Lynda Mullaly Hunt at a Glance

Full Name: Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Pronunciation: LIN-duh muh-LAY-lee HUNT

Born: 1960

Nationality: United States

Education:

• University of Connecticut (BA, Education)
• University of Connecticut (M.Ed, Education)

Genres:

• Middle grade fiction

Biography & Background

Lynda Mullaly Hunt Biography

Lynda Mullaly Hunt is a former teacher and current best-selling author of books for young readers. Her work explores themes of perseverance, resilience, and the importance of celebrating diversity.

Mullaly grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut, where she lived and worked until a recent move to Cape Cod, Massachusetts—the setting of her 2019 book, Shouting at the Rain. Her brother Michael Eric died at age three, and she cites this early experience with grief as a motivator for her writing. As a child, she wrote songs for her lost brother, which taught her the power of writing as a means of processing difficult emotions. Later, her work as a teacher taught her to appreciate the fun and silly side of writing. She wrote her first published book, One for the Murphy’s, at the local Barnes & Noble bookstore where she had joined a writers’ group. Over many mornings drafting at a table by the window, she befriended the bookstore staff, and they threw her a launch party when the book was released.

Mullaly’s novel Fish in a Tree (2016) was a New York Times bestseller and won the American Library Association’s Schneider Family Book Award. Her books have received numerous other awards and appeared on best-of lists for young readers. When not traveling to promote her books, she lives with her husband on Cape Cod.

Fun Facts About Lynda Mullaly Hunt

• As a teacher, Mullaly Hunt often asked her students to grade her own deliberately bad writing. The chance to give the teacher an F motivated the students, who learned about grammar and narrative structure by explaining their grading decisions.
• While caring for her two young children, Mullaly Hunt joined a writing group at her local bookstore. This community motivated her to begin her writing career.
• Mullaly Hunt struggled with reading as a child and has always suspected that she might have dyslexia, like the protagonist of Fish in a Tree.

Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s Awards & Honors

• 2014 — Global Read Aloud Choice (One for the Murphys)
• 2016 — Schneider Family Book Award from the American Library Association (Fish in a Tree)
• 2016 — American Library Association Notable Book (Fish in a Tree)

Interviews & Podcasts

Hear from Lynda Mullaly Hunt in her own words.

Interviews with Lynda Mullaly Hunt

_{PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY}

A Q&A with Lynda Mullaly Hunt (May 2, 2019)

Mullaly Hunt reflects on the emotional honesty behind Fish in a Tree, drawing connections between her experiences as a struggling student and the book’s protagonist. The interview offers valuable insights into how vulnerability and lived experience shape her storytelling.

_{MASSACHUSETTS CENTER FOR THE BOOK}

Lynda Mullaly Hunt Answers Our Questions about Reader Connections (July 21, 2023)

In this thoughtful conversation, Mullaly Hunt discusses how readers—especially young ones—connect deeply to her books. She reflects on literature’s power to offer comfort, understanding, and representation to students who feel unseen.

Podcasts with Lynda Mullaly Hunt

_{BOOK CLUB FOR KIDS}

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt (April 26, 2017)

This podcast episode features a roundtable of young readers discussing Fish in a Tree, followed by an interview with Mullaly Hunt herself. She speaks candidly about dyslexia, great teachers, and the story’s personal roots.

_{LET’S GET BUSY PODCAST}

Lynda Mullaly Hunt (February 2, 2015)

Mullaly Hunt shares how her childhood and teaching background shaped her writing. This early interview offers a glimpse into her journey from educator to author and her commitment to uplifting students through literature.

Lynda Mullaly Hunt Quotes

Mr. Daniels [in Fish in a Tree] is based on my sixth-grade teacher Mr. Christy. I realized about halfway through writing it that Fish in a Tree is a love letter to him and all teachers like him.

— from author website (FAQ about Fish in a Tree)

I feel like the things I should say are the things I can’t say. And the things I could say are the things I shouldn’t say.

— One for the Murphys (2012)

As the writer we have to crawl into our own basement sometimes in order to get it on the page. Both of the books that I have written make me feel very vulnerable in this regard. They’re honest. And they are me.

— from author website (FAQ about Fish in a Tree)

Everyone is smart in different ways. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life thinking that it’s stupid

— Fish in a Tree (2015)

So many teachers don’t even know they are saving children. I love teachers who see children and not just students.

— interview with Publisher’s Weekly (Interview with Publisher’s Weekly, 2019)

Notable Books by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

One for the Murphys (2012)

This debut novel tells the story of Carley Connors, a girl placed in foster care who unexpectedly finds kindness and belonging with the Murphy family. The book’s exploration of vulnerability, trust, and healing make this a heartfelt and hopeful narrative for young readers.

Explore the full breakdown with SuperSummary’s study guide.

Shouting at the Rain (2019)

Set in Cape Cod, this novel follows Delsie, a weather-obsessed girl who feels like the only person without a “real” family. As she navigates shifting friendships and a deepening curiosity about her absent mother, Delsie learns to redefine what family and belonging truly mean.

Ready to dig in? Check out SuperSummary’s study guide.

Authors Like Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Katherine Paterson

Recommended Read: The Great Gilly Hopkins (1978)

This classic centers on Gilly, a foster child who discovers unexpected love and acceptance. Paterson and Mullaly Hunt both write compassionately about kids who face adversity and discover the surprising power of found families.

Explore the full breakdown with SuperSummary’s study guide.

Patricia Reilly Giff

Recommended Read: Pictures of Hollis Woods (2002)

Told through a mix of present-day events and flashbacks, this novel follows Hollis, a talented artist who longs for a family. Readers who appreciate Mullaly Hunt’s focus on self-discovery and belonging will connect with Hollis’s story.

Uncover more about this novel with SuperSummary’s study guide.

Claire Swinarski

Recommended Read: What Happened to Rachel Riley? (2023)

In this contemporary middle grade mystery, a new student investigates a classmate’s unexplained absence and unearths issues of bullying and injustice. Like Mullaly Hunt’s work, the novel tackles serious topics with heart and hope.

Want to learn more? Dive into SuperSummary’s study guide.

Follow Linda Mullaly Hunt

Connect with Linda Mullaly Hunt on the following platforms:

• Website: lyndamullalyhunt.com
• Bluesky: @lyndamh.bsky.social