The Stranger Next Door

Pete the Cat #1

by Peg Kehret

When fires are set and street signs get knocked down in the community, newcomer Rocky thinks that it may have something to do with him and his family while another newcomer, Alex, wonders why Rocky and his family would ever generate such acts of violence. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Cats, Middle Grade, Animals, Fiction, Adventure

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2002

About the author

Peg Kehret writes middle grade fiction and nonfiction. She's won dozens of state children's choice awards, where kids vote for their favorite book.

When she was twelve, Peg was paralyzed with polio. Most of her protagonists are the age she was then.

A volunteer with animal rescue groups, three of Peg's books are co-authored by Pete the Cat."

Reviews

[Janete on hiatus due health issues · Rating 4 out of 5]

The principal character is Alex who is been bullying at the school for being the new kid and he has a cat named Pete. Pete is a very clever and sarcastic cat who "investigates" two arsons in the neighborhood and saves Alex from die in one of the arsons. The other character is Rocky whose family participates in the US witness program and moves in for the Valley View States condo, where Alex, his family and Pete live, and where there are a lot of houses empty. Pete the cat is really cute and fun!

[Linnaea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pete the jungle beast is a heroic cat - he saved his person! I need a cat like that.

[Joe Cee · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional work of literature. This book is also a quick read.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mystery told from two points of view, so that the reader knows about Rocky's past and understands his reluctance to make friends, even as Alex grows to like Rocky and to wish that they could get to know each other better. Bullying juvenile deliquents confuse the issue, so that the climax comes as a surprise, and all's well that ends well. Not one of Peg Kehret's best, but a suspenseful story that will appeal to mystery fans.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete is Alex's cat. A boy names Rocky moves into Alex's neighborhood. Alex wants to be his friend, but Rocky doesn't want to be his friend. Later there are fires in the neighborhood. Will they catch the person who set the fires? Read this book to find out!
I really like this book. You have got to read it!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable children's book featuring the clever, courageous, and capable cat Pete. Some of the story is told from the cat's point of view in what to a cat-lover seems like a highly authentic and humorous voice. The plot's not bad too.

[Derek Rodrigo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminded me of my long-dead cat whom I had for 7 years. Missing you, Ponkan.

[Andy.L · Rating 5 out of 5]

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AWESOME

[Madelyn Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm literally inlove with this story it is just sad and exciting

[American · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peg Kehret is one of my favorite children's mystery authors, though they are never usually 'scary', more what I call 'spooky', but I like the spooky atmosphere. They usually all teach a moral lesson, which I do like about them, and they sometimes show what to do in a dangerous situation and what not to do. The books by her and 'Pete the Cat' are some of my favorites by her, but I like the 'Ellen and Corey' series a little better. I also like some of the single books like 'Stolen Children'. I've never read the 'Frightmares' or the 'Disaster' books by her.

Strangely, I didn't read this until after the sequel, because I didn't what order they went in, but after reading it, I did like it. I did enjoy this more than the sequel, because of the mystery and suspense, but all three in the series are well written.
When Alex, a 12 year old boy, Pete the Cat, and their family move into a new house and new town, they meet their neighbors, Rocky, a boy Alex's age, and his family. But when Alex tries to befriend Rocky, he acts strange and mysterious, and one night Rocky's house is on fire! What could be happening with Rocky's family that they don't want anyone to know about?
If you enjoy suspense, mystery, and humor you should read 'The Stranger Next Door', then read the rest of the 'Pete the Cat' series, or read my favorite books by Peg Kehret, the 'Ellen and Corey' books.

[KelceyTheLibrarian]

This book is a fast paced read and great for readers with short attention spans. There is always something happening and the constant additions to the text from Pete the cat keep things lively and fun. There is a wide variety of subject material in the book and there was more going on with the plot than I ascertained from reading the summary on the book. The evasive young boy who moves in next door is actually trying to deal with being in the Witness Protection Program because his mother is testifying in a major drug trial. I think the author does a good job portraying the mixed feelings and difficulty in adjusting that a boy this age would have with the whole situation. He doesn't just passively accept his life being turned upside down, he is mad about it!
Most of the mystery element in this book revolves around Pete the cat. The reader can see Pete's thoughts and understand his "words" and follows his actions when Pete is not with Alex. Pete turns out to be the main investigator in this book: he watches the different suspects in the neighborhood, finds clues and leads the human investigators to them, and saves Alex when he is trapped in a house fire by alerting the neighbors. It is a lot of fun to watch Pete's brand of mystery-solving where he is literally sniffing out clues and using scents to identify criminals. This is humor, mystery and realistic fiction all bound up into one fast compelling little read.

