The Strays Like Us

From the award-winning author of The Patron Saint of Butterflies andThe World from Up Here comes a story of a girl who finds friendship where she least expects it.

From the moment Fred (never Winifred!) spots a scruffy little mutt with sad eyes, she knows she's in big trouble. Toby's in bad shape, and Fred longs to rescue him from the old man with the mile-long mean streak who lives next door. But Margery -- the straight-talking woman who is fostering Fred -- says going over to their house is against the rules. And since Fred will only be around until her mother comes to grips with her dependence, Fred can't let herself care too deeply. Not about Toby or Margery or Delia, a new classmate whose insistent friendship surprises Fred at every turn. Because the more Fred lets this lovable band of misfits into her heart, the harder it'll be to leave them all behind.In this story of loss and love, acclaimed author Cecilia Galante examines life's difficult choices and how a girl plus the dog she loves can add up to finding family in the most unlikely places.

Cecilia Galante is the author of books for children, teens, and adults. Her books have received numerous awards, including a NAIBA Best Book of the Year and an Oprah's Teen Read Selection for her first novel, The Patron Saint of Butterflies. In addition to teaching eighth grade English, Cecilia also teaches fiction writing at Wilkes University's Graduate Creative Writing program. She lives in Kingston, Pennsylvania.