The Stranger Next Door

by Peg Kehret and Pete the Cat

Book Overview

A clever cat's heroism helps two twelve-year-old boys become friends after their families, one of which is in a witness protection program, move to neighboring houses in Hilltop, Washington This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0525468293
• ISBN13: 9780525468295
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Dutton Books
• Length: 162 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.9" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

Brittany's review

There is a new kid on the block and his name is Alex. He has to start at a new school, and he also has to make new friends. On his first week of school he gets bullied by these two boys, they say the only reason why they dont like him is because he lives on their dirtbike trails. You see alex's house is brand new. Were the houses are thats where their dirtbike trails were. Thats why they are mean to him. Then this new kid moves next door. Alex thought that it is going to be really hard on him hes new and he lives on their dirtbike trail also. At lunch that day alex decided to sit by the new kid. HE sat down and introduced himself and the boy didnt say anything. After that the bullies came and was making fun of the boy. Alex and Rocky the new kid start to talk then a big accident happends.! the book was one of the best books i have ever read!!!!

Mysteries in Vally View Estates

Alex is less than thrilled when his family moves into a new housing development. The 12-year-old has left his old school and friends behind, and his new classmates blame him because the new houses were built over their old dirt-bike paths. He becomes hopeful when a family with a son his age moves in next door. However, sullen Rocky is not responsive to Alex's attempts at friendship. Things get worse when street signs begin disappearing and fires start in the neighborhood, one destroying Rocky's house. Alex is sure that the boy is hiding something. Part of the story is told from the point of view of Alex's cat Pete, who can understand the speech of humans, even if they can only interpret his meows as demands for food in return. The feline helps to solve the mystery and to save Alex's life from being burnt in a house.

Brittany's Review

This book keeps you on the edge of your seat when you read it. There is this kid and his name is Alex and he and his family just moved into this brand new house just built. The neighbour hood is called Valley View Estates. There is this new family moving in next to him and he hopes there is a boy his age moving in. This book was great and it was over in a jiffy!

trever review

The Kedndrill family moved to a new housing development. The Morris family had to move from Washington to South Calaforina because they are in the witness protection program and the reason they are in it is because Rocky's dad is a drug dealer and the morris helped the FBI get him. The mob wonts to kill them so the moved. Rockys mom had to go back to washington to testify against Rocky's dad. While she is gone there house is set on fire by the owner of the house. The cat saved the morris because he sleep out side and saw the fire and went back in the house to wake up Alex. Two days later there was two more fires. Alex was taken hosage and was put in one of the house taht was getting set on fire. The cat was trying to save Alex but no one would follow him to the house. Alexs dad saw the flames and called the fire department. The cat tryed to save alex but he got hit with a board that was on fire. Pete passed out and when he woke up Alex was out of the house and pete fwas going to the vets.

The Coolest Book Ever

The Stranger Next Door is an amazing and a heart pounding book because a little cat ends up doing a big thing. The main characters are Alex an ordinary boy, his friend Rocky, and a cat that knows everything. The problem is that someone keeps on setting houses on fire, and the only one who knows who did it is Pete the cat, unfortunately he can't talk. The setting is in Kansas. I like it because there are problems in the book, and if you keep on reading you will figure them out. Lastly I like it because in the end Pete the cat leads Rocky to find Alex who is stuck in a burning house. So actually Pete the cat saved his owners life. You should read this book because it is the best book I have ever read.