Waifs and strays cover

Waifs and strays

by Charles de Lint

Charles de Lint's remarkable novels and short stories have always been, at heart, about what lies beneath the surface; the ancient patterns we still follow today; and, most of all, the possibility of growth, change, kindness, magic, and love. In a very real sense, they are coming-of-age stories-and his work has always included memorable teenage characters. Here, at long last, is a collection of his stories about teenagers-a collection for teen and adult readers alike. From the streets of his famed Newford to the alleys of Bordertown to the realms of Faerie, here is storytelling that will transfix and delight, with characters who will linger in the mind-many of them from his acclaimed novels. Featuring an illuminating preface by acclaimed author, anthologist, and critic Terri Windling, Waifs and Strays is a must-own for de Lint fans, and an ideal introduction to his work for newcomers.

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Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?