Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 12/15/2018 *Starred Review* For the past five years, 12-year-old Coyote Sunrise and her father, Rodeo, have traveled all over the U.S. on a retired school bus converted into a home on wheels. Once upon a time, they lived in Washington State, but when her mother and two sisters died in an automobile accident, her father bought the bus, changed their names, and took off, determined to put painful memories behind them. But when Coyote learns that her former neighborhood park, where she and her mother and sisters buried a memory box, is about to be demolished, she knows she has to get back there and retrieve it. Knowing that a return to their old home is what Rodeo would call a no-go, Coyote plots a way to get where she needs to go. Along the way, they pick up an assortment of passengers who become involved with Coyote's quest. Narrator Coyote is legendary: wise, thoughtful, and perceptive, she is an astute observer of human nature. Her voice is frank, authentic, and fresh as she shares her insights with her audience, whether the reader or another character. The narrative is beautifully paced and ranges easily from comic to bittersweet, and the other well-rounded characters also shine as they become part of Coyote's circle. Coyote is well-adjusted and, like her journey, refreshingly remarkable. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 04/01/2019 Gr 5–8-In Gemeinhart's latest heartwarming realistic fiction novel, authentic life experiences are tackled and resilience reigns supreme. Coyote is a young girl traveling the American countryside with her father. The pair made a home of a refurbished school bus after a terrible car accident killed Coyote's mother and two sisters. When Coyote learns that a park that holds an important part of her past is set to be demolished, she and her father set a course back to Washington state. Through their travels, Coyote and her father pick up a kitten, wayward travelers, and knowledge of all kinds. Readers will be drawn into the story of Coyote immediately. Her authentic voice and personality shine. Gemeinhart takes readers on a cross-country experience of self-discovery and empathetic growth. The realistic cast of characters that join Coyote add dimension and depth to an already spirited story. Readers who have experienced loss will see themselves, while those that have not will learn through Coyote's eyes. VERDICT A must-read and purchase for every school library. Truly a story that will engage readers of all types.-Elizabeth Pelayo, St. Charles East High School, IL - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.