Strays Like Us by Cecilia Galante

Publisher: Scholastic
On Sale Date: June 26th 2018
Pages: 320
Age Range: Middle Grade

*this review contains spoilers 
Twelve year-old Winnifred is placed in the temporary care of a foster mom. This because her own mom got arrested at her work, probably for stealing medication. Her foster mother Margery is strict but super friendly though. Then one day Winnifred notices something. There is a dog barking constantly in the backyard of Margery's neighbor. The dog is on a leash that is bound to a pole and he can't move and is obviously neglected in a serious way. No wonder he is barking. When Winnifred discover's that the agressive man that owns him also doesn't give him any food or good care, she tries to stop it and give him food through the fence, but the neighbor is shooing her away and threatening her. With her new friend from school though, one afternoon they go back to try to feed the dog, and then they hear someone in distress calling for help inside the house. 

A few days later the dog Toby is completely different one, as he is fed well and cared for by Winnifred, as his owner is in the hospital. After being bound to the pole, he loves that Winnifred takes him on walks and let's him run freely, and they become best friends. But a few months later, his owner get's out of the hospital and Winnifred hears from her social worker that her mom is out of jail and wants her to live with her again, and Winnifred seems to have to say farewell to the nice new live that she started to love..

Strays Like Us is a book that is entertaining and adorable at the same time. It was very moving how Winnifred had to adjust to all the new rules in her new life, and how she met Toby and tries to save him. It was all beautifully written, everything was all in the right place at the right time in the story. The end though was heartbreaking, as Toby is involved in a serious accident that puts his live in danger, and Winnifred has to adjusts again to new situations. Overall this is a beautiful middle grade book about courage and friendship and I truly recommend reading this gem of a book!