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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_
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From

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
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