The Canyon's Edge

Dusti Bowling’s ability to keep you on the edge is incredible.

Nora lost her mom via a random shooting, and now she is trapped in a desert canyon where a flash flood swept her dad away. The stakes are so high. And yet: Nora’s will to survive, her love for Dad, and her inner strength, pull her beautifully through. 

In addition to the love of deserts I mention in my next recommendation, I’ve enjoyed rock climbing and a bit of slot-canyon hiking, which is what initially drew me to this book set in Arizona's Sonoran Desert. The thrilling survival story kept me turning the pages. Plus much of this book is written in verse, which makes it a quick, intense read. It does include references to Nora’s loss of a loved one in a mass shooting, so it may not be appropriate for all readers. But those who’ve lost someone suddenly (like me) will fully relate to Nora’s grief… show more.

The Canyon’s Edge is a riveting story of a young girl exploring a canyon with her father and finding herself on a desperate survival mission. The author does a remarkable job of blending prose and verse, and you will constantly hold your breath in anticipation of what’s around the corner.

I am recommending this survival story because it cuts to the heart of the emotions involved with losing a parent. Nora and her dad explore a canyon and become separated by a flood. Nora must learn to survive alone as she searches for her dad in the desert landscape fraught with life-threatening dangers. A fast-paced page-turner.

There are a million reasons to love this book! First, it speaks to the consequences of the gun violence epidemic in the United States; the book is about a tween who lost her mother one year ago in a random shooting. Nora and her father plan a hike in an Arizona valley on the anniversary of their loss, but a flash flood washes away Nora’s father and their gear, leaving her stranded. What follows is an extraordinary story that explores anxiety, PTSD, grief, and resilience. I especially love that this story is written in verse—the sparse writing heightens the emotional… show more.