The Prince and the Coyote

The Prince and the Coyote fictionalizes the extraordinary true story of Nezahualcoyotl, the poet-king of pre-Columbian Mexico, following fifteen-year-old Prince Acolmiztli as a palace plot kills his family and forces him into treacherous exile, where he takes a new name meaning 'Fasting Coyote' and resolves to reclaim his throne. Weaving Nezahualcoyotl's actual surviving poetry into an immersive historical narrative alongside striking illustrations, David Bowles brings to life one of the Americas' greatest minds, who would go on to help found the Aztec Triple Alliance.

This Pura Belpré Honor-winning epic is an outstanding choice for advanced students because it introduces a celebrated Indigenous historical figure largely absent from Western curricula through a gripping, poetic, and meticulously researched story.

Publishing Details

Author : David Bowles

Illustrator : Amanda Mijangos

Author Nationality : United States

Physical Details

Type of Book: Chapter

Cover: Hardcover

Pages: 440

Size: 5.9 x 9.1 inches

Year Published: 2023

Instructional Details

Reading Grade Level: 9th-12th

Genre: Fiction

Sub-Genre: Historical Fiction

Theme: Native Americans, Indigenous People, War, Hispanic Heritage Month