A rich, immersive, page-turner.

Book Synopsis:
Two coyote friends must learn how to survive when human development threatens their homes.

Pica and Scruff, two young coyotes, are both born in the heart of a large city. Pica has a loving family and lives on a peaceful golf course. Scruff was orphaned at birth and adopted by a mysterious older coyote named Jagger.

Despite their differences, Pica and Scruff meet and become friends. Their friendship is put to the test, however, when Scruff learns that Pica’s family may have been involved in the death of his own family. The fragile peace is further disrupted when construction begins, demolishing the place where Scruff and Jagger live. And then Scruff discovers that there is a lot he doesn’t know about Jagger, the only parent he’s ever known. Scruff must decide whom to trust in order to survive and find a new place to call home.

My Musings:
I really enjoyed this lovely coming of age tale, coyote-style. Claire Gilchrist has created her characters with human qualities, but still remaining as wild coyotes - beautiful, and determined to survive. The two young pups begin their lives in the same set of loving circumstances, though their fortunes quickly deviate. Despite their different paths, Pica and Scruff must both overcome many challenges, including injury, illness, threatened habitat, depleting food sources, and competition from rival bands, as well as the more humanised issues resulting from rejection and loneliness. Street Shadows offers interesting characters, comfortably-paced action, mysteries to discover with plenty of bonus surprises, and a rewarding conclusion.

Verdict:
Four out of five stars! Confidently recommended for children, young adults, and all animal-lovers.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Dundurn via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

A lovely coming of age tale, coyote style. Pica and Scruff are two young coyotes growing up in an urban area. Pica is from a strong, fortunate family whereas Scruff is an orphan, taken in by lone male coyote Jagger. Pica and Scruff try to be friends, but there is tension between their packs, and soon a tragedy happens that drives them apart. Will Pica and Scruff ever find each other again and be friends?

I really enjoyed this story. It highlights so well the plight of wild animals, facing the destruction of their territories, and having to live amongst, but vilified by, humans. Claire Gilchrist has done marvellous job of outlining these details. Her characters have lovely human qualities, but remain, as they should, wild coyotes, beautiful, and determined to survive. This is a book aimed at children and young adults, but I have no hesitation recommending it to all lovers of animals.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. If you like stories about animals this book is a "must read". This is a bittersweet story about two coyote pups from different packs and how they survive. I would love to see a part two of this book. The author paints very vivid pictures with her words. This is the first book I've read by Claire Gilchrist and I was touched by how she told this story. Thank you Dundurn via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.