Straydog

A powerful debut novel A female collie mix, so beautiful, all gold and white and dirty; she's in the last cage on the aisle, curled up quiet, watching everything but when I get too close she goes completely crazy, biting at the bars, herself, anything in reach, until I back off and away. Her growl's like ripping metal, jagged, dangerous, and strong . . . Don't mess with me, that growl says. I may be in a cage but I can still bite. Rachel is happiest when she's volunteering at the animal shelter, especially after she meets the feral collie she names Grrl: they're both angry and alone. When a teacher encourages her to write about the dog, Rachel finds another outlet for her pain and frustration. Writing about Grrl is easy. But teaching Grrl to trust her is a much tougher task. And when Griffin, the new boy in school, devises a plan to bring Grrl home, Rachel finds that the dog isn't the only one who must learn to trust. Kathe Koja offers a raw and emotional tale about a girl who risks breaking out of her own cage to find the help she needs.

Kathe Koja is the author of several novels for adults. She lives in the Detroit area with her husband and teenage son.

"Smart, angry, and alone, Rachel doesn't fit in . . .She feels best when she's writing and when she's volunteering at the animal shelter, especially after a feral collie appears, whom she names Grrl. . . strong characters, rich detail, and well-articukated emotions." --Booklist