Another book
you really don’t want to put down! A cool “road trip” story with an interesting
cast of characters and a mission that will break your heart.
Description
from the publisher
Five years.
That's how
long Coyote and her dad, Rodeo, have lived on the road in an old school bus,
criss-crossing the nation.
It's also
how long ago Coyote lost her mom and two sisters in a car crash.
Coyote
hasn’t been home in all that time, but when she learns that the park in her old
neighborhood is being demolished—the very same park where she, her mom, and her
sisters buried a treasured memory box—she devises an elaborate plan to get her
dad to drive 3,600 miles back to Washington state in four days...without him
realizing it.
Along the
way, they'll pick up a strange crew of misfit travelers. Lester has a lady love
to meet. Salvador and his mom are looking to start over. Val needs a safe place
to be herself. And then there's Gladys...
Over the
course of thousands of miles, Coyote will learn that going home can sometimes
be the hardest journey of all...but that with friends by her side, she just
might be able to turn her “once upon a time” into a “happily ever after.”
The
Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart was published by Henry
Holt in 2019.
Why you want
to read this book:
Coyote’s
story is heart-breaking and full of hope at the same time. It’s a contemporary “quest”
story with a lot of kindness and a troop of interesting characters to help and
cheer on Coyote as she faces one of the most difficult challenges in her life. This story is full of interesting details. For example, she adopts a kitten and names it Ivan, after one of
her favorite book characters.
Opening:
There were big days and there were
small days and there were bad days and there were good days and I suppose I
could pick any one of ‘em for my “once upon a time.”
If you’re a
writer…
There is so
much personality in this story! I’d definitely read this if you’re thinking
about how to create a unique or quirky story, one that stands out from the
crowd.
I know it’s weird to call eyes “quiet,”
since I’ve never seen a loud eyeball, but it’s the truth.
Salvador’s eyes were quiet, and something about that quietness kinda gave you
the courage to talk to them.
If you’re an
educator…
Kids who
have experienced periods of sadness or family troubles will be able to relate
to this book. Coyote’s interesting character keeps you hooked on the story, but
it’s really the story of how she and her father come to term with a terrible,
life-changing event. It’s also a story of perseverance, because Coyote has a
goal and she really doesn’t let anything stop her from reaching it. The other
big theme in this book is kindness and helping others.
“Friend” wasn’t a word I heard all
that often. It is one of those words that once you hear it,
you wanna hear it a lot more.
Here's another review of this book by Colby Sharp:
If you’re looking for another
great list of middle grade books to read, check out Marvelous Middle Grade
Monday on Greg
Pattridge's blog.
I could use a book about hope. And this one sounds filled with interesting characters. Thanks for reviewing it this week.
ReplyDeleteI've read a lot of good reviews about this book. Thanks for adding your thoughts in a way that makes me want to read it even more. Hopefully this summer! The story and writing have me hooked.
ReplyDeleteI have been hearing a lot about this book and have it high on my TBR list. I really want to get to it soon. Thanks for your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI had seen this cover, but I didn't know anything about the book. Sounds like a book that I will have to read. Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess