Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kids travel to another dimension in clever sci-fi adventure.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 11 kid reviews
Kids say this book is an engaging read that captivates young audiences with its mix of mystery, adventure, and relatable themes of family and teamwork. While many love the dynamic between the siblings and the thrilling plot, some older readers find the decisions made by characters predictable and the writing quality lacks depth.
- engaging for kids
- sibling dynamics
- predictable plot
- relatable themes
- thrilling adventure
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
At the start of THE STRANGERS, the Greystone kids -- Chess, Emma, and Finn -- see their mom react to news of a kidnapping involving kids with similar names and ages as themselves. Before they can question her, she suddenly leaves on a business trip, leaving them in the care of a neighbor, Ms. Morales, and her teen daughter Natalie. The Greystone kids notice strange clues left behind by their mom, and when they suspect she's in danger, their quest to solve these puzzles grows ever more urgent. Soon they're exploring a mysterious passageway beneath their house and wondering where they'll end up.
Is It Any Good?
Wondering what might have been fuels the plots of many science fiction novels, but this book keeps the alternate-world premise feeling fresh and exciting. The Greystone kids are a well-realized set of siblings, immediately recognizable as types, but with plenty of other layers to keep them interesting. Author Margaret Peterson Haddix sets up a captivating series of puzzles regarding their mother's whereabouts, and the solutions are riveting and smart. Suspenseful all the way through, The Strangers ends on a cliffhanger, and young readers will be clamoring for more.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the alternative universe in The Strangers. Why are stories about alternate universes popular? Why is it appealing -- or scary -- to wonder if someone very similar to you lives in another dimension?
What do you think about the puzzles in The Strangers? Do you think you could solve a mystery by solving puzzles?
In times of trouble, how can family members work together to keep one another safe? What practical steps can you take to prepare for a disaster?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : STEM , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Katherine Tegen Books
- Publication date : April 2, 2019
- Number of pages : 420
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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