Unlike Gemeinhart's other books, this one didn't charm me. I still liked it and will for sure suggest it to kids, but I read [b:Sweeping Up the Heart|39087705|Sweeping Up the Heart|Kevin Henkes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531101450l/39087705._SX50_.jpg|60660856] right before and it felt more authentic with very similar themes. Both books are about a father and daughter who've suffered the loss of the mother and the father is not handling grief well.

Overall, I found much of this book to be so unrealistic it was hard to swallow. I doubt many kids will have that problem. Still, it bothered me that Rodeo was never really held accountable for what arguably amounts to child endangerment -- just one example: can you really imagine a parent teaching their 11 or 12 year old to drive a school bus?

Gemeinhart makes Coyote so easygoing, precocious and resilient the rest of the story almost worked for me. There are certainly some beautiful moments and connections. But something about it never sat right with me. I was reading a bunch of other reviews and this one really sums up why: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2717428369

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Homosexual teen character.

This book packs an emotional punch! Coyote is a character who grows a tremendous amount during the story. She starts off sassy and strong, so winning that it would be hard not to fall in love with her and cheer her on. Still, in order to rise to the challenge of her life on the road with her caring but immature father, she must confront loneliness, hers and her father's profound loss, and learn to risk vulnerability in friendships. I really enjoyed all of the characters -- the side characters were full of personality and well-rounded. Because of the issues surrounding some of the characters' challenges, I think it is a best fit for YT and Middle School collections. ( )

Having traveled the US roads many times I was intrigued by the plot. But when yawning begins in the first chapters, its clear its heading nowhere. I'm the sort that needs to be engaged with characters and plot from the beginning but found the father/daughter combo lacking anything that would hold interest. And while its possible the story improves later, I decided its best not to bother since the author's style, dialog and plot elements failed muster. Enough said. ( )

4.5 rounded up to 5

Well yet again I have made a spectacle of myself in public by walking around the supermarket listening to an audiobook and shopping through tear filled eyes. Moreover, I forgot the main item I was meant to get. No bread in our house tonight!

Simply put, I loved it! The writing was fabulous and the characters were real and endearing and just wonderful. It's a really emotional story about Coyote and Rodeo dealing with their grief after losing the rest of their family in a car accident. They stay on the move in their house bus trying to out run the tragedy that stole their loved ones from them. I ugly snot cried a few times (thankfully not in the supermarket). I thought the people they collected along the way contributed to the story wonderfully by adding heart and compassion. It is classified as middle school, but I would be careful about giving it to younger middle schoolers as it is so very sad in parts. I would also recommend this for NZ Y9 students too. Love love loved it! ( )