About the Book

When a Black boy is banished to predominantly white Vermont to live with his relatives while his parents divorce, he forges a deep bond with a coyote that seems as alone and misunderstood as he feels. To protect the coyote from trappers, he embarks on a life-changing adventure that reshapes everything he knows about belonging and family.

Book Synopsis

Twelve-year-old King has been banished to the Vermont woods for the summer, and there's nothing he can do about it. As if his parents getting divorced wasn't bad enough, they've shipped him off to his aunt and uncle's house to protect him like he's some baby. The only bright side is being reunited with his favorite cousin, Nat, who he hasn't seen in years. At first, King wants nothing more than to go home to Boston. There are barely any other Black people in Vermont, the townsfolk are mean to him, and his relatives don't even have Wi-Fi to play games! But a late-night encounter with a young coyote changes his mind. King develops a bond with the creature, who seems just as lonely and misunderstood as he is. Then King's uncle calls the local trappers, saying the coyote is a threat to their farm, and King is forced to decide: return home to Boston, or stay and save his new friend? With the help of Nat, a veteran wilderness explorer and walking wildlife encyclopedia, King scales mountains, faces off against skunks, and sleeps under the stars to find a new home for the coyote--and just maybe, a home for himself, too. Inspired by her own childhood traipsing through the Vermont wilderness, debut author Rachael MeyersJones brings a fresh take to the classic wilderness survival tale.

Review Quotes

"What begins as the story of an anxious, homesick boy becomes a heartwarming tale of risking everything for a fellow creature and learning a lesson about belonging and the strength of family. . . . An uplifting story of family and finding your place in the world." --Kirkus Reviews