E.L. Phoenix

Sally Brookman’s obnoxious neighbors, Petunia and Rhodie, have been waging war on the Brookman kids. It’s not terrible stuff. The girls are mean, pretty, and popular, and the Brookmans’ are a little offbeat. The mom, in fact, is a spiritual leader and teacher, and her kids would rather build model arks, collect rare rock specimens and pen deep stories than kick soccer balls and play dress-up. But for Christmas, “Tunie” just got a dog. A very Bad Doggy. And she won’t stop barking. What’s the kind-hearted but peace-loving Sally to do? And how will her children navigate the soft-studded perils of suburban social hell?

As the Brookman kids begin to build model battleships and write revenge stories and fight more and more with the neighbors, Sally does everything but speak up for herself. She must teach her children how to be better souls, but she has a lot to learn herself. As Sally learns, she gently teaches her own children, drawing from the sayings of Jesus, Rumi and Ramakrishna; Hindus, Christians and Buddhists.

In a profoundly tolerant and funny way, Phoenix and Stevens tell a modern-day morality tale, but this one will make adults and children laugh. Sprinkled throughout the comical family discussions and interactions with various neighbors is a large measure of love and wisdom that draws from all the spiritual traditions of the East and the West. Whether you’re looking for a book that takes a fresh look at faith and spirituality, or you simply want to read a story that will make you laugh, Strays Welcome fits the bill.