Book Review: Coyote Lost & Found
#CYBILS2024 Elementary/Middle-Grade Fiction Nominee
COYOTE LOST AND FOUND (Coyote Sunrise, 2)
by Dan Gemeinhart
Henry Holt & Co BYR, 2024
It's been almost a year since Coyote and her dad left the road behind and settled down in a small Oregon town. . . time spent grieving the loss of her mom and sisters and trying to fit in at school. But just as life is becoming a new version of normal, Coyote discovers a box containing her mom’s ashes. And she thinks she might finally be ready to say goodbye.
So Coyote and her dad gear up for an epic cross-country road trip to scatter the ashes at her mom’s chosen resting place. It’s time to fire up their trusty bus, Yager, pick up some old friends, discover some new ones, and hit the road on another unforgettable adventure.1
audience: middle grade
tags: adventure, contemporary, death, family, realistic fiction, travel
Sondra Eklund (Chair, YA Speculative Fiction)
This sequel is equally amazing and wonderful [The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise]. I think you can enjoy the second book without reading the first, but why would you? If you have not read the book that introduces us to Coyote and her dad Rodeo, please do so as soon as possible! This book wrenched my heart in all the best ways. You can't find better travel companions anywhere than Coyote and Rodeo.
Read Sondy’s full review at her blog Sonderbooks
Anne Wilson (Judge)
This story has friendship, a road trip, humor, grief. Readers will enjoy Coyote and the other characters, they seem like people you could talk to in real life.
Read Anne’s full review at Goodreads
Aimee Smith (Judge)
You might be nervous, how could Gemeinhart capture the magic that is Coyote and Rodeo again? But there is no need to worry! You pick up where we left off in the first book and head straight into a real, raw look into living with grief and moving forward. Look at all those dog eaters pages marking quotes or moments I love.
It’s a book that reminds you what friendship looks like. What sadness feels like. How hard it is to start something new. How heavy it can be living with grief. How healing it can be to love and remember. And how loving hard means losing too. The people in our lives change us. They give us a chance to become who we want to be. My goodness, how lucky are we?
Read Aimee’s full review at KeepaBookOut on Instagram
Lisa Librarian (via Cindy Mitchell, Judge)
Coyote makes friends so easily on the road, I hate that she's the "weird kid" at school and feels so alone. Gemeinhart tells a story that is both poignant and humorous. I was so happy to once again be along for the ride. Coyote is strong independent and driven - and the lessons she learns about grief, friendship, and resiliency are timeless. I wonder if I love it so much because I can relate to the characters and experiences, is it my age or will the younger set feel the same?
Read Lisa’s full review at Kiss the Book blog
Cover image, blurb, and tags sourced to Goodreads.com