It’s been six years since Coyote Sunrise and her dad Rodeo lost their mum and wife. Coyote is finally in school after travelling around and being home schooled on their refurbished old school bus named Yager, but real school isn’t all that she’d dreamed it would be.

One day while hanging out in Yager alone, she discovers a suitcase containing ashes. Rodeo had been hiding her mum all along. He’s been getting counselling and is much closer to being able to let go, and explains a pact he had with Coyote’s mum.

Coyote’s parents have written a message in a book and sealed it for if ever they pass away before the other. This note tells the reader where they would like to be scattered or buried. Both Coyote and Rodeo decide it’s time to do just that.

But Coyote can’t find the book, and when she realises it’s her fault that it’s gone from their lives, she can’t find the courage to tell her dad.

Trying not to lie and hating it when she has to, they set off in their house bus once again, on a quest. Schools have closed early because of the Covid pandemic giving them extra weeks to travel. Rodeo believes there is a destination in mind, but Coyote has to divert them to several places first to try and find the book.

Coyote’s best friend Salvador comes along, as does Rodeo’s new friend Candace. There is also of course Coyote’s cat Ivan who has to get along with Candice’s small dog. Rodeo’s laid back and kind personality adds yet another person to the mix. Coyote is her father’s daughter, also seeing someone who might need some company.

At each stop, Coyote searches. Will she find the book with her mother’s final message in it before Rodeo realises it’s gone?

As soon as I saw this sequel to the wonderful The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise, I knew I had to read it. I never thought I’d love it just as much as the first book, (because it was so gorgeous) but I’m over the moon that it is just as good.

Coyote is such a special character, and an authentic mix between her amazing parents. Rodeo is quite broken in the first book after losing so much, but now he’s getting counselling and has made a new lady friend. Coyote struggles with this, adding tension to a new bus trip across the country. She’s also having trouble with who she is after the events in her life, as she doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere.

These problems added with the ever increasing pressure of a all consuming secret from her father, rachet up the tension in the story, all while dealing with the Covid pandemic which has closed schools and businesses.

There is so much wisdom and kindness with life lessons in this story, (without ever being preachy or didactic) that they all made my heart sing.

Absolutely gorgeous – just like the first book in this series. Coyote Sunrise is one of my favourite middle-grade characters ever.

Author – Dan Gemeinhart

Age – 9+

(2024, Macmillan, Adventure, Animals, Family, Friendship, Grief, Growing up, Love, School, Secrets, Series, Poetry Book, Scatter Ashes, School Bus, Road Trip, New Friends, Kindness, Wisdom, Father Daughter, Patience, Finding, Mary Oliver, Bookstores)