Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: Strays Like Us, by Richard Peck

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Today I'm joining in with a newly-discovered blog hop with loads of reviews of Middle Grade fiction (books for roughly ages 8-12): Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays, hosted by Greg Pattrige of Always in the Middle.

This book isn't new, but it's one of many by a favorite writer that aren't at the library, so I picked up the ebook a while ago and finally read it over the holidays.

Strays Like Us

 

Title: Strays Like Us

Author: Richard Peck

Publisher: original hardback, Dial 1998, 160 pages. Kindle edition 162 pages.

Source: Purchased Kindle ebook

Publisher's Blurb:
Molly Moberly knows she doesn't belong in this small Missouri town with her great-aunt Fay. It's just a temporary arrangement--until her mother gets out of the hospital. But then Molly meets Will, a fellow stray, and begins to realize she's not the only one on the outside. In fact, it seems like the town's full of strays--only some end up where they belong sooner than others. Richard Peck has created a rich, compassionate story that will go straight to the heart of every kid who's ever felt like an outsider.

My Review:
I maybe didn't love this more-or-less contemporary novel the way I love A Long Way from Chicago or Here Lies the Librarian. But as I read, I definitely could see the hand of the author of those beloved books here, creating a believable young character, perhaps more wounded than those of his more popular works, but a thoughtful young person who is watched over by an older relative who is almost certainly kin to Grandma Dowdell.

One thing that did seem mostly to be lacking in this book, and the reason it doesn't move farther up my list, is that Peck's trademark humor is pretty seriously muted here. I think I like him better when things are just a little less grim, and the narrator a little more self-deprecating. I think I also just really like his historical fiction.

Still, it's a good read and Molly's insight--that the middle-school kids are nearly all strays one way or another, in her town or any other--is one that could be helpful to kids at any time.

My Recommendation:
There is some pretty serious stuff in here, but it's handled well, so I'd say this is for kids maybe 10 and up.


©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2024
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Comments

  1. BethJanuary 8, 2024 at 6:15 AM

    Great review of a Richard Peck book I missed reading. Thank you, Rebecca for sharing. Beth Schmelzer, schmelzb1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Greg PattridgeJanuary 8, 2024 at 7:54 AM

    Welcome to MMGM! Thanks for the recommend of a Richard Peck book I had not read. I've added it to my future read list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rebecca M. DouglassJanuary 8, 2024 at 10:01 AM

      Thanks! I got curious when something mentioned the number of books he has published and it was a lot more than I'd seen at the library!

      Delete
  3. Natalie AguirreJanuary 8, 2024 at 11:33 AM

    I'm so glad you joined MMGM. I haven't read anything by Richard Peck. I'm adding this one to my TBR list. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rebecca M. DouglassJanuary 9, 2024 at 10:41 AM

      I wouldn't start here--I'd go with one of the others I mentioned.

      Delete
  4. Rosi HollinbeckJanuary 8, 2024 at 9:03 PM

    I haven't read this one, but I do like some of his other books. Thanks for giving me a heads up on this one. It sounds like something I might like.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Valinora TroyJanuary 9, 2024 at 4:06 AM

    I am not familiar with this author but it sounds like he can handle more serious topics very well. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rebecca M. DouglassJanuary 9, 2024 at 10:57 AM

      Seems like he wrote in at least 3 main areas--contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and ghost stories. I haven't read much if any of the latter, but think they may tend more to humor than horror.

      Delete
  6. Linda BrowneJanuary 9, 2024 at 9:40 AM

    I agree with you, Rebecca. I never liked Richard Peck’s earlier books as a kid, but as rediscovered him as an adult and loved him for precisely the reasons you list. I wonder if it took him awhile to find his voice?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rebecca M. DouglassJanuary 9, 2024 at 10:57 AM

      It's true that the books I love are mostly the later ones.

      Delete
  7. Maria AntoniaJanuary 10, 2024 at 4:16 AM

    I do love reading old books in addition to the new ones being published. It's neat to see which ones stand the test of time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rebecca M. DouglassJanuary 11, 2024 at 2:57 PM

      Yes. And I often relate better to the ones that more reflect my childhood--which was a fair while ago and rather different from most today.

      Delete
  8. Carol BaldwinJanuary 10, 2024 at 8:47 AM

    Welcome to MMGM. I love Richard Peck so found your review to be insightful.

    ReplyDelete

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