The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2019

93%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

A girl, a bus, and a high-stakes quest to dig up the past—it's a heart-wrencher that somehow stays fun and fast-paced.

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

book

2019

93%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

A girl, a bus, and a high-stakes quest to dig up the past—it's a heart-wrencher that somehow stays fun and fast-paced.

4.8

Jump to

Also rated on

4.8

View →

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

Look, some 'grief books' for kids feel like a homework assignment in sadness. This isn't that. It’s a road trip adventure that happens to have a massive heart.

Coyote and her dad Rodeo have been running away from their lives for five years in a renovated school bus, and the story kicks off when she realizes she has to get back to their old home to save a box of memories before it's paved over.

It’s funny, the side characters are actually three-dimensional, and it handles the heavy stuff—like losing your family—with a level of respect for the reader's intelligence that you don't always see. It’s a 'cry-on-the-last-page' kind of book, but the journey there is genuinely entertaining. If your kid liked 'Wonder' or 'Because of Winn-Dixie,' this is their next favorite.

Age Fit

Best for ages 9-14. It hits that sweet spot for kids starting to realize life is complicated, but it's so well-written that adults will probably steal it from their kid's nightstand.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It models a deeply loving, if unconventional, father-daughter bond and emphasizes the importance of community and helping strangers. The emotional arc is about healing rather than wallowing.

Imaginative

The setting—a transformed school bus named Yager—and the 'quest' structure across the American landscape spark a sense of adventure and curiosity about the world and the people in it.

Safe

While the backstory involves a fatal car accident, the content is age-appropriate. There's no graphic violence or sexual content, just the heavy reality of grief handled with care.

Enriching

It’s a masterclass in empathy. It helps kids navigate complex emotions like loss and regret without being preachy, all while keeping the plot moving like a high-stakes thriller.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

It treats middle-grade readers like they’re smart enough to handle big, messy emotions.
The 'found family' of hitchhikers they pick up adds layers of humor and diverse perspectives.
Coyote is a refreshingly capable and proactive protagonist who doesn't just wait for things to happen.
It’s a genuine page-turner; the ticking clock of the construction crew back home keeps the tension high.

⚠

What to Watch For

The core plot is driven by the death of Coyote's mother and sisters; it can be very intense for sensitive kids.
Rodeo (the dad) is often irresponsible in his grief, which might frustrate kids who prefer more 'adult' authority figures.
Expect some serious 'ugly crying' moments toward the end.

Conversation Starters

"If we had to live on a bus and could only keep what fits in a backpack, what are your non-negotiables?"
"Why do you think Rodeo made a rule about not talking about the past? Was he trying to protect Coyote or himself?"
"Which of the people they picked up on the road would you actually want to hang out with?"
"How does Coyote show she's stronger than the adults in the book?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic