Coyote Queen

by Jessica Vitalis

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 has fantasized about escape, the more her connection to the coyotes lurking outside her window has grown. 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.

Genres: Middle Grade, Magical Realism, Realistic Fiction, Animals, Fantasy, Abuse, Fiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 10, 2023

About the author

JESSICA VITALIS is an award-winning, Columbia MBA-wielding middle grade author with Greenwillow/HarperCollins. Her books have been translated into three languages, received multiple starred reviews, been designated as Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections, and appeared on “Best Book” lists for Kirkus and CCBC. Her latest novel, Coyote Queen, won the Reading the West Book Award and the Women Writing the West 2024 WILLA Literary Award in Children’s Fiction and Non-Fiction. It is also a High Plains Book Award and SCBWI Crystal Kite Book Award finalist. A historical novel in verse, Unsinkable Cayenne, is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection arriving October 29th, 2024. Jessica has American and Canadian citizenship; she currently lives and writes in Ontario but speaks at schools, conferences, and festivals all over North America. Connect on Instagram at @jessicavauthor and at www.jessicavitalis.com.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Vitalis' COYOTE QUEEN is a story that will stay with me for a long, long time. It's a heartbreaking exploration of domestic violence and of poverty, but it's also about finding the magic inside you, and about mustering the courage to ask for help. Fud is a compassionately drawn and fully realized protagonist. You'll love her, worry over her, and root for her, and she'll keep you turning pages to the very end, anxious to know whether she finds a way out of her desperate situation. The setting - not one we see enough of in middle grade stories, I don't think - is so poignantly and tenderly portrayed. And Fud's coyote magic is both a brilliant fantasy element and a perfect metaphor for her coming of age under extraordinary, and extraordinarily painful, circumstances. A phenomenal read that will stay on my heart. My thanks to NetGalley, to Greenwillow, and to Jessica Vitalis, for the eARC.

[Megan Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisitely written and painfully real, this is a brave and beautiful book about hard, important things. The story pulls no punches, not with the realities of domestic violence and the toll it takes on families, nor with the courage required to ask for and receive help. We root for the main character from the first page to last, and her ability to ultimately save herself is a testament to the enduring resilience of the human spirit. I give it my highest recommendation.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

[Cheyanne Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coyote Queen was a phenomenal story that gripped me from start to finish. Fud lives in a trailer with her mom and her mom's crummy piece of work boyfriend. She escapes from her situation by watching the coyotes who live wild and free. When a girl her age moves in next door, they become quick friends (despite Fud's hesitation) and soon they are prepping to participate in a local beauty pageant. Fud doesn't care about beauty but she wants to win the prize money to get her mom out of their abusive situation. Coyote queen has a touch of magic (or imagination?) and I adored every single chapter.

It's so well-written and touches on tough topics with grace and believability. Unlike other books that deal with poverty and domestic abuse, this book never felt condescending or like it was trying to teach the reader a lesson, and the authentic voice made the story such an incredible read. It made me feel like a 12 year old again, stuck in a world you're trying to understand, change, and survive all at the same time.

[Chrystal D. Giles · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most anticipated reads this year and it didn’t disappoint! COYOTE QUEEN. It is vulnerable, raw, and real, but also hopeful and carefully told. Vitalis does a beautiful job rooting the reader in the MCs world.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary. Such an important story and beautifully told. Jessica tells the unvarnished beautiful and ugly truths of Fud's life. There are many dark moments in a hope filled tale, and readers are sure to root for Fud from the beginning all the way through the grays to the colorful end.

[Deke Moulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read through this in less than 24 hours.

Absolutely sucked into the story, the is-it-or-isn’t-it were-coyote story, and was not at all anticipating the ending. Loved every moment of this perfect book.

[Kathie]

had the pleasure of reading an eARC of COYOTE QUEEN for an interview with Jessica at MG Book Village.

12-year-old Fud is trapped in an abusive situation with her mom. They live in a cramped trailer owned by her mom’s boyfriend, but when Fud learns he plans to move them into a houseboat and travel (further isolating them), she enters a beauty pageant hoping to win the prize money so she and her mom can afford to escape. But there’s a magical twist when her connection to a pack of coyotes leads to physical changes that complicate matters.

Jessica and I talked about how this story came to be, why she chose to tell it in this way, how she’s similar and different from Fud, and how she would respond to book banners who think abuse isn’t an appropriate topic for middle-grade books. I encourage you to check out the post and ensure this excellent book is on your TBR list.

[Mrs Heidrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up to 5

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This middle grade contemporary with a twist of magical realism is well-written and has a good narrator in Fud, and does a great job with the portrayal of multiple aspects of domestic violence; the ending was especially interesting in managing to keep things somewhat positive but also realistic. The pacing felt rushed, however, with little time to fully delve into aspects such as the discomfort and harassment Fud experiences from another classmate or even the emotional aftermath of the pageant, or to build the supporting cast, particularly Leigh, into full characters. The coyote element also seems somewhat confusing and misused, leaving what should have been a novel approach to the topic instead not entirely fitting.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica Vitalis uses experiences from her own troubled childhood to give middle grade readers a heartfelt look at a young life touched by poverty, homelessness and domestic abuse. Felicity (aka “Fud”) and her mom have always been on their own and at times that as meant living in a one room cabin or a car but now means living with Larry, a washed up boxer with a temper. There is a roof over their heads, but the trailer is in terrible shape and money and food are often scarce. When Leigh and her mom move into the trailer beside Fud, an unlikely friendship forms between two girls who live and look very differently. But a beauty pageant and its cash prize may be just the thing that will give Fud’s mom the strength to leave the abusive Larry. Vitalis’ Fud is not perfect and her own temper earns her two days of school suspension, but she yearns for family, friends, and safety like every one does but fears it is not in the cards for her. Interesting author’s craft choice—Fud listens to a pack of coyotes near her Wisconsin trailer, researches their habits and sounds and often finds herself behaving, seeing, and even looking like one of them as she searches for the security of the coyote’s den. So is this a realistic fiction book with hints of fantasy or is the coyote connection simply metaphorical? Reader’s choice, I think! Highly recommended for libraries serving readers in grades 4-7 and could be displayed with Jordan Sonnenblick’s The Secret Sheriff of Sixth Grade, Candice Ransom’s Rebel McKenzie, Melanie Conklin’s Every Missing Piece and Joan Bauer’s Almost Home or Close to Famous.

Thanks for the direct link to a NetGalley e-book, Jessica Vitalis!

[J.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to read an advance copy of this story and I’m so glad I did. Fud is such a heartbreakingly real character stuck in the most untenable circumstances. The way she navigates a series of impossible challenges in this story is magic!

[Erika Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fud is a seventh grader who lives with her mother and Larry, her mom’s alcoholic boyfriend, in Wyoming. They struggle financially, and Larry’s physical and emotional abuse make Fud desperate to find a way to get her and her mother out of their current situation. Fud meets a girl named Leigh who convinces her to participate in a beauty pageant. Fud is reluctant, but she wants to win the prize money for her mom. As if her life isn’t difficult enough, weird things keep happening: she grows hair in odd places, bites a fellow student, and feels deeply connected to the coyotes surrounding her trailer. But what Fud doesn’t realize is the coyotes will give her the strength she needed all along.

I have mixed feelings about this one. The message of the story is wonderful. The depiction of abuse is sad but realistic, and even though the ending isn’t the happy one that Fud wanted, it makes sense for her situation. The characters were well crafted, making me feel every range of emotion. Leigh and her mother Click were supportive, trusted characters that gave Fud a sense of safety and hope, and Fud’s mother was so frustrating but an accurate portrayal of women suffering from domestic violence. While I understand the coyote aspect and what they symbolize, I don’t think it worked well with this story. The magical realism felt out of place and not fully fleshed out. Fud’s connection to the coyotes could have been made without her seemingly turning into one throughout the book. I would rate this closer to 3.5 stars, but I think the message of this book alone makes it worth reading, especially for children and young adults. Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Audio, and Jessica Vitalis for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Before the coyote stuff happened, I would have told you magic doesn’t exist.”
🐺
Fud feels trapped. Larry used to be a good guy when he started dating her mom, but now he flies off the handle at the slightest provocation, hurting her and her mom. When the opportunity to win some prize money at a beauty pageant arises, Fud knows she has to enter so she can get her and her mom somewhere safe. With a little help from a new neighbor and coyotes, Fud does everything she can to protect the mom she loves.
👑
This was just a heartbreaking MG book, but one that too many kids have to go through. I’m so sad that some of the experiences Fud went through, the author experienced as well. I strive to be an educator kids can trust so if they ever are in this situation, they would feel comfortable telling me so I can get them help. Fans of The Benefits of Being An Octopus will connect with this story as well.

CW: domestic abuse, broken bone, hospitalization, pregnancy, alcohol, violence, emotional abuse, food shaming, poverty, classism, homelessness (mentioned), parental abandonment

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Random quotes and thoughts:
“I hated that all this was because I changed how I looked on the outside”
Disappoint about the questions the doctor should’ve asked
and Ava’s canned pageant domestic violence Q&A and the answer isn’t as simple as that from Fud’s experience of being scared you were gonna get hurt
And her answer for world hunger!
“Hadn’t been polished or perfect but at least I’d been myself”
“Sometimes leaving one pack meant finding another”
Heartfelt and lived author note with resources
“A smile or small act of kindness could make all the difference.”
Coyote magic on the surface. “It’s really about two other kinds of magic the kind that comes from loving and believing in yourself, and the kind that comes from being surrounded by people who love you, may you all find plenty of both kinds of magic in your life.”
Some hard to like adults in Fud’s life, thank heavens for Leigh’s mom.
Another book I might need to add a magical realism shelf for.

[Read by Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fud is a grade 7 girl who lives in a trailer with her mom and alcoholic stepfather Larry. When a local pageant offers $2000 to the winner, Fud sees an opportunity for herself and her mother to escape. Mysteriously, Fud feels a connection to a local pack of coyotes, and might even be transforming into one of them.

I thought this was very well-written, and presented a very realistic portrait of a life of poverty, abuse, and the vulnerability of children in abusive homes. I had no idea how the author was going to end the story, but the ending was just perfect. Highly recommended.

[BooksAsDreams (Tiffany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down! Larry’s anger and actions jump from the pages. The desperation and depression of Fud’s mom is real (and infuriating!). Poverty, hunger, and resilience are three major themes (along with friendship, bullying, and compassion). The addition of the coyotes and the magical/fantasy elements added a twist I didn’t expect. Great middle grade novel!

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an important book and a great read! Plus, I have a new fascination with coyotes.

[Shaunna MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

“This book is about the kind of magic that comes from loving and believing in yourself, and the kind of magic that comes from being surrounded by people who love you.” This is a painfully real story about poverty, alcoholism, and abuse. It deals with the courage required to ask for and receive help. I know it is going to be a mirror book to many middle grade readers, but it is also going to be a window book for others. I highly recommend reading and sharing it.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twelve-year-old Fud (Felicity Ulysses Dahlers) lives with her mom and her alcoholic ex-boxer boyfriend Larry in a small trailer in Wyoming. Prior to meeting Larry, they were homeless, as Fud's dad left shortly after finding out her mom was pregnant. Fud's clothes come from yard sales or a thrift store and every t-shirt she owns has mostly faded. She gets teased at school because of what she wears. Larry has lots of anger issues, which for now means mostly holes in the wall, but he can be verbally demeaning, volatile and tries to control Fud and her mom's every move. Which is made even more difficult because to get around they rely on his beat-up truck, which is always having problems. Larry has grand plans of getting back into the ring once his back problems stop acting up. Fud tries to stay out of his way as much as possible, but what she really wishes is for him to treat her mom better.

Then a new girl, Leigh moves into the empty trailer next door. This girl reminds Fud too much of Ava, who bullies her at school, and initially she is very hesitant when she approaches her about being friends. Leigh has all the things that Fud wants, a stable home, she even has nice clothes to wear and a full pantry of food to eat. But Leigh is so friendly and talkative, and Fud starts to overcome some of her initial hesitation in getting to know her better. Soon Leigh is convincing Fud to enter the Miss Tween Black Gold beauty pageant. The grand prize is two thousand dollars and would surely be enough for Fud and her mom to escape from Larry's control. When the pageant starts to come with some unforeseen costs, tensions increase in the trailer, and Larry begins to start physically taking it out on her mom. When Fud learns that her mom is also pregnant and that Larry wants them to move into a houseboat as soon as he's fixed it up, Fud triples her effort into winning the pageant at all costs, even hiding the fact from Leigh that she might be moving away. Soon things spiral out of control when Larry accelerates his plans for moving on to the boat on the eve of the pageant, leading Fud to courageously ask for help from Leigh's mom. Part of the story that I haven't touched on too much is how Fud morphed into a coyote, which occurred when her mom and Larry were arguing. The moments that Fud experiences these coyote thoughts and actions sort of take on a dream or imaginative quality, fantastical for sure. Yet, I'm not sure whether they just provided her a means of escape to howl at the world or whether there was an actual transformation. Either way, I think it does speak to how frustrating the situation was for her and provided a much-needed means of escape.

Fud and her mom are in a bad situation. Fud knows it's bad, but her mom makes lots of excuses for Larry's behavior and ultimately chooses to leave with him. Partially to protect Fud but also to avoid financial instability. I'd say Fud is very defensive, leery of Leigh but also really wanting her friendship. Given how the rest of the kids at school treated her, it's understandable that would be her first reaction. She doesn't want to be too optimistic and be hurt. Even though Leigh and Fud argued a few times, I'm happy that each time they were able to resolve things too. Fud really needs her in her life. Coyote Queen really sheds light on poverty, domestic abusive relationships and gives children hope that by sharing their story with a trusted adult than things can get better. I was personally touched by the authors note which describes how the story was inspired by her own childhood. It makes this story so powerful to have this first-person account and to show children that although they may be facing struggles now, that there is hope in relying on a trusted adult. I also especially appreciated all the resources that were provided for getting help. Other books that I've read and enjoyed from the author include The Wolf's Curse and The Rabbit's Gift.

[Emily Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always been a sucker for trailer park, rural settings - particularly when told through the eyes of someone as tough and determined as Fud in Coyote Queen. This was a tightly written and well paced story that dealt with the heavy topic of abuse, taken in part from the author's own childhood. I enjoyed the beauty pageant trope and Fud's friendship with Leigh. The whole coyote magic part, however, just wasn't super integrated in the meaningful way I was hoping for. Everything about this story was very grounded, gritty, and realistic in a way that I enjoyed, but the magic element felt a bit tacked on. Overall, though, it had a strong tone and many elements that I have a soft spot for in MG!

[Laila El · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved it! I read it in one sitting and it moved me to tears. I know Fud's story and Coyote Queen's message will resonate with so many middle grade readers!

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book opens young readers to the problems people might be going through

[Jan Raspen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, there was a lot of angst in this book, partially based on the author's youth. Fug is a seventh grader, living in poverty and with quite a bit of physical abuse around her at home. She tries to keep everything hidden from people at school, but when a new neighbor moves in and they become friends, some of Fug's thorny exterior breaks. And then she finds herself doing things she'd never thought she'd do, like biting a classmate and entering a beauty pageant. Fug's plan to allow her and her mom to escape the mom's boyfriend gets busted, but thanks to her new friend, there is a ray of hope for Fug. The mom, not so much...and that gave me a really sad feeling as I finished this book.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that will tear your heart to pieces and then fill it back up with love and hope. I’m grateful that there are stories like this to put on my shelves so that every student can feel seen or be able to see their neighbor in a new way. And to all of the Fuds out there, I’m sending you some coyote magic.

