From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8–Leonard's knack for creating intriguing, strong characters is evident in his first children's book. While chasing down his latest meal, Antwan, a hip-talking coyote, makes his way into a Hollywood home, where he meets two dogs–Buddy, an aging film star, and Miss Betty, a champion poodle. In a reversal of roles, Buddy decides that living in the Hollywood Hills as a wild dog with Antwan's homeboys would suit him just fine and he talks the coyote into taking his place as a pampered pet. He comes up with a plan to convince his owners that Antwan is actually a stray dog, and the coyote is soon adopted. After many misadventures and subplots, including Miss Betty's scheme to kidnap a cat for Buddy to rescue in order to help the German shepherd overcome his feelings of being a has-been, the animals land back in their original location, feeling content with the way things have ended. Leonard's enlightening descriptions of the movie business may please adults more than youngsters, but all readers will delight in the growing friendship among the characters. Humorous black-and-white drawings with red accents–Buddy's film trademark is a red bandanna–add further interest.–Ellen Fader, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


From AudioFile
Leonard once again satirizes the film industry. When Antwan, a cool coyote, enters the home of Miss Betty, a snooty show dog, and Buddy, a depressed movie star dog whose career is on the wane, Buddy and Antwan conspire to pass the coyote off as a dog to their clueless human family. But can Antwan be trusted? Neil Patrick Harris delivers an edgy narration in which tension is balanced with humor. Harris is the actor's equivalent of a one-man band, becoming each character from the inside out. This is great entertainment for those not bothered by stereotypical characterizations or the cat-eating habits of coyotes. E.S. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
*Starred Review* Gr. 5-8. Anthropomorphism in fiction and film is often derided as a cheap trick, and rightfully so. But not when Elmore Leonard is writing the dialogue. Leonard's first children's book begins with a beguiling premise: hip coyote Antwan, leader of his pack in the Hollywood Hills, is foraging for garbage when he makes the acquaintance of German shepherd Buddy, a retired film star. Buddy is bored and has decided he'd like the freedom of the coyote's life in the wild, while Antwan, who quickly develops a taste for peanut-butter cookies, is interested in getting to know Miss Betty, a prizewinning poodle who lives with Buddy's family. Antwan successfully passes as a dog, but Buddy resents being displaced as the canine star of the family, prompting Antwan and Miss Betty to hatch a plan in which the German shepherd will be returned to the limelight. The story is good fun, but the real pleasure here, as in Leonard's adult novels, lies in listening to the characters banter with one another. Kids won't get all the Hollywood jokes or pick up the references to Leonard's Get Shorty, but they will respond instantly to the way Antwan and his pals work the humans to their advantage. A poignant ending gives the tale just the right edge, showing that Leonard can mix comedy and reality as nimbly for a younger audience as he does for adults. Bill Ott
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Boston Globe
"Everything Elmore Leonard touches turns to gold."


Entertainment Weekly
"The man knows how to grab you."


New York Times Book Review
"Leonard gives us as much serious fun per word as anyone around."


Book Description
The first ever
children's book from
the New York Times
bestselling master
of contemporary fiction

Buddy's an aging movie star.
Antwan's a rough-and-tumble loner.
And Miss Betty, the show girl, is a princess.

Different in nearly every way, they share one thing: they're all dogs...at heart.

Though Antwan's the leader of his pack and loves hanging in the hills, feasting from Hollywood's chicest garbage cans, he's too curious a coyote to turn down his new friend Buddy's invitation to see how the other half lives. Convincing his new human family he's a mysterious pooch named Timmy, Antwan quickly becomes part of the brood.

But as Antwan's star rises, Buddy's spirits fall. Past his prime to humans, Buddy wants to chuck the luxury and live in the wild -- if Antwan will show him how. To cheer up their pal, Antwan and Miss Betty concoct a daring plan, setting off a chain of uproarious adventures that will teach them all a few new tricks about friendship, family, and life.

Filled with the spot-on dialogue and clever plotting that have made Elmore Leonard top dog among writers of every breed, A Coyote's in the House reveals the inner life of canines -- wild and domesticated -- in a fresh, funny tale for the young and the young at heart.


