Five years. That's how long Coyote and her dad, Rodeo, have lived on the road in an old school bus, crisscrossing 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 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”.

COVER LOVE!!! Lovelovelove the cover

Book Review: The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart is a heartfelt and adventurous tale perfect for middle-grade readers. The story follows twelve-year-old Coyote and her father, Rodeo (don't you love their names??), as they travel across the country in a school bus turned home. Their journey is filled with colorful characters, unexpected twists, and heartwarming moments.

Coyote's mission is to retrieve a memory box she buried with her late mother and sisters, but getting her father to return to their hometown is no easy feat. The book beautifully explores themes of loss, healing, and the importance of family and friendship.

Grief is a hard and troublesome passenger. Adults tend to hold their grief close and not discuss it with their children, whether it's because the words and feelings are too hard and they don't know what to say or how the child will react. But children need to talk about their pain as well and parents need to listen. 

Gemeinhart's writing is engaging and full of emotion, making it easy for readers to connect with Coyote and her quest. This book is a delightful and touching read that teaches the value of holding onto precious memories while moving forward with hope and courage. Highly recommended for young readers!