Born into a life he would never choose, sixteen year-old Ted O’Connor, is stuck living with psychopathic foster parents and three foster brothers, after his parents death which was caused by a car crash. Ted O'Connor has no choice on what his path in life will be, as he is living in a gangsta environment in the inner parts of his city. Ted O'Connor attends a high school full of bad, despicable, and untrustworthy students that are sure to mislead him. Concerning this problem, Ted O’Conner states, “I don’t know where I am,” and“Summer school’s a drag”(Koertge 127-128)   Ted O’Conner does not have one authority over what destiny he will take in this gang affiliated and evil environment, but is sure to do what it takes to change his life in the present.

Stories of what it would feel like to live in a urban city environment but still having hope and faith on life. The chains of school, friends, and teenage lifestyles keep a hold of life. Even so, Koertge gives Ted O’ Connor a personal life of struggle, for example, psychotic foster parents and school problems. Koertge adds a little bit of some humor into a not so much well life. Koertge makes the character ,Ted O’Connor, a bit cruel and cold towards his own personal life and past by stating, “ Free as a bird” is a dumb thing to say,” and,”They eat, mate, and die,” and lastly,” Which is what my parents did”-referring to his past when his parents died by a car accident (Koertge 43). This story might seem bad and cold hearted at first but that's not all.

Strays is not for kids, mainly for 18 and older; because they will be able to understand the life of Ted O’Conner through his own eyes as a teenager, and also because this book has a lot of foul language and violence. Young adults would be able to emphasize and relate to a struggle in life like Ted O’Conner’s. Not only will this novel give you a sense of hope, but will also show you how to live a life as a teenager to the best of your ability even though times might seem rough.