Coyote Queen
Coyote Queen by Jessica Vitalis is a contemporary middle grade novel published by HarperCollinsPublishers in 2023, featuring 272 pages in English. The story follows twelve-year-old Fud, who feels trapped in a precarious living situation with her mother and her mother’s boyfriend, Larry. As Fud seeks a way to escape their troubled life, she discovers an eerie connection to a pack of coyotes, which helps her understand her own identity and the lengths she will go to protect her family.
Readers will find a narrative that explores themes of family, resilience, and the struggles of poverty and emotional abuse. As Fud navigates her challenging circumstances, she learns about the importance of independence and the desire for freedom, all while grappling with her growing connection to the coyotes. The novel presents a blend of fantasy and reality, showcasing Fud’s journey toward self-discovery and empowerment as she contemplates entering a local beauty pageant to secure a better future for herself and her mother.
Official synopsis Publisher
“Winningly intense.” –Kirkus Reviews
“A powerful novel of tremendous empathy and optimism.” –Gary D. Schmidt, Newbery Honor winner and National Book Award finalist
“Exquisitely written and painfully real.” –Megan E. Freeman, award-winning author of Alone
When a twelve-year-old decides that she must get herself and her mother out of a bad situation, an eerie connection to a coyote pack helps her see who she’s meant to be–and who she can truly save. The Benefits of Being an Octopus meets The Nest in this contemporary middle grade novel about family, class, and resilience, with a magical twist.
Twelve-year-old Fud feels trapped. She lives a precarious life in a cramped trailer with her mom and her mom’s alcoholic ex-boxer boyfriend, Larry. Fud can see it’s only a matter of time until Larry explodes again, even if her mom keeps on making excuses for his behavior. If only Fud could find a way to be as free as the coyotes roaming the Wyoming countryside: strong, smart, independent, and always willing to protect their own.
When Larry comes home with a rusted-out houseboat, Fud is horrified to hear that he wants to fix it up for them to live on permanently. All she sees is a floating prison. Then new-neighbor Leigh tells Fud about Miss Black Gold, a beauty pageant sponsored by the local coal mine. While Fud doesn’t care much about gowns or talents or prancing around on stage, she cares very much about getting herself and her mom away from Larry before the boat is finished. And to do that, she needs money, in particular that Miss Black Gold prize money.
One problem: the more Fud fantasizes about escape, the more her connection to the coyotes lurking outside her window grows. And strange things have started happening–is Fud really going color-blind? Are her eyebrows really getting bushier? And why does it suddenly seem like she can smell everything?
Jessica Vitalis crafts a moving and voice-driven novel about family and resilience, with a fantastical twist. Coyote Queen is perfect for readers of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise and The Elephant in the Room.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Coyote Queen” about?
Who is the author of “Coyote Queen”?
When was “Coyote Queen” published?
What is the ISBN for “Coyote Queen”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
