Holding on for Dear Life

Gr 4 Up–Thirteen-year-old Canyon wants the world to know he is a Cress, a boy who will carry on his father’s bull-riding legacy. Desperate for his dad’s attention, Canyon endures one injury after another to prove his worth. At home, grappling with his mother’s death, Canyon tries to pick up for his alcoholic dad’s slack, especially when it comes to taking care of his younger sister Josie. Josie loves Canyon’s other talent—playing the fiddle like their late mother. When Canyon encounters an opportunity to pursue this gentler outlet, he is torn between listening to his heart and clinging to a bond with his father. Bowling deals with heavy topics deftly in this novel, including a subtle exploration of sexism and class. All characters are cued white. While the pacing lags in places, and the secondary characters deserve more depth, this story of chasing impossible dreams will likely resonate with many readers.