Review: Holding on for Dear Life

Written By Dusti Bowling

New York: Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Bloomsbury Publishing Inc., 2025. 228 pages.

Canyon loves bull riding…or so he says. He is a thirteen-year-old bull rider who wants so badly to impress his father—a one-time bull riding champion who tends to be either depressed or drunk ever since Canyon’s mom died. However, Canyon’s body is plagued by pain and the side effects of numerous concussions due to the sport he says he loves. The only thing that can help ease the pain from his injuries is when he plays his fiddle, just like his mom used to.

Canyon is a great kid who has a passion for being a real cowboy and for being there for his family, especially his younger sister. This is a great book full of grit, bull riding adventures, and heart—with a little music thrown in on the side. Kids who want to read about cowboys and the dangers they face and the choices they make (from all the nerves of getting on a couple thousand pounds of muscle to dealing with family/friend drama) will love reading this book.

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