Coming October 10th, 2023!

Before the coyote stuff happened, I would have told you that magic didn’t exist.

Fud and Mom against the world, that’s how it always was.

Until Larry showed up.

Now they live in his trailer—and carefully follow his rules. When Larry comes home with a rusted-out boat he plans to turn into their new home, Fud vows to save them from the floating prison. But with only twenty dollars to her name, that seems as hopeless as untangling her strange connection to a nearby pack of coyotes—a connection that not even her beloved guide to Wyoming wildlife can explain.

When she has the chance to compete for the cash prize in a local beauty pageant, Fud finally sees a way out. And she won’t let anything get in the way of winning.

Not Larry’s fiery temper.
Not Mom’s recent illness.
Not the mean girls at school.
Not a secondhand dress and hand-me-down shoes.
And especially not her new, mysterious abilities that are getting stronger every day.

The Benefits of Being an Octopus meets The Nest in this contemporary middle grade novel with a magical twist about family, class, and resilience.

PREORDER YOUR COPY NOW!

“This is a powerful novel of tremendous empathy and optimism.” –– Two-time Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt

“Exquisitely written and painfully real, this is a brave and beautiful book about hard, important things.” –– Megan E. Freeman, award-winning author of ALONE

“An unflinching depiction of domestic violence and poverty interwoven with budding friendships and coyote magic. There are no easy answers, but there is hope. This book lights the way.” ––Jenn Reese, award-winning author of A Game of Fox & Squirrels

“A memorable story of ferocity, love, desperation–and the bittersweet empowerment of a girl finding her way out of difficulty. Vitalis captures painful truth with a deft touch of fantasy.” ––Kaela Rivera, award-winning author of Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls.