Munro vs. the Coyote

Gr 10 Up—When Canadian teenager Munro decides to participate in a student exchange program in Australia, he brings along an unwanted, omnipresent guest—the "Coyote." Coyote unhelpfully chimes in whenever Munro begins to believe he has regained some sort of clarity and happiness after the unexpected death of his little sister, Evie. As Munro begins a volunteer program at Fair Go, an assisted-living facility for adults with special needs, he finds a deeper purpose and conviction. Coyote, however, still does his best to waylay the teen's intentions and cast doubt—is Munro directly responsible for Evie's death? Can he forgive himself, if so? As the protagonist grapples with these questions, he is treated to a fascinating tour of Brisbane, Australia, through the eyes of a group of individuals from Fair Go. Munro is a likable character, foibles and all—many teens will relate to his challenges and the underlying issues of guilt and mental illness. Groth's realistic novel is a can't-put-it-down read. Young adults will root for Munro to defeat Coyote and find peace. The mature language often borders on distraction, but most readers will find Munro's coping with death fascinating and relevant.