The Stray and the Strangers

September 1, 2020
Told from the perspective of a stray dog, the story of refugee migration from the Middle East through Turkey and across the tumultuous waters of the Mediterranean Sea to the island of Lesvos in Greece. Kanella is a lonely stray, distrustful of both dogs and humans as she fends for herself. But when refugees begin to arrive, shivering, tattered, and afraid, Kanella finds new purpose and new companionship. Soon a makeshift camp is built to house the refugees before they embark on the next stage of their perilous journey. Kanella slowly grows accustomed to the camp community, befriending a worker who offers her water, food, and warmth. Most of the new strangers leave within a few days, but one little boy does not. His parents are missing. Like Kanella, he, too, is alone. The two share food and become playmates, and when the boy has nightmares, Kanella comforts him, snuggling close to him throughout the night. When officials visit for inspections, the futures of both Kanella and the little boy are called into question. An afterword both provides historical context and reveals that the story is based in fact. The simple, third-person, past-tense narration is tightly focused on Kanella's perceptions and experiences, a strategy that drives home for young middle graders how far kindness and compassion can go in making newcomers feel welcome. Based on a true story, a poignant, heartwarming introduction to the lives of refugees. (Historical fiction. 7-10)

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October 1, 2020

Gr 2-5-Kanella is a young stray dog, sneaking scraps from the fishermen at the dock and sleeping in a hollow tree, when boatloads of frightened strangers suddenly appear on the shores of her island home and change her life forever. She discovers compassion at the hands of a refugee camp volunteer, love in the arms of a lost boy, and hope in the eyes of those refusing to surrender. But what will become of Kanella when the camp where she has found a home is disbanded? Told from Kanella's perspective, some effort may be needed to grasp the human elements of each plot turn. However, Heighton drops sensory clues along the way-the taste of salt when Kanella licks the face of someone who has been crying, a firm grasp on her collar when she needs protection. These hints, coupled with Iwai's illustrations that open each chapter, will guide understanding. Those who have navigated the refugee experience or searched for a home will find a gentle and gratifyingly familiar tale, while readers who are unfamiliar with these subjects will hunger to learn more. There remain many open-ended questions about the characters' fates once they disappear from Kanella's small world, which may leave some readers unsatisfied and others inspired to create their own endings. VERDICT A tender and compassionate story; what this short chapter book lacks in excitement and action it makes up for in its depiction of the human (and canine) element of the world refugee crisis. Recommended for purchase in large collections.-Emily Beasley, Omaha Public Sch., NE

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