“When you learn how to use the anger inside you to create instead of destroy, you’ll realize it’s one of the greatest tools you’ll ever have.”
– Cecilia Galante, Strays Like Us
Strays Like Us is a poignant, character-driven story. Written by Cecilia Galante, this middle-grade read follows Fred as she tries to navigate her mother’s imprisonment AND life in foster care. Fred is a flawed preteen and her drastic change in circumstances brings about a torrid of emotions, frustrations, and heavier subject matter. Galante captures these in an age-appropriate, yet realistic manner. With the assistance of a new friend, her foster parent, and a helpless dog, Fred’s journey towards healing begins. Strays Like Us includes strong writing and good pacing. The ending is not the “and they all lived happily ever after” ending readers might long for, but the book’s message is one of bravery and hope. A thoughtful and beautiful read.
Review of an Advance Reading Copy
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Scholastic Press (A Scholastic Imprint)
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: 5 religious exclamations.
Violence/Gore: A character yells threats at another while holding a gun; a character physically assaults another; a character smashes a sculpture; in a brief scene of blood and gore, a dog is hit by a car.
Sex/Nudity: A sexual reference regarding teenage pregnancy.
Mature Subject Matter:
Foster care, anger issues, animal neglect and abuse, bullying, custody/dependency hearing, car accident, food stamps, theft and drug abuse, mention of death of family member by drowning, teen pregnancy.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
A minor finds empty pill bottles; an adult lies about taking pills in several scenes; an adult refuses drug treatment; a lady is mentioned to be smoking; a minor is asked to lie about presence of drugs in the home.
