I received an ARC from Netgalley. Thanks for the opportunity to review this book. Some of the subject matter is a bit deep - I'd say 7th grade up is a fit for this one. I enjoyed the story, and the unique perspective not common in many YA books.

This was not an easy read but it was an important one and at the end, hopeful. Content warnings for physical and verbal abuse and alcoholism.

That said, I am so glad I read Coyote Queen. Fud's strength, drive and resourcefulness was really wonderful to read. This book should be paired and discussed with Fighting Words. And while it may not be easy to teach or recommend to younger readers, I really do think that there are some who might need this story and feel seen by it.

A really wonderful and necessary book.

Fud's story was compelling and rang so true. A beautiful window to the world of someone in an abusive household. I adore this author's voice, and I only refrain from 5 stars due to the magical realism that may confuse younger readers.

This book is full of heart and hope. I would recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone who loves quality children's literature.

I 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.

I thought that this book had important concepts to the book, However, I thought that some parts felt too unreal for me. There are scenes where the main character envisions herself as a coyote, but I think that its difficult to differentiate those scenes from real life.

“Coyote Queen” written by J. Vitalis, contained a relatable character most readers will be rooting for. I do enjoy J. Vitalis writing style and character development, however, I found myself favoring her other works over “Coyote Queen”. It was still a good read, just not one I loved.

The main character “Fud” has an extremely heartbreaking homelife, little to no money, and a male figure in her life who is not only an alcoholic, but also abusive. Personally Fud’s transition into a wolf was not my favorite, however, on the flip side I did love the author’s notes on where one can seek help if found in a similar situation. I had gone into this title thinking fantasy, good or bad, and may be part of the reason did not love this title as much as some of her other works.

Thank you to both NetGalley, Harper Collins Children’s Books, and Greenwillow Books for providing me the opportunity to review "Coyote Queen
“. I am appreciative and leave my review voluntarily.

I'm sure this will be a fine book, but I definitely will not have time to get to the story before the archive date happens, in which case I will not be able to give my feedback. That would negatively impact my response ratio, which is not good, as I already missed out on giving feedback on so many books because this year has been so absolutely busy and stressful that I have not had the time nor mental capacity to get to many of these books before they are gone forever! It is as upsetting for both sides. I apologize, but I will do better for the future! I am appreciative that I have been giving access to so many great new releases.

Fud doesn't really fit in at school, and, at home, she's constantly trying to stay clear of her mom's new boyfriend. When Leigh moves in next door and befriends Fud, she isn't quite sure what to think of it...and is sure that Leigh will join the other "It" girls at school, just like her other friends have done in the past. Imagine her surprise when Leigh seemingly turns down the offer of friendship from these girls. When Leigh mentions a local pageant where the prize is money, Fud is intrigued as she sees a way out for her and her mother. She eventually finds out that her mom is pregnant and they are planning to live on a boat on the Mississippi River...none of this is intriguing to Fud. She loses at the pageant, but does gain enough confidence to share her troubles with Click, Leigh's mom. Fud ends up living, temporarily, with Leigh and Click and learning how even folks who seem to "have it all" still feel inadequate and are looking for acceptance too.

A wonderfully told story, albeit with some challenging parts. My heart broke for Fud throughout the story. I found the coyote thread a bit confusing until the pageant and then it seemed to make sense. I do wonder if students will be able to follow it...

I loved this story, mainly because there aren't nearly enough stories for kids who live with domestic violence and food insecurity. I think the magical realism elements make it accessible to readers who wouldn't normally pick this book up.

Pictured on the cover is twelve-year-old Felicity Ulysses Dahlers, better known as Fud. She lives with her mom in a trailer somewhere in Wyoming. Unfortunately, Larry, Mom’s abusive, alcoholic boyfriend also lives there. The ex-boxer has an uncontrollable temper.

Fud can’t understand why her mother continues to make excuses for his behavior and worries when his next anger episode will occur. Fud’s worries increase when Larry brings home a run down houseboat he intends to fix up and use as a new home for the three of them, Fud is sure life will only get worse.

Hope arrives from Leigh, a new friend from a neighboring trailer. She is going to enter the Miss Black Gold beauty pageant and wants Fud to do the same. This sounds like a terrible idea until hearing about the $2000 prize money for the winner. That cash would hopefully convince Fud’s mom to break away from Larry.

A very contemporary story turns fantastical as Fud begins to see changes in herself that mirror what she sees and hears from the coyotes in the area. Is she slowly turning into one of these creatures to escape from Larry?

The often gut-wrenching first person narration engross readers with an intense look at domestic abuse and poverty. The choices made by the adults in Fud’s life were realistic though surprising in the end. Coyote Queen is a page turning tale thanks to the Fud’s spot on voice. She rings true at every turn. Excellent writing for sure.