[Jaiden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think the author would be able to top her last two books, but this definitely does it! Hands down the best book I've ever read! Perfect for middle grade and adults alike, I highly recommend adding this to your must-read list!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Twelve-year-old Fud (Felicity Ulysses Dahlers lives with her mother and her mother's boyfriend Larry in a trailer in a remote part of Wyoming, and hopes to one day become a wildlife biologist. She and her mother have been homeless; her father was from Spain and is not in the picture. Larry is a former boxer whose career has been sidelined by a back injury, and he drinks a bit too much. When he does, he is often volatile and often hits Fud's mother. He is also very controlling of what both of them do, micromanaging the way the home is run, how the money is spent, and what Fud is allowed to do. There is very little money, and Fud's clothes all come from second hand shops or garage sales. Her classmates, like Ava, make fun of her for this. When a new girl moves in to a neighboring trailer, Fud doesn't have much hope that Leigh will be different from Ava, but she is. Leigh's mother is an artist and photographer, and the two have more resources than the Dahlers. Fud is amazed at the number of clothes that Leigh has, and the kind of food that they have in their cabinets. Leigh decides to enter the Miss Tween Black Gold Pageant, which Rud thinks is ridiculous until she finds out that there is big prize money. If she could win, maybe she and her mother could escape Larry. She agrees to enter with Leigh, and the two make the cut for the pageant. Fud didn't plan for needing an expensive dress or having a talent, but as things worsen at home, she tries to come of with a pageant plan. Larry has been hitting her mother, who is now pregnant, more and more, and he has also brought home a boat that he is hoping to renovate so that the family can live on it. Fud puts up with girls like Ava at the pageant practices who make fun of her, but she is also dealing with some weird physical symptoms; sometimes her vision goes black and white, and she feels a strong connection with a local coyote, having vivid dreams about being with the pups. As Larry's boat makes progress, Fud keeps the fact that she may move away a secret from Leigh. Things come to a head on the day of the pageant. Larry is ready to head out and has become even more controlling of Fud and her mother, Fud and Leigh having a falling out, and Fud experiences some alarming further connections with the coyotes. In the end, it's all too much, and she finally asks Leigh's mother Click for help. The author includes notes as to how the book was inspired by her own childhood, and lists resources where students can get help.
Strengths: There are not enough books about children who are struggling in their daily lives, and there are certainly many children who do struggle. Before I started teaching, I babysat two neighbor girls in the summer, and they used to open my cabinets and stare because we had food in them. Their family was fairly stable, but often struggled financially. Looking at the statistics about domestic violence, there should be many more books with children in these circumstances. I liked that Fud was realistic about her circumstances and had some strategies in place for dealing with Larry, but also that she knew this was not a way she should have to live. Leigh was especially great because she was very accepting even when Fud was reluctant to befriend anyone, and Click is a good example of a "trusted adult" we are always telling students to locate. The pageant details are not too overwhelming, and Fud's participation is very realistic. This definitely presented a picture of hope that will be valuable to many students.
Weaknesses: I could have done without the connection to the coyotes, because that does put this book firmly in the fantasy realm, like this author's Wolf's Curse or Rabbit's Gift. It's still a good story, but the introduction of fantasy elements makes it a little harder to get readers interested. I've found that Messner's 2016 The Seventh Wish, which has some similarities, takes some handselling for this reason. Other libraries may not have this problem.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who liked the mix of problems and fantasy in Smy's The Hideaway or Rauf's The Star Outside My Window or even more realistic books like Lowell's The Road to After.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something about these stories that draws me in repeatedly. Fud and his mother lived with Larry in his trailer. Fud doesn’t know much about her father except that he returned to Spain after learning her mother was pregnant with Fud. Mom thought their life would be better with Larry and I guess if living with fear and anxiety is better, then she is right.

See, mom tries to be the perfect woman for Larry, but nothing makes him happy. He’s demanding, he likes to yell, and he likes his drink. Fud tries to block out the yelling but sometimes it gets to be so loud. Fud is worried about their future with Larry, but her mother doesn’t see it that way. Larry has been physical with her mother, yet Fud doesn’t understand why her mother keeps hanging onto Larry, doesn’t she see the danger that lies up ahead? Larry was a boxing champion and he’s a big talker about his days in the ring. He’s determined that he’s headed back into the ring. Those dreams are suddenly taken away and Larry pulls a massive, defeated boat into the yard.

Larry new plans are to rehaul this shipwreck. He plans to create a new houseboat for his new family and set sail. Warning lights immediately go off inside Fud! This cannot be happening! Out on a boat, in the open waters, alone with mom and Larry, this sounds like a horrible situation! Can’t mom see this? Fud starts to calculate how long it will take Larry to overhaul this boat and what she can do to prevent them from boarding it.

Meanwhile, new neighbors move in, and Leigh seems like a nice girl which is too bad. Fud knows that Ava will add her to her posse the minute she walks into the school. It’s a shame too as Fud needs a friend. It’s surprising how much Fud and Leigh have in common and how well they get along, considering Ava influence on Leigh. Leigh ends up being the branch that Fud needs when she mentions a pageant with a cash payout as the prize. If Fud could only win that pageant, it just might be their ticket to freedom. Their ticket away from Larry.

