Book Review: The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

Author: Dan Gemeinheart

Pages: 346

Recommended Reading Age: 9-12

“Maybe we’re all a little broken. Maybe we’re all a little fragile. Maybe that’s why we need each other so much.”

Coyote Sunrise and her father Rodeo have been wandering across the country for the past five years in a school bus nicknamed Yaeager. Ever since the loss of her mom and two sisters in a car accident, they have drifted from place to place with few rules to guide them along the way including no references to the loss.

Coyote starts the journey by adopting a kitten (Ivan), she attempts to hide from Rodeo who has said no pets. Rodeo finally allows her to keep the cat, and they continue on. But on a call back home to her grandmother, Coyote learns that a park, where she and her mom and sisters buried a memory box, is being torn down, she knows she has to convince Rodeo to go back without letting him know where they are going. She calls an audible to get a pork chop sandwich, but the one she wants is in Montana. From there she will figure it out as she goes along.

Meeting a mixed cast of characters, a musician who needs a ride to Boise, a mom and son looking to escape a bad relationship and get a new job, to a goat named Gladys – Coyote sets out with Rodeo on what seems like an impossible journey against time to save the box and somehow maybe save herself.

I saw this book while shopping at a small bookshop in Carmel, CA, and loved the cover. It instantly drew me in and I added it to my TBR list. I found it via the library and was able to start it a few days ago. This was one I could not put down. It has all the feels. You can’t help but root for Coyote and the mixed-up characters she meets along the way. Absolutely the book I needed to read right now at this moment.

This is my top pick for my January book on my 2024 Book of the Year tournament!

I read this book on my Kindle, via Libby.