[MacKenzie Z · Rating 1 out of 5]

This Is the Strangers Next Door. I rated this one star because it is kinda boring and it just seems origanal like any other books.This book takes place in modern time.The setting takes place in a nieghborhood called Valley View Estates. It use to be a skateboard park but they changed it to this. The "bullys" in this book are Henery and Duke. The main characters are Alex, Rocky, Benji, Mrs. Kendrill,and Mr. and Mrs. Morris. Rocky and Mr. and Mrs. Morris are new to Valley View estates. So is Benji, Alex , And Mr. and Mrs. Kendrill but not as new. Henery and Duke always bug Alex about living in Valley View Estates becuase they say "only stuck up rich kids" live there. So Alex is new and doesnt really have any friends. So then these people from New York come. That is Mr. and Mrs. Morris and Rocky. They changed their names because they dont want anybody to know who they are. So nobody knows their real names. Before they moved they also got new birth certificates. Later in the book somebody takes down one of the streets signs.Which is ileagl. So the Kendrill family are trying to figure out who it is. Alex thinks it is Henery and Duke because they hate him. Benji thinks it is the new people because they are trying to terize the world.(because he is a little kid and has a big imagination.)

[Carol L. Caldwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story. The plot moved well. It didn't get stuck anywhere. You get a good idea of the main characters, what they think and feel. The author has won numerous awards for her childrens' books.

As a writer myself I try to pay attention to construction, point of view and showing vs. telling when I read. That way I can learn from successful authors. This writer changed points of view in the middle of chapters and changed scenes without an indication. I was able to follow the story well because I had a sense of who was who. But I've been told that multiple points of view are difficult and changing them on the same page is to be avoided at all cost. However, there were two story lines that came together with one main character per story line. That makes it necessary to have two points of view and then she added the story as seen by the cat, who moves in and out of the plot.

I'm still learning what makes a good story and what doesn't. Obviously bending some rules worked in this book.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never saw The Cable Guy. Knowing the premise of the film was enough to put me off. The Stranger Next Door is very similar, a couple move to a little retirement cottage where they hope to live quietly until they die. All is fine for a week until their next door neighbour, the monosyllabic Mr Bernardin, comes calling. This visit is uncomfortable, he seems to want to do nothing but sit in silence, but at least he finally leaves only to come back the next day and then the nest and then the next.

Who is he? What does he want and why does no one ever see his wife? What's wrong with her? You can't help but get dragged along. And when you start to see the horrible bigger picture it's hard not to keep looking even though you don't really want to know what's going on.

If this hasn't put you off then go for it. It really isn't a bad book, its just the subject matter. Strange book, very strange.

[Kat (Lost in Neverland) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Spy Cat a lot better. Rocky just moved into a new housing development, but he had to leave behind all his stuff, his house, his dog...and his name. His real name is Clifford, and a gang of drug dealers are after his family, so they had to change their names, they had to move to a new house, and stay low until his mother's testimony against the drug gang is done. Meanwhile, a mysterious arsonist is threatening the neighborhood where Alex, his cat Pete, and his family live. Rocky's house is burned down by the arsonist, and Pete knows who did it. Now, Pete must find a way to bust the arsonist, and save Alex from being burned out by the fire for good.
I thought it was a nice, quick read. But for a children's book, it was a bit rough. I mean, drug dealers who smuggle drugs in cars to carry across the country? What are drugs doing in a kid's book? But all in all, a very good book, but as I said before, Spy Cat was much better.

[Jan Carlo Foz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Stranger Next Door is the second book I've read from Peg Kehret. Just like the first one, Peg Kehret did not fail to deliver a very simple yet so much fun story. Everyone will love the characters in this book especially Benjie and Pete the cat. It's amazing how the book can still appeal to persons like me who are no longer considered "children." How I wish I was able to read Peg Kehret works when I was still a little kid.

