Holding on for Dear Life

By Dusti Bowling

A boy risks everything in bull riding to mend his fractured family, but a new dream challenges his path.

4.5/5 Goodreads · 474 ratings

240 pages

$17.99Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

Thirteen-year-old Canyon is torn between the dangerous thrill of bull riding and the healing power of music. As his father's health declines, Canyon believes winning a championship could mend their fractured bond. But when a music competition offers a new path, he must decide if risking his body is worth the cost. Will Canyon find the courage to let go of the past and embrace a new dream, or will he sacrifice everything for a fleeting connection? The stakes are high, and the choices are life-changing.

From the publisher

Acclaimed author Dusti Bowling takes the bull by the horns in this moving novel about a boy struggling to keep his family together while facing the side effects of bull riding. Thirteen-year-old Canyon loves bull riding, but the sport doesn’t exactly love him back. His body is in constant pain and doctors have warned him about the dangers of his repeated concussions, but bull riding is the only thing he and his dad connect on ever 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 secret way to help his hurt: playing the fiddle. When Canyon is unexpectedly 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. Soon Canyon begins to wonder if he’s holding on to all the right things, or if there are some he needs to let go of.

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