A Quiet Summer of Growth, Family, and Finding Your Place
đ˛ King Coyote by Rachael Meyers Jones Review
King Coyote by Rachael Meyers Jones is a reflective middle grade novel that blends themes of family change, identity, and nature. Set against the backdrop of rural Vermont, this story follows twelve-year-old King as he navigates a summer he never asked forâone filled with unfamiliar surroundings, emotional upheaval, and unexpected connections.
While it didnât completely wow me, it still delivered a solid, meaningful reading experience with characters and moments that felt real and relatable.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the book and my honest review. This book tour is sponsored by Toppling Stacks Tours. Follow the tour and find out what others are saying about King Coyote.
đż What the Book Is About
After his parentsâ divorce, King is sent away from Boston to spend the summer with relatives he barely knows in the Vermont woods. To him, it feels more like punishment than protection. Thereâs no Wi-Fi, barely anyone who looks like him, and the whole place feels isolating and uncomfortable.
The one bright spot is his cousin Nat, whose optimism and adventurous spirit balance out Kingâs hesitation and frustration.
Things begin to shift when King encounters a young coyote. Seeing himself reflected in the animalâs loneliness and vulnerability, King forms a bond with it. But when his uncle calls trappers, labeling the coyote a threat, King must make a choiceâreturn to the life he knows or stay and fight for something (and someone) heâs come to care about.
đ My Thoughts
This book sits comfortably in the âgood but not unforgettableâ category for me. Itâs the kind of story thatâs easy to read and emotionally grounded, but it doesnât take many risks or deliver major surprises.
King as a character is definitely the highlight. His reactions to being thrown into country lifeâespecially dealing with spiders, isolation, and unfamiliar family dynamicsâfelt incredibly relatable and often made me smile. His struggle with his parentsâ divorce also added a layer of emotional authenticity that made his journey feel genuine.
Nat was another bright spot. Her positivity and adventurous personality brought energy to the story and helped balance out Kingâs more hesitant outlook. Their dynamic felt natural and added warmth to the narrative.
That said, the plot itself is very quiet and predictable. While the story flows nicely, it doesnât offer many twists or moments that truly stand out. Itâs more about internal growth than external excitementâwhich works, but also means it may not linger long after you finish.
đž Top 5 Reasons to Read King Coyote
1. Relatable Main Character
Kingâs feelings about family changes, being out of his comfort zone, and dealing with new environments are incredibly realistic and easy to connect with.
2. Honest Portrayal of Divorce and Family Dynamics
The emotional impact of Kingâs parentsâ divorce is handled with care and authenticity, making it a strong point of the story.
3. Nature and Wilderness Elements
From encounters with wildlife to outdoor adventures, the Vermont setting adds a peaceful, immersive backdrop.
4. Strong Cousin Relationship
Natâs character brings positivity, knowledge, and a sense of adventure that enhances the story and helps King grow.
5. Gentle, Character-Driven Storytelling
If you enjoy quieter books focused on emotional growth rather than action-packed plots, this one fits perfectly.
âď¸ Final Thoughts
Overall, King Coyote is a solid middle grade read that shines through its characters and emotional relatability rather than its plot. Itâs a calm, introspective story that explores identity, belonging, and the challenges of growing up during difficult transitions.
While it didnât completely stand out or linger long after finishing, itâs still a worthwhile readâespecially for those who enjoy quieter, character-focused stories with a touch of nature and heart.
If youâre looking for something comforting, reflective, and easy to connect with, King Coyote is definitely worth picking up. đ˛đş
About the book:
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Publishing date: April 14, 2026
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Rep: Black
Synopsis:
Twelve-year-old King has been banished to the Vermont woods for the summer, and thereâs nothing he can do about it. As if his parents getting divorced wasnât bad enough, theyâve shipped him off to his aunt and uncleâs house to protect him like heâs some baby. The only bright side is being reunited with his favorite cousin, Nat, who he hasnât 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 donât 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 Kingâs 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 coyoteâand 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.
Content Warning: racism, mentions of putting an animal down, animal cruelty
Meet the author:
Rachael Meyers Jones is a neurospicy writer and nonprofit executive director based in Oakland, California, where she lives with her husband and anxious black cat Chi Chi. Oakland is also known as Huichin, the unceded territory of the Chochenyo-speaking Ohlone people who continue to steward and thrive on the land. Rachael grew up in both Boston, Massachusetts, and the Northeast Kingdom, Vermont, splitting her time between urban and rural environments. Her writing has been shaped by her experiences as a Mixed Black woman, and by the many amazing young people sheâs known throughout her career. Rachael strives to build and protect consistent communities of care for Black & Brown youth. She loves cooking for her friends and family, making stained glass windows and other visual arts, Prince, and being outside by a lake somewhere. Rachael is the Executive Director of Youth on Root, a grassroots youth environmental justice leadership nonprofit based in California. Her debut novel, King Coyote, will be released on April 14th, 2026.