Parents' Guide to

Strays

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Gripping story of teen entering foster care.

Book Ron Koertge Contemporary Fiction 2007
Strays Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

See all

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

After Ted's parents are killed in a car accident he enters the foster care system and is placed with the Rafters. There's the husband, a by-the-book ex-military type, and the wife, a little wigged-out since the death of her baby at birth. And there are two other foster kids -- C.W. and Astin. Ted's parents ran a pet shop, and didn't have much time for, or interest in, Ted, but he still misses them and, as he's awkward around other people, he's lonely and isolated. But he does have one solace -- he can talk to animals, and all over town they seem to know him, and are kind and sympathetic. But Astin, a gruff, body-building, motorcycle-riding tough guy, takes an interest in Ted, and helps him connect with other people.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Though the plot is minimal, STRAYS is absolutely impossible to put down. Ron Koertge accomplishes this mainly with two ingredients. The first is compelling characters -- not just the narrator, Ted, who can talk with animals both real and imaginary, but especially Astin, his older roommate. Astin is every wimp's dream of a friend -- powerful, competent, wise, and mostly kind -- who not only protects Ted but also teaches him how to begin to cope with the world.

The second is the intriguing element of magic realism. Ted's ability to communicate with animals is handled with great subtlety and a very light, offhand touch. It's never really clear whether it's all in Ted's imagination or not, but it adds delightful and very poignant depth to his loneliness and isolation among humans. It's the perfect, lovely touch that raises this novel above the norm, and gives it unusual heart and resonance.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the magic realism of the book. Does Ted really talk to animals, or is it all in his head? If it's real, why would he have this ability? If it's not, why would he be imagining this?

  • Do you think there's any reason for kids from intact families to read about kids like Ted? What might it help these teens learn?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended book lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate