Newboy lives in a succession of foster homes, and by the time he is twelve years old he has stopped talking. One morning he opened his mouth to say something, and nothing came out. Medical examinations and testing do not reveal a cause for his silence, but for Newboy, life is just easier that way. The Knoxes have the worst foster home of all, and Newboy decides that he’s through with the state child-care system and is going to run away. Living on the streets means danger and excitement around every corner, but the one thing Newboy never expected to find is a companion in the form of a foul-smelling, and damaged ventriloquist's dummy in the dumpster that he hides in one day. He names the doll "Stinko" and discovers that he is able to talk through the dummy and express himself for the first time in several years. Newboy meets other runaways like himself living on the dangerous streets and they form alliances that help them survive and foes that make life difficult. Through it all, Mr. and Mrs. Knox are relentlessly searching for him... after all, the State pays them for his care.

DeGuzman has crafted a touching story of hardship, survival, and the friendships of children struggling against nearly insurmountable odds. Newboy's innate sense of right and wrong and his moral values remain intact in spite of his troubles and the young hoodlums that confront him.

The tempo of this story is fast-paced and exciting, with its cast of compelling characters, as Newboy dodges his foster parents and young thugs who mean him harm, and it races toward a satisfying climax. I highly recommend this book... the short length and rapid pace will make it especially attractive to reluctant readers.