Books › Strider
Strider
First published 1991 · 192 pages
A heartfelt, diary-style journey of a young teen finding his footing through the love of a rescue dog and the rhythm of running.
What it feels like
Unfolding through a series of earnest diary entries, this grounded juvenile fiction offers a steady, reflective reading experience. The narrative captures the bittersweet reality of navigating a fractured family, balancing the lingering ache of divorce with the quiet, healing comfort of adopting an abandoned dog. The prose is direct and confessional, perfectly mirroring the authentic voice of a young teenager trying to make sense of his changing world. As the protagonist finds his stride—both literally on the school track team and emotionally in his personal life—the mood shifts from uncertain to quietly triumphant. It is a deeply relatable, comforting read for anyone who appreciates stories about resilience, the bond between humans and animals, and the everyday victories of growing up.
- Mood
- bittersweet
- comforting
- grounded
- Tone
- earnest
- reflective
- relatable
- hopeful
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- navigating family changes · healing power of pets · finding personal drive · adolescent transitions
- The writing
- Direct, confessional, and accessible, capturing the authentic voice of a young teenager processing his world.
- The arc
- Moves from the lingering uncertainty of family fracture toward a grounded sense of belonging and personal achievement.
- Who it's for
- Young readers looking for a relatable, grounded story about navigating family changes and finding comfort in animal companionship.
Content notes
- divorce
- animal abandonment
About the book
In a series of diary entries, Leigh tells how he comes to terms with his parents' divorce, acquires joint custody of an abandoned dog, and joins the track team at school.
Description from Open Library.
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