Strays

Could life as a foster kid lead to unexpected benefits? A teenager's link to animals gives way to human connection in a smart, incisive new novel. Sixteen-year-old Ted O'Connor's parents just died in a fiery car crash, and now he's stuck with a set of semi-psycho foster parents, two foster brothers Astin, the cocky gearhead, and C.W., the sometimes gangsta and an inner-city high school full of delinquents. He's having pretty much the worst year of his miserable life. Or so he thinks. Is it possible that becoming an orphan is not the worst thing that could have happened to him? Master novelist Ron Koertge brings his best work yet, a smart, surprising story full of trademark wit and sharp insight about a boy learning to run with a new pack.

Ron Koertge is the author of many celebrated novels, including MARGAUX WITH AN X, STONER AND SPAZ, THE ARIZONA KID, WHERE THE KISSING NEVER STOPS, and THE BRIMSTONE JOURNALS. He lives in South Pasadena, California.