Hatchet meets Long Way Down in this heartfelt and gripping novel in verse about a young girl's struggle for survival after a climbing trip with her father goes terribly wrong. One year after a random shooting changed their family forever, Nora and her father are exploring a slot canyon deep in the Arizona desert, hoping it will help them find peace. Nora longs for things to go back to normal, like they were when her mother was still alive, while her father keeps them isolated in fear of other people. But when they reach the bottom of the canyon, the unthinkable happens: A flash flood rips across their path, sweeping away Nora's father and all of their supplies. Suddenly, Nora finds herself lost and alone in the desert, facing dehydration, deadly snakes, venomous scorpions, and, worst of all, the Beast who has terrorized her dreams for the past year. If Nora is going to save herself and her father, she must conquer her fears, defeat the Beast, and find the courage to live her new life. Don't miss Dusti Bowling's new novel, Dust , available for preorder now.  Gr 4-7-Since the fateful day her mother was killed one year ago, Nora and her father have continually withdrawn further from society. Protecting their memories is how they've endured. While burying emotions seems to be Nora's strength, a hiking trip in Arizona's Sonoran Desert is about to change everything. A flash flood leaves Nora alone at the bottom of a canyon; no father, no supplies, and very little hope. If she's going to make it out alive, Nora must put her survival skills to the test and not only survive the desert, but face personal demons. Bowling delivers a poignant depiction of a young girl dealing with anxiety and PTSD. Bookended by narrative, the text transofrms seamlessly to verse in the middle (when Nora is alone in the canyon) to intensely convey Nora's thoughts and feelings. The continued struggle over her mother's death plays into her strife in the desert through flashbacks of therapy sessions from the past year. Forced to be alone with her thoughts, Nora battles what it means to survive versus what it means to live. As she gradually succeeds in getting out of the canyon, Nora realizes that a person is not defined by one moment, but rather, their resilience and growth over time. VERDICT For readers who bloomed under Leza Lowitz's Up From the Sea or Jasmine Warga's Other Words for Home, this emotionally resonant survival tale is a must-have.-Emily Walker, Lisle Lib. Dist., ILα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Praise for The Canyon's Edge : A 2020 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Kids Book * "... 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 * “A fast-paced, gripping novel…the high level of tension and the emotional pull of Bowling’s writing make this a praiseworthy, adventure-filled story .”― Publishers Weekly, 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 Dusti Bowling is the bestselling author of Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, 24 Hours in Nowhere , Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus , and The Canyon's Edge. Dusti holds a B.S. in Psychology and lives in Arizona with her husband, three daughters, a dozen tarantulas, a gopher snake named Burrito, a king snake name Death Noodle, and a cockatiel named Gandalf the Grey.