A Pup Called Trouble

Gr 3–6—An exuberant and curious coyote pup is aptly named Trouble. His parents worry that their youngster's inquisitiveness will lead him astray. In an attempt to set boundaries for their impish offspring, the parents show Trouble and his siblings the makers (humans) and warn them to have nothing to do with this clan. Trouble, however, cannot stay away, and one night his nosiness finally leads him into a precarious situation. He is exploring a farm truck when he finds himself on the move, ending up at a farmer's market in New York City. Trouble alternates between fear, homesickness, and delight as he navigates new environments, tries new foods, and settles into a comfortable life in Central Park with his new friends, Mischief the crow, Rosebud the opossum, an owl named Professor, and Minette the poodle. When Trouble draws the attention of an animal control officer, he's desperate to reunite with his family. Based on real-life instances of coyotes inhabiting Central Park, Pyron's tale deftly navigates the animal adventure genre with a lively voice. Readers will be captivated as Trouble and his friends work together to find safety and, eventually, return home. Each creature grows as a character, exhibiting bravery, compassion, and sacrifice. A variety of humans, kind and horrid, round out the story and play roles in Trouble's eventual reunion with his family. Critter Notes at the end provide factual information on the animals in the book.