Book review by Aarene Storms: The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise 

by Dan Gemeinhart

12-year-old Coyote lives and travels with her dad, Rodeo, on board a converted schoolbus. Only, she isn't supposed to call Rodeo her "dad" anymore, because the word makes him too sad. And avoiding sadness is the entire reason that Coyote and Rodeo do what they do. It kinda works, mostly, sometimes.

Five years ago, a few days before Coyote's mom and two sisters died in a car crash, they buried a secret memory box in a park in their town. 

Coyote hasn't been home for so long that she didn't know the park was being demolished for a construction project-- and now, she needs to convince Rodeo to take her home to Washington State to retrieve the box before it gets demolished too. But going home is one of Rodeo's "no-go" things.

The voice of Coyote Sunrise rings true in this sweet story of life and grieving and friendship and love. The misfit travelers who contribute to the journey home are fully-realized characters, and readers will enjoy a slow reveal of details about each of them.

No cussing, kissing, nekkidness, or violence... but there is a high-speed cop-car chase with a kid behind the wheel of the schoolbus. Highly recommended for readers ages 10 to adult.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS astorms@kcls.org