Holding on for Dear Life

Ages 8 to 12

Acclaimed author Dusti Bowling tells the story of a boy trying to keep his family together while facing side effects from the sport he loves.

Canyon loves bull riding, but the sport doesn't exactly love him back. Doctors have warned him about his repeated concussions, but bull riding is the only thing he and his dad connect on since Canyon's mom died. Canyon is convinced winning the Junior World Bull Riding championship will be the thing to bring them together again, that once he has that shiny belt buckle all the pain will be worth it. Besides, Canyon has a way to help his hurt: playing the fiddle.

When Canyon is chosen for a music competition show, a new dream begins to form. But Dad is getting worse, and Canyon feels more pressure than ever to hold his family together—even if it means choosing to hurt himself bull riding over healing through music. But is Canyon holding on to all the right things? Or are there some he needs to let go of?

About the Author

Dusti Bowling is the award-winning, Publishers Weekly bestselling author of ten middle grade and chapter books. Her books have garnered numerous starred reviews and have won multiple awards including the Reading the West Award, the Sakura Medal, a Golden Kite Honor, the William Allen White Children's Book Award, and have been nominated for over fifty state awards. Her books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections and have been named best books of the year by the Chicago Public Library, Kirkus, Bank Street College of Education, A Mighty Girl, Shelf Awareness, and many more. Dusti currently lives in Eagar, Arizona with her husband, three daughters, and a bunch of farm animals. dustibowling.com • @dustibowling