Publishers Weekly
★ 09/27/2021
In downtown Phoenix, Jolene, 12 and cued white, is watching her favorite livestream. Hosted by her virtual friend Addie Earhart, also white, who lives more than 100 miles away and with whom Jolene exchanges direct messages, the young explorer’s show helps Jolene escape from her own reality. A couple of years ago, Jolene and her mother were in a car accident that has left the latter with an Oxycodone addiction; the resulting home situation leaves Jolene isolated and hungry (“My life is so filled with If I hads that it sometimes feels like I’m drowning in them”). But then Jolene is the sole witness to Addie’s ultralight-trike crash. Capturing friendship history and mutual loss through the girls’ messages, Bowling (The Canyon’s Edge) immerses readers into Jolene’s small world, and how it slowly opens as she follows her own path, fighting against her own PTSD “car-crash feeling” and the discouragement of others, to rescue Addie and perhaps herself. Bowling’s passion for the desert and its inhabitants—as well as a personal understanding of children of adults with addictions—is clear and powerful in this tense, poignant story about the essential nature of friendship and life’s unexpected possibilities. Back matter features an author’s note. Ages 8–12. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
* “Readers will soar along with Jolene into the prospect of better days.”—Booklist, starred review
* “Instantly compelling.”—School Library Journal, starred review
* “[A] tense, poignant story about the essential nature of friendship and life’s unexpected possibilities.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Experience has taught Jolene she can only count on herself, and she doesn't think she counts for much. But when she witnesses her friend's accident in the desert via live stream, she finds the strength to rescue them both. Across the Desert combines compelling adventure, honesty, danger, and love."—Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, two-time Newbery Honoree and #1 New York Times bestselling author of The War That Saved My Life and Fighting Words.
Praise for The Canyon's Edge:
* "Stunning.... An edge-of-your-seat read."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "This emotionally resonant survival tale is a must-have."—School Library Journal, starred review
* "Powerful...a triumphant story of healing and bravery."—Booklist, starred review
"Beautifully written. [Dusti] Bowling is a master storyteller."—Midwest Book Review
"A powerful, heart-thumping story about survival and the inner strength it takes to reclaim life after trauma. Nora shows us that it's possible to emerge stronger than we've ever been before."—Ann Braden, award-winning author of The Benefits of Being an Octopus
"You won't be able to stop turning pages of this gripping, unforgettable novel with emotional depth and resonance as you cheer for Nora to conquer her inner and outer beasts."—Donna Gephart, award-winning author of Lily and Dunkin, The Paris Project, and Abby, Tried and True
"A haunting, heart-pounding story of survival, brilliantly told in verse. The Canyon's Edge will inspire, uplift and resonate. I loved it!"—Barbara Dee, author of Maybe He Just Likes You and My Life in the Fish Tank
"A gutsy, page-turning tale of courage, survival, and healing, told in dynamic verse. The Canyon's Edge is powerful, unflinching, and full of heart."—Chris Baron, author of All of Me
"Thrilling."—BookPage
School Library Journal
★ 10/01/2021
Gr 3–7—Twelve-year-old Jolene is used to taking care of herself. Ever since a car accident severely injured her mother and caused her slide into opioid addiction, Jolene is alternately upset with and fiercely protective of her, despite their descent into poverty and occasional homelessness. She takes refuge from the Phoenix heat in the library each day, where she reserves travel books, draws maps, researches remarkable female pioneers, and follows livestreamer Addie Earhart's aerial adventures. Addie is grieving the loss of her father and flying their ultralight plane alone in the desert without her mother's knowledge, and the lonely pair strike up a connection. When Addie crash lands and the impact cuts off the feed, Jolene can't get anyone to go search for her. She has a pretty good idea of where Addie might be, and, realizing she's the only one who knows about the accident, scrounges meager supplies and sets out by bus to find her. Luckily for Jolene, she meets 17-year-old Marty on her journey, and the two end up searching for Addie together. Jolene's voice is instantly compelling, making suspending disbelief at the unique and dangerous scenario quite easy. The tension ratchets up insidiously as the desert heat rises and time seems to keep running out. Alongside the budding friendships, the depiction of parental addiction is utterly realistic and heartbreaking. VERDICT The book's dedication, "For you, the child of an addict, I see you," says it all. A first purchase.—Brenda Kahn, Tenakill M.S., Closter, NJ
Kirkus Reviews
2021-07-27
Twelve-year-old Jolene embarks on a desperate rescue mission after witnessing a life-threatening accident.
Jolene’s single mother has spiraled into opioid addiction following a car accident, plunging the family into poverty and making Jolene a target for school bullies. The budding cartographer dreams of exploring the world beyond Phoenix and passionately admires bold, pioneering women of the past. Using public library computers, she watches the Arizona wilderness adventures of a girl her age who goes by Addie Earhart. One day, Addie’s ultralight crashes, and, as the only person viewing the livestream, Jolene knows she must seek help. After failing to convince any grown-ups (including her mom) to believe her story—and aware that undue attention could lead to a visit from Child Protective Services, landing her back in foster care—Jolene sneaks out equipped only with a backpack of meager, scrounged supplies; her mother’s ancient cellphone; and her handmade map. While traveling by Greyhound she meets 17-year-old Marty, who has her own painful family secrets. The two develop an affectionately contentious relationship and ultimately risk their lives, traversing the harsh landscape in search of Addie. Bowling’s portrait of this determined, guarded, bright spark of a girl is moving and tender. Supporting characters are less well fleshed out, but readers will appreciate the compassionate, unflinching representation of the impact of parental substance abuse. The desert rescue is no less gripping for requiring some suspension of disbelief. Characters default to White.
A page-turner with heart. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)
