Listen to a sample
Holding on for Dear Life
- Author
- Dusti Bowling
- Narrator
- Jay Reum
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Publish Date
- 7 October 2025
- Run Time
- 5 hours 20 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
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.
Critics Review
-
* Deploying melodic prose that sings with the trademark melancholy and yearning of a country song, Bowling crafts a distinctive, nuanced protagonist in Canyon, whose gentle first-person POV guides readers to an emotionally satisfying resolution.
Publishers Weekly, starred review
-
An empowering story about boys and men learning to reinvent themselves in the wake of pain and tragedy.
Kirkus Reviews
-
This story of chasing impossible dreams will likely resonate with many readers.
School Library Journal
-
A quick read. . . . Ends on a high note.
Booklist
See more reviews See fewer reviews
-
Bowling’s latest offering charges into the world of competition in a way that can captivate even those uninterested in the sport. . . Authentic and compassionate.
BCCB
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Dusti Bowling
- Narrator
- Jay Reum
- Duration
- 5 hours 20 minutes
- Release Date
- 7 October 2025
- ISBN
- 9781547617470
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Genre
- Children’s / Teenage fiction: Family and home stories
Synopsis
Bloomsbury presents Holding on for Dear Life by Dusti Bowling read by Jay ReumAcclaimed 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.
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.