"A heartbreaking, satisfying, ultimately uplifting story about a puppy in need of a home. Strays is perfection." --Barbara O''Connor, New York Times -bestselling author of Wish "Funny. Touching. Empowering. A necessary read for anyone who''s ever felt like they didn''t belong. Every stray deserves a loving home." --Ellen Hopkins, New York Times -bestselling author of What About Will and Closer to Nowhere "With tenderness and luminous clarity, Gia Gordon delivers a middle-grade novel that honors the kids who feel lost, left behind, or unseen.

Through Campbell''s fierce compassion for a frightened stray dog and her aching hope for connection, Strays explores friendship, family fractures, and the quiet bravery it takes to choose kindness in a world that doesn''t always return it. Gordon''s writing is effortless and intimate--funny one moment, heartbreaking the next--capturing the messy, resilient hearts of real tweens on the edge of change and the adults that learn to heal alongside them. A beautifully crafted story that will stay with readers long after the final page." --David Bowles, award-winning author of They Call Me Güero and The Smoking Mirror "One day, Campbell Cole''s life takes an unexpected turn when she sees a helpless dog being dropped out of a van window, like trash. She will not stand for this. Who would do such a thing? With the help of her best friend, Luz Bernal, the two girls embark on a mission to rescue the stray dog, before it''s too late. Readers will root for Campbell and Luz in this big-hearted, beautifully-told story about a young girl''s courage, the power of taking risks, the healing bonds of friendship and found community, and about finding purpose and joy in unexpected places. This story will make anyone want to take the risk.

you never know what new purpose it will give you." --Anna Lapera, author of Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice , a Best Book of the Year ( School Library Journal , Booklist , New York Public Library) and a 2025 International Literacy Association Honor Book ts that learn to heal alongside them. A beautifully crafted story that will stay with readers long after the final page." --David Bowles, award-winning author of They Call Me Güero and The Smoking Mirror "One day, Campbell Cole''s life takes an unexpected turn when she sees a helpless dog being dropped out of a van window, like trash. She will not stand for this. Who would do such a thing? With the help of her best friend, Luz Bernal, the two girls embark on a mission to rescue the stray dog, before it''s too late. Readers will root for Campbell and Luz in this big-hearted, beautifully-told story about a young girl''s courage, the power of taking risks, the healing bonds of friendship and found community, and about finding purpose and joy in unexpected places. This story will make anyone want to take the risk.

you never know what new purpose it will give you." --Anna Lapera, author of Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice , a Best Book of the Year ( School Library Journal , Booklist , New York Public Library) and a 2025 International Literacy Association Honor Book>Booklist, New York Public Library) and a 2025 International Literacy Association Honor Bookts that learn to heal alongside them. A beautifully crafted story that will stay with readers long after the final page." --David Bowles, award-winning author of They Call Me Güero and The Smoking Mirror "One day, Campbell Cole''s life takes an unexpected turn when she sees a helpless dog being dropped out of a van window, like trash. She will not stand for this. Who would do such a thing? With the help of her best friend, Luz Bernal, the two girls embark on a mission to rescue the stray dog, before it''s too late. Readers will root for Campbell and Luz in this big-hearted, beautifully-told story about a young girl''s courage, the power of taking risks, the healing bonds of friendship and found community, and about finding purpose and joy in unexpected places. This story will make anyone want to take the risk.

you never know what new purpose it will give you." --Anna Lapera, author of Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice , a Best Book of the Year ( School Library Journal , Booklist , New York Public Library) and a 2025 International Literacy Association Honor Bookts that learn to heal alongside them. A beautifully crafted story that will stay with readers long after the final page." --David Bowles, award-winning author of They Call Me Güero and The Smoking Mirror "One day, Campbell Cole''s life takes an unexpected turn when she sees a helpless dog being dropped out of a van window, like trash. She will not stand for this. Who would do such a thing? With the help of her best friend, Luz Bernal, the two girls embark on a mission to rescue the stray dog, before it''s too late. Readers will root for Campbell and Luz in this big-hearted, beautifully-told story about a young girl''s courage, the power of taking risks, the healing bonds of friendship and found community, and about finding purpose and joy in unexpected places. This story will make anyone want to take the risk.

you never know what new purpose it will give you." --Anna Lapera, author of Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice , a Best Book of the Year ( School Library Journal , Booklist , New York Public Library) and a 2025 International Literacy Association Honor Book>Booklist, New York Public Library) and a 2025 International Literacy Association Honor Book>Booklist, New York Public Library) and a 2025 International Literacy Association Honor Bookts that learn to heal alongside them. A beautifully crafted story that will stay with readers long after the final page." --David Bowles, award-winning author of They Call Me Güero and The Smoking Mirror "One day, Campbell Cole''s life takes an unexpected turn when she sees a helpless dog being dropped out of a van window, like trash. She will not stand for this. Who would do such a thing? With the help of her best friend, Luz Bernal, the two girls embark on a mission to rescue the stray dog, before it''s too late. Readers will root for Campbell and Luz in this big-hearted, beautifully-told story about a young girl''s courage, the power of taking risks, the healing bonds of friendship and found community, and about finding purpose and joy in unexpected places. This story will make anyone want to take the risk.

you never know what new purpose it will give you." --Anna Lapera, author of Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice , a Best Book of the Year ( School Library Journal , Booklist , New York Public Library) and a 2025 International Literacy Association Honor Book>Booklist, New York Public Library) and a 2025 International Literacy Association Honor BookMani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice, a Best Book of the Year ( School Library Journal , Booklist , New York Public Library) and a 2025 International Literacy Association Honor Book>Booklist, New York Public Library) and a 2025 International Literacy Association Honor Book.