The Stranger Who Was Himself

In the past decade especially many young people have struggled to find a place for themselves in a chaotic world or family disjunction racial discrimination political polarity a volatile economy and sexism. By the age of fourteen Roddy Mattson has become an angry rebel who has no interest in school is a trial to his parents and expresses his anger via asocial behavior. Finding an unlikely friend in Marty a Latino boy his age who is smart and accomplished as well as a rebel the two have several adventures at first together then Roddy alone in the hope of relieving the anger that comes from the neglect he feels. Through his encounter with an unlikely homeless veteran an inspiring summer school teacher a young woman who pays him attention a disabled veteran a Native American man and an evolving relationship with his divorced parents he faces life changing experiences. Unable to escape the guilt for his past crimes he struggles to restart his life and to find his place in the world. This coming of age story will draw you in to this intriguing young mans adventures that are agonizing heart warming and redemptive.