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: COYOTE QUEEN by Jessica Vitalis

1. Rooting for the main character doesn’t happen in every book, but in Coyote Queen you will be in Fud’s corner the entire way hoping for the best outcome.
2. Debates will begin if Fud turning into a coyote is really happening or just a part of her imagination. Either way it is a parallel to her scary life.
3. Finding help and support are important takeaways. For Fud she finds the perfect friend in the talkative Leigh and her mom. A great supporting cast.
4. The story leaves readers with the sense there is hope even in the most dire situation.
5. The author’s heartfelt background as to why she wrote the story in an important read. Also included are resources as to where one can find help if in a similar situation.

I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to read this book. Fud is a relatable character who is in a very difficult situation, desperate to get herself and her mom away from Larry, her mom's abusive boyfriend. I turned the pages quickly because I truly cared about Fud and had to know that she was going to be okay. This book is so important as it offers a glimpse into a life that might be out of many young readers' realm of experience, but is such a wonderful way to build empathy. And for those young readers in violent domestic situations, the book is an important mirror that also shows how others outside the family can help when those in the family cannot. The story has many lighter moments too and is just beautifully told.

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.

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.

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.

I really struggled to like this book. Fud’s struggle with the abuse, poverty and no support was very believable. What she was dealing with the bullying at school was realistic. I understand about the coyote part, but thought it was very unnecessary and took away from the story. I just didn’t get that part of the story. This just wasn’t my kind of book.

Felicity Ulyssa Dahlers, better known as Fud lives with her mom and her mom's abusive boyfriend Larry in a cramped trailer in Wyoming. She hopes for a better life for her and her mom, but that dream seems far off.
Fud concentrates on just getting by and staying off of Larry's radar. Little comfort she has comes from Listening to the coyotes that roam the countryside at night. The coyotes have a freedom she's not sure she'll ever have,

But, Fud has a plan, not a good one, but it’s something to work toward. If she can win the upcoming Tween Black Gold beauty pageant, and be awarded the $2000.00 prize money then she can get her and her mom into a better situation.
I didn’t think the fantasy aspect added anything to the story, but then I’m not a fantasy reader.
I was soooooo disappointed when I reached the end. I needed more, the boat trip, new baby, Fud.
Please gift your readers with a sequel Jessica Vitalis.

This is an excellent middle grade novel.

An intense story about a strong young woman seeking ways to be herself and escape abuse.

Fud has an amazing presence of mind, but she doesn't know that yet. Survival is her biggest concern. She figures that that invisibility is key, what with her clothes (bullies' cast-offs bought from Goodwill, which they notice), and her mom's abusive new boyfriend, Larry (whom they're stuck with, thanks to their poverty). She manages, for the most part, to keep away from the bullies, and often figure out how to save herself from Larry's bursts of anger. An opening scene with a carob-honey birthday cake shows early what Fud is dealing with, and how she balances her options when deciding what to do.

These choices are a key part of Fud's character: She weighs everything carefully. Sometimes, she takes chances because she needs to or wants to. When she's caught (like wearing makeup, which Larry has forbidden), she's frustrated and scared by the punishment he doles out. It's a shame that Fud doesn't have her mom at her back, but poverty has beaten her mom into a meek, obedient woman who has put Larry (and the relative security he provides) above her and her daughter's safety.

Even her mom, though, is scared by Larry's big plan: to fix up a boat and take the family out on the water, where Fud knows they'll utterly helpless. A beauty pageant offers an escape (the winnings could help them leave Larry for good), and we watch Fud steel herself to reach this goal. It's a struggle well outside her comfort zone, including when Leigh, her new neighbor and friend, takes Fud on a shopping trip to look at gowns, where she finds the perfect dress and shoes (which she could never afford). Yet Fud finds ways to be herself—and her links with the area's coyotes start playing a role. At first, it seems that Fud is imagining herself as a coyote as a means of escape—but then it starts to become real. She stops seeing most colors, and her sense of smell becomes intense. And her desires to protect herself from bullies by what a coyote might do lead to disastrous results.

I loved Fud and her well of inner strength, the way she measures her choices, and her innovative, bold thinking at the end. I also loved her bravery. She's forced to keep secrets, but the reader will understand know why Fud is holding things back. Vitalis draws a sharp, detailed portrait of poverty and abuse, and shows how one might emerge from it through trust and being yourself.

This is a beautifully-written story, and one that deserves to be a classroom read-aloud.

Coyote Queen stay with readers for a very long time -- 12-year-old Fud, trapped by living in poverty with an abusive stepfather, finds solace in the strange and miraculous appearance of a family of coyotes and hope in a new friendship with the girl next door. Even though it's out of her comfort zone, Fud decides to enter into a pageant to win prize money to help her mother escape her abuse. Before long, she must also deal with the strange transformation she is undergoing. . . is she turning into a coyote? By turns heartfelt and heartbreaking, Coyote Queen deals with painful and difficult topics with a magical touch.

Coyote Queen is both gripping and relatable. Readers will root for Fud from the very beginning. I had to keep reading to know what would happen for her. The author's note made it even more impactful.