I enjoyed how realistic this book felt and how quickly the story moved along. Great relationships and the dramatics between the characters created powerful connections with the characters that made me feel like I was part of the story. Leigh was a neutral character when she arrived, and I liked how she tried to fit in. Leigh saw individuals for who they were, even though others were trying to influence her. Fud wanted/needed a friend yet when she found Leigh, she was reluctant to really embrace her. I feared the day that Larry would finish his boat and what that would entail and as Leigh and Fud’s pageant day crept closer, these days seemed to be on a collision course. There were a lot of factors playing into Fud’s future and as the pages of this book started to dwindle, I just didn’t expect this book to end the way that it did. Such a powerful story about status, acceptance, family, friendship, poverty, and abuse. 5 stars

"To Leigh, this was plain old hair cream. To me, it was friendship in a bottle."

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Title: Coyote Queen
Author: Jessica Vitalis
Narrator: Digital Voice Galley
Publisher: Harper Audio- Greenwillow Books
Genre: Middle School
Pub Date : October 10,2023
My Rating: 3.4 Stars

Fud is twelve years-old girl heading into the Seventh Grade which she isn’t looking forward to as she knows the ‘mean beautiful girls’ will once again bully her.
She lives in a trailer with her mom and mom's abusive boyfriend Larry.
Leigh and her mom move next door and Leigh is excited about meeting Fud - someone her age and wants to be friends. Fud sees Leigh as a beautiful girl who looks like a fashion model and is sure the ‘mean girls’ will love her and turn her against Fud.
<>I have to admit when I started this I was disturbed by the domestic abuse and bullying ~ this is
not a comfortable read for any age - I hung in there hoping for a good outcome.

The girls do become friends and Leigh talks Fud into participating in a local beauty pageant. Fud doesn't care about beauty but she wants to win the prize money to get her mom out of their abusive situation.

Coyote queen has a touch of magic (or imagination?) but at times it was a struggle for me.
I was disappointed that there was a strong belief that winning a beauty pageant would be the answer. I understand winning a contest but participation in a beauty pageant can be expensive.

I know this story was based on magic and dreams which I do love but am practical enough to know there resources are available so the Author’s Note saved this story for me.
Jessica Vitalis tells us that although this is fiction her inspiration was her own life ~ this story was twenty years in the making.
She also gives many resources for help if in an abusive situation or if one is aware that someone is being abused.

Want to thank NetGalley and Harper Audio – Greenwillow Books and for this VoiceGalley Advanced Audio Edition.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 10, 2023

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life has not been easy for twelve-year-old Fud and her mother, but they have always had each other even when a roof over their heads was not a guarantee. Now, Fud is entering seventh grade, and she and her mother are living in a trailer with a man named Larry who is not as nice as he first seemed. Every day is dangerously unpredictable, and as Fud watches her mother deteriorate into bruises and illness, she knows she must be the one to get them out of their terrible situation. And when the opportunity arises in the form of a beauty pageant, Fud must step far outside of her comfort zone to give them any chance of survival.

This heartfelt middle grade novel focuses on life in messy, abusive, and often overlooked situations. Fud and her mother have never had much money, and it plagues Fud when she must shop second hand clothing in order to find something that fits. Adding to this discomfort is the bullying Fud receives at school, and her ensuing self-talk is no kinder than that of the classmates wishing her harm. Luckily, a new friend moves in who challenges the stereotypes Fud has created, and being able to witness a supportive and loving household gives Fud the courage she needs to stand up to the enemy in her own home.

No matter their personal circumstance, young readers will learn something important from this book. Focusing on a demographic that is not often featured in youth literature, this novel sheds light on the very real challenges faced by children all over the world. While the scenes of domestic abuse and peer rivalries can be difficult to read, they are important because they unapologetically showcase what happens to people every day. Though the coyote element of this book is not as strong as it could be, it gives Fud the ability to recognize and manage her intense and challenging feelings, which is something she desperately needs. Well-written, powerful, and memorable, this book is a unique and important addition to library collections for middle grade readers.