The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart

 

    Coyote Sunrise hasn't been home in five years. Instead, she's been living in a school bus, traveling around the country with her dad, Rodeo. Rodeo won't talk about Coyote's mother and sisters, who died in a car accident five years ago. He won't go near their old town, though they'll roam all over the rest of the country. And if Coyote told him that the park in her hometown was being destroyed--a park where a very important box is buried--Rodeo would drive as far away from those old memories as he could.

    So Coyote has a plan: trick Rodeo into driving her all the way to Washington state to get to the park before the bulldozers do. After all, she managed to sneak a real, live kitten into the bus without Rodeo noticing. 

    On the journey, the bus picks up some passengers. Salvador, his mom, and his aunt need a fresh start. Lester has to get back to his girlfriend. Val just wants to be herself. And there's also a goat.

    As Coyote's story speeds across the U.S., she learns that just her dad and a cat for company really wasn't enough--she needs friends by her. And that running from your past only brings it closer. 

 

One of the best books I've ever read! Coyote Sunrise is a hilarious, lovable, and brilliant protagonist, and the cast of characters she rides with will go right into your heart. I love books that have a quirky and diverse set of characters. I wish there were a sequel, but it couldn't possibly be as good.  

If you read and loved Coyote, be sure to check out my list of similar books here.

Cover photo from Amazon.