About the Author
Elmore Leonard has written more than three dozen books during his highly successful writing career, including the bestsellers Tishomingo Blues, Be Cool, Get Shorty, and Rum Punch, and his most recent critically acclaimed collection of short stories, When the Women Come Out to Dance. Many of his books have been made into movies, including Get Shorty and Out of Sight. He is the recipient of the Grand Master Award of the Mystery Writers of America. He lives with his wife, Christine, in Bloomfield Village, Michigan.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Buddy's an aging German movie star. Antwan's a rough-and-tumble loner. And Miss Betty is a princess. Different in nearly every way, they share one thing: They're all dogs...at heart. Antwan may be content to feast from Hollywood's choicest garbage cans, but he's too curious and spirited a coyote to turn down Buddy's invitation to see how the other half lives. Convincing his new family he's a mysterious pooch named Timmy, Antwan quickly becomes their favorite "pet," stealing the old shepherd's spotlight. To cheer up Buddy, Antwan and Miss Betty concoct a daring plan that will set off a chain of uproarious adventures.

Filled with spot-on dialogue and clever plotting that have made Elmore Leonard top dog among writers of every breed, A Coyote's in the House reveals the inner life of canines in a fresh, funny tale for the young and the young at heart.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Leonard knows a thing or two about movies (he's seen 18 of his novels make it to the big screen, including Get Shorty and Jackie Brown), and he sets his entertaining debut children's book in the Hollywood hills. German shepherd Buddy, the canine star of movies such as Buddy to the Rescue, helped put his human family in the lap of luxury. But now that he's retired, life in his suburban home seems to revolve around a pampered poodle named Miss Betty-and Buddy is bored of playing second fiddle. Enter Antwan, a wild coyote whose passion for food is matched by his disdain for domesticated pets ("The dog's forgot who he is. Thinks he's only supposed to do what his master wants," Antwan says the first time he spies Buddy in a nearby park). Antwan and Buddy approach each other with caution at first, and even threaten to butt heads. But they soon come to respect each other-and decide to trade places. The adventure may be slim and the plot travels familiar ground, but the dialogue sparkles and allows Leonard to satirize domestic life ("You too used to food comes out of a bag," he lectures Miss Betty, "That's what I'd call being housebroken, not the other thing, peeing on the carpet.... [Y]ou've lost your taste for regular food"). Black-and-red illustrations throughout resemble film stills-perhaps the book will be Buddy's ticket back to the big screen? Ages 10-up. (June) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

KLIATT - Paula Rohrlick

The best-selling author of mystery and western novels tries his hand at literature for younger readers in this humorous tale about a curious coyote. Antwan, the streetwise leader of a coyote pack, wants to know how domesticated canines live. He meets an aging German shepherd and former movie star named Buddy and a beautiful poodle, Miss Betty, who conspire to have him move into their house. They teach him how to pass himself off as a dog, and "Timmy," as he comes to be known, starts to get so much attention that Buddy becomes depressed. To cheer him up by reminding him of his heroic acting stunts, Antwan and Miss Betty come up with a plan to kidnap a Persian cat so that Buddy can save her, but all goes wrong. In the end, of course, Buddy proves his heroism in a different way, and Antwan returns to the hills. Leonard's dialogue crackles realistically, as always, but the plot is somewhat strained, and younger readers may not care about the movie references, or even get them. Still, this is a light entertainment that dog lovers in particular will enjoy. KLIATT Codes: J—Recommended for junior high school students. 2004, HarperCollins, 160p. illus., Ages 12 to 15.

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Leonard's knack for creating intriguing, strong characters is evident in his first children's book. While chasing down his latest meal, Antwan, a hip-talking coyote, makes his way into a Hollywood home, where he meets two dogs-Buddy, an aging film star, and Miss Betty, a champion poodle. In a reversal of roles, Buddy decides that living in the Hollywood Hills as a wild dog with Antwan's homeboys would suit him just fine and he talks the coyote into taking his place as a pampered pet. He comes up with a plan to convince his owners that Antwan is actually a stray dog, and the coyote is soon adopted. After many misadventures and subplots, including Miss Betty's scheme to kidnap a cat for Buddy to rescue in order to help the German shepherd overcome his feelings of being a has-been, the animals land back in their original location, feeling content with the way things have ended. Leonard's enlightening descriptions of the movie business may please adults more than youngsters, but all readers will delight in the growing friendship among the characters. Humorous black-and-white drawings with red accents-Buddy's film trademark is a red bandanna-add further interest.-Ellen Fader, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

AudioFile

Leonard once again satirizes the film industry. When Antwan, a cool coyote, enters the home of Miss Betty, a snooty show dog, and Buddy, a depressed movie star dog whose career is on the wane, Buddy and Antwan conspire to pass the coyote off as a dog to their clueless human family. But can Antwan be trusted? Neil Patrick Harris delivers an edgy narration in which tension is balanced with humor. Harris is the actor's equivalent of a one-man band, becoming each character from the inside out. This is great entertainment for those not bothered by stereotypical characterizations or the cat-eating habits of coyotes. E.S. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews