Murphy's Boy | 
 enlarge | Author: Torey Hayden
Publisher: Avon
Category: Book
List Price: $7.50
Buy Used: $3.58
You Save: $3.92 (52%)
New (2) Used (19) Collectible (1) from $3.58
Avg. Customer Rating:  35 reviews
Sales Rank: 21338
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.9 x 4.2 x 1
ISBN: 0380652277
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780380652273
ASIN: 0380652277
Publication Date: December 1, 1983
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Some wear on book from reading, spine creases, wear on binding and pages.
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Product Description
His name was Kevin but his keepers called him Zoo Boy. He didn't talk. He hid under tables and surrounded himself with a cage of chairs. He hadn't been out of the building in the four years since he'd come in. He was afraid of water and wouldn't take a shower. He was afraid to be naked, to change his clothes. He was nearly 16. Desperate to see change in the boy, the staff of Kevin's adolescent treatment center hired Hayden. As Hayden read to him and encouraged him to read, crawling down into his cage of chairs with him, Kevin talked.Then he started to draw and paint and showed himself to have a quick wit and a rolling, seething, murderous hatred for his stepfather.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 30 more reviews...
 The Best Book Ever September 6, 2008
This book is quite possibly the best book i've ever read. I must go out and buy more of Torey Hayden's books, I am hooked. I was clinging to every page, staying awake all night to see what happened next. Her devotion and patience with these kids is astounding. The way she cared about Kevin amazed me. The way she practicly sacraficed her life for this child, just to see him come through to the other side. It brings me for the troubled children in my life. I know now that i can make a difference.
 quite a good read August 31, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
In my opinion Torey have written better books, but none the less it wos still a good read, a must for all Torey Hayden fans!
Kevin..a true miracle!!! May 12, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Kevin Richter is a 15 year old boy who has spent the last 8 years of his life in silence. Everyone thinks he is a hopeless case. Everyone, except Torey Hayden. A wonderful woman with expertise in elective mutism. Hayden works miracles with 15 year old Kevin and discovers his past, a horror story no one will forget! This book takes you through Kevin's life, his past and present. When all else fails and no one believes Kevin can turn his life around, Torey comes through once again. So sit back and relax with this book, and let it take you to a past unforgettable.
will make you angry February 1, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Teacher Torey Hayden takes an unusual case, a fifteen year old boy named Kevin who doesn't speak, or is "electively mute." With Torey's help, Kevin begins to speak again. His progress at the hospital, however, is erratic because of horrifying circumstances that brought him into custodial care. His sister was beaten to death by their alcoholic father, and the father also physically abused Kevin, and urged his sisters to abuse him sexually as well.
As one might expect,the road to recovery is not smooth at all. Kevin is given several placements with foster parents and other caretakers which do not work out. However, with Torey's aid, Kevin begins taking small steps toward becoming independent. In the end, he goes to high school and survives the academic and social challenges. He also finds a group home that caters to mentally disabled adults and does well there. An inspiring story.
Not bad November 23, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The first part of this book seemed very slow to me. I didn't want to keep reading it at first. I'm sure in reality, that mimics Hayden's feelings about working with Kevin, but it's not the best way to entice readers.
About halfway through the book, however, it really stepped up and became interesting. Once some of Kevin's background was revealed and there was more action from him in the story, I didn't want to put the book down.
I would encourage people who enjoy abuse or therapy type books to read this story; just remember to hang in there if the first part seems slow. I do believe this is a much better book than A Child Called It, which I have also recently read.
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