By Dan Gemeinhart
(Excerpt from Coyote Lost and Found – Pages 194-195)
The Christmas holiday is over and I took today to just read. It was such a gift of quiet time and reflection. And wow…I have to tell you that I think I just finished my most favorite read of all of 2023! Keep in mind, 2023 had some pretty incredible titles. But, Dan Gemeinhart’s forthcoming book Coyote Lost and Found ( sequel to The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise) is a ‘must buy’, ‘starred review’, and one that I will be talking about for months to come.
A quick recap:
In the first book, Coyote and her dad, Rodeo set off on a 5 year journey, in a bus, after the death of Coyote’s mom and 2 sisters in a car accident. Their journey ends with settling down and beginning to live a ‘normal’ life after their soul searching adventures. Dan Gemeinhart dedicates this sequel to all the fans and readers over the years who have requested ‘another Coyote story’.
As the story begins, Coyote finds her mother’s ashes in a dark wooden box, stashed away on the bus. Keep in mind, she was on this same bus with her dad for the previous five years and didn’t realize that this box was present during the entire trip. After a discussion with her dad, they realize it is now time to bring closure and spread her mother’s ashes. Unfortunately, the book where her mother had written down instructions regarding her final resting place, Red Bird by Mary Oliver, has been misplaced. It is most likely in some second hand bookstore somewhere between Maine to Oregon. Hence, Coyote then leads her dad and several friends on a cross country adventure to find not only the book, but answers from her mother.
“I mean the funny thing about stories is that they don’t really start or stop at all…It’s just the telling that starts or stops.” Page 1
While I would love to give more details about the story, I cannot. It would not be fair to you, the reader. But let me assure you, this book is a gem of a gem! Not only will Coyote take over your heart, but you will emerge wiser, warmer and more open to the world in front of you. I needed this book at this particular moment in time, and didn’t even realize it. Coyote’s journey of heartache and grief is also layered with human and heart. She allows new people into her word and finds ways to give and accept support. She shows us the power of the human experience and traveling together. Not just a physical journey, but in how we show up and support each other. Laced with every chapter is humor and joy. Gemeinhart’s writing is so fresh and unique. Each new adventure had me wondering and guessing till the end of that chapter.
In the end, Coyote must come to terms with new realities and make decisions.
I’m saying that maybe we’ve lost enough. Maybe we should be done with losing for a while. Maybe it’s time we do some finding.” ( Page 210)
And this wasn’t a ‘letting go’. It was just changing our grip. ( Page 268).
And, with that, she embraces the concept of gratitude:
“Simple gratitude, dear, is woefully underrated.” ( Page 258)
Dear Dan Gemeinhart, I am beyond GRATEFUL to you for writing this brilliant and poignant story of insightful, wise, strong and independent young girl named Coyote.
Publication date – March 4, 2024
Excerpts taken from Coyote Lost and Found by Dan Gemeinhart published by Henry Holt Books for Young Readers