The overall story was so smooth that you will end up reading this book in one seating. I love that it wounded up with Rocky and Alex finally becoming friends. I really like this book though I wish the author could have settle the issue with Rocky's mother at the end of the story.

The Stranger Next Door just validates how great Peg Kehret is when it comes to creating timeless children books. I'm looking forward reading more of her works. It looks like I'll be reading a bunch of children books in the coming days. Two thumbs up for this book!

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a boy named Alex and his cat named Pete. His next door neighbor is a boy named Clifford and later in the story his names turns into Rocky. In there neighborhood there are fires that keep on happen. Pete the cat was roaming around there neighborhood when he saw the same black car that started the last fires. Alex called for Pete to come but he still couldn't fine him. Later he saw a bright light by a house went towards the light and the house was on fire. He also saw the same black car that started the last fires. He wanted to call 911 but by the time they got there he would be gone. So he decided to get his licences plat number. The car was driving of so Alex had to get it quick. Alex almost got all of it but the light shined right into his eye. So he standed up and tried to get the back of the cars licences plat he got all of it. But the car slammed on the brakes turned around and faced a gun right towards him.

[Karen & Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stranger Next Door by Peg Kehret and Pete the Cat is actually better than I expected. Although the author's cat helped write parts of this book, in the story we know what the cat is thinking and saying, but the people in the book only hear it meowing which makes it more realistic. Shortly after an aloof family move in next door to Alex's family, houses burn in the neighborhood, including the new neighbor's. Pete the cat sees what happens and using his cat intelligence, makes his people aware of what is happening.

This book has both mystery and adventure, plus it's a quick fun read with the Pete the Cat being one of the main characters. I think any kid who likes cats would enjoy this book very much, I did!
(Karen's review)

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this book, love how Pete writes his own story in there. It was interesting and the story kept me reading and my son reading and there were times when I was like "OK, bed time" and my son would say "AW, just one more chapter?" THAT is what I want out of a book for my kid, I want him to want to read. He loves reading but it's especially nice when the school isn't telling him something is too low, or not challenging enough and pushing him to read certain things because they have the test and the stuff he wants to read there's no test on....Just nice to see him finally get to read something not dictated by the school and really enjoy his choice.

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a harder time connecting to this book due to Alex's (the main character) cat being able to speak english. I found it unrealistic. Although, I know young children would enjoy this. Trouble starts to stir when arson fires and vandalism starts occurring in his new neighborhood. He starts to think that Rocky his new neighbor is responsible due to how private he is to Alex about his past. This book would be a good chapter read aloud in a second to third grade classroom and introduce the mystery genre in a light way.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that the book was amazing in just tell chapter five. Why I gave The Stranger Next Door four stars is because It has a mysteries that just make you want to keep reading. Clifford used to be his real name but, he had tho switch it with Gerald Morris, but he doesn't know why. Find out why he switch his name.

[(IG:RemindMeToRead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book in Elementary school, so I was happy to re-read it. I can't believe how much of the plot I forgot, so it was like reading it for the first time. I think I liked it so much back then because it might have been my first suspenseful book. I know for sure that I loved the characters and I'm just now seeing that Pete was a funny cat.

[Ashley]

I this book Alex Kendrill gets a new neighbor named Clifford.Duke and his buddy(bullies) doesn't like anybody who lives in Valley Veiw Estates just because the builders took away their dirt wheel tracks.Then something dromastic happens but I cant say because that would be T.M.I.

[Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was in my opinion a very well written book. i found it very unpredictable at times but was very exciting. i dont think i am going to be able to put this book down, it is so good.i have learned some lessons from this book like not roaming around without telling anyone.

[Reagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is manly about a cat who helps two boys from different places, becomes friends. Also with other things going on like fires, and identities. It is a different kind of book. But is is a great book to read

[Emma Emert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the book was cool and a bit of a mystery!
It was sad when the boy had to give his dog away and move to a knew home because he was in witness protection he was called Rocky.
The book was great and I loved it.

[Riley Carrier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty good overall. The best part about it was when Pete found Alex and saved him. The theme of the story is that you can never suspect one person. I would recommend this to anyone who likes mystery books.

[Abbyfred3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing lituratchure truly amazing

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this will hold children's interest. It is filled with suspense!