown in jail because of what he did. -A.S.Rob is one of Nikki's 'friends'. Nikki lures him in with cocaine then convinces him to beat up Murdoch, which he fails to do. -G.W. Rob is one tool Nikki uses to do her evil deeds. He is really non-essential to the plot.RA.
  • Murdoch: Matt first sees him in a store and instantly thinks he can help. He later discovers who he is and Matt's mother meets him. Murdoch wants to help but isn't exactly sure how to. -A.S.Matt see's Murdoch react to a father being mean to his child and he realizes that he needs someone like Murdoch in his life. Matt and his sister try to search for him and eventually get his phone number. Murdoch is in their life for awhile but learns of Nikki's ways. Murdoch understands they need help but he doesn't know what to do. - G.W. Murdoch, is a man Matt saw in a corner store reacting to a child beating from the kids dad. immediately matt knew he was the man for his mom. matt found murdoch and got their mom and him to date. it was a while but then murdoch found nikki's reall personality and he is confused. Murdoch man that Matt sees sticking up for a kid in a store. Matt right away knows that he needs Murdoch in his life. He starts dating their Mom and for awhile he is all they have.Murdoch truly wants to help, but he finds himself in an akward situation. In the end we find out that Murdoch killed his own abusive father when he was younger. RA.
  • Emmy: Matthew's half sister, Matthew is writing this story for her. Even though he doesn't want her to know the truth yet, he knows someday she will have to. -A.S.Emmy is Matt and Callie's half sister and she is the youngest. Emmy is young at can't recall all of the events that have gone on so Matt is writting this book for her. -G.W. Emmy is Matt's younger sister who he is writing the book for. she is very young when the book is happening. Matt wants her to know what happened so he writes about it for her. She is very stubborn and also a special target of Nikki's. RA.
  • Nikki: The abusive irresponsible mother of Emmy, Calli and Mathew. Grew up with Aunt Bobbie and dated Murdoch.
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “Demons are real. Since im not religious, I think of them as metaphors for the evil desires and impulses all humans have. A religious person can think of them as separate evil beings that can possess you. Either way, I believe they do exist, lurking patiently around and in us, whispering their twisted points of view, ever alert for an opportunity. The sudden chink in your armor when your tired, frightened, or angry. The invitation you issue in that moment of vulnerability.”
    Matthew
  • “There was no point calling anybody else or expecting anybody else to help. Nobody ever helped, not when it mattered. I might even have had some vague vindictive thought that that would show them all. And that I didn't need anyone anyway.”
    Matthew

First Sentence edit see section history

Dear Emmy, As I write this, you are nine years old, too young to be told the full and true story of our family's past, let alone be exposed to my philosophizing about what it all meant.

Table of Contents edit see section history

1. Murdoch
2. About Fear
3. My First Memory
4. Searching For Murdoch
5. My Birthday Present
6. Nicole (Nikki) Marie O' Grady Walsh
7. Portuguese Seafood Paella
8. Miracle Summer
9. On The Rocks
10. Callie's Dream
11. The Breakup
12. Fun, Fun, Fun
13. Fathers
14. Things Usually Work Out Okay
15. The Rules of Survival
16. Prayer
17. "Telling"
18. Callie's Plan
19. Demons
20. Church
21. Right Afterward
22. Aunt Bobbie
23. First Blood
24. The Neighbor
25. Murdoch's Demons
26. Property
27. Liar
28. Get Rid of Her
29. Allies
30. Nowhere To Go
31. Sisters
32. Julie Lindemann Again
33. The New Benjamin Walsh
34. Callie
35. A Family Christmas
36. Christmas Eve
37. Men Are Idiots
38. Crash
39. The Price of Freedom
40. Family Meeting
41. My Own Room
42. The Adults
43. Homecomings
44. This Homecoming
45.War Zone
46. Tantrum
47. My Fault
48. Unknown Number
49. Port of Boston
50. The O.K. Corral
51. Like Me
52. My Promise
53. P.S.

Glossary edit see section history

  • practitioner: a person engaged in the practice of a profession, occupation
  • pacify: to bring or restore to a state of peace or tranquillity; quiet; calm
  • premed: a program of premedical study or training.
  • communing: to converse or talk together, usually with profound intensity, intimacy
  • belligerent: warlike; given to waging war

Series & Lists edit see section history

This book is in none. (standard series)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Nancy Werlin (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: Add the language.
Publisher: Add the publisher.
Country: Add the country of publication.
Publication Date: 2006
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: 272

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Young Adults

This book contains adult language, adult situations, and kids having to fend for themselves. It also contains abuse.


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