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ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSThirteen-year-old Canyon Cress lives in Cow Creek, Arizona, and rides bulls most weekends at the Spur Cross Arena, chasing eight seconds on animals with names like Bruiser and Storm Chaser. Three years ago a drunk driver killed his mother, Phoenix Symphony violinist Cheyenne "Shy" Cress, in the same crash that ended his father Austin's own run at a bull riding world championship. Since then Austin has slipped into drinking and pulled away from the family, and Canyon keeps riding partly because he hopes that if his father sees him do well enough, he will come back to who he used to be. Canyon's grandma Cora and his little sister Josie fill in around his dad's absence, and his best friends Tate and Dakota ride alongside him as the last qualifying rounds before the Junior Bull Riding World Championship in Las Vegas approach. What almost nobody knows is that once Josie is asleep each night, Canyon secretly plays the fiddle his mother taught him, and a nudge from his orchestra teacher pushes him to quietly send an audition tape to the TV talent show American Superstar, a decision that will end up mattering far more than he expects.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Holding on for Dear Life
SPOILERSEvery one of these has the same answer, and that is the point. In a real battle the question is read aloud with a dozen other books in play, and students have a few seconds to place it. Here is what a battle might ask about Holding on for Dear Life. Use them as a quiz, a trivia round, or BOTB practice.
Where in the book they come from
- Early in the book
In what book does a boy find a whiskey bottle hidden between garbage bags in the trash can?
✓ Answer
Holding on for Dear Life by Dusti Bowling
Canyon takes out the trash and finds the bottle Austin tried to bury, which means his dad's good stretch is over. Canyon decides not to tell Grandma, because he believes one eight second ride will fix everything on its own.
- First half
In what book does a six-year-old race across an arena and dive onto a sheep?
✓ Answer
Holding on for Dear Life by Dusti Bowling
Josie begs to try mutton busting, Canyon says no, and the moment he looks away she runs into the arena with no helmet and no vest. She rides long enough for the announcer to lose his mind, then lands hard and sprains her wrist.
- First half
In what book does a boy read an email inviting him to audition live in Las Vegas?
✓ Answer
Holding on for Dear Life by Dusti Bowling
Canyon races to the school library to check the account he used for his secret audition video, and American Superstar has written back. He has to cover his mouth to keep from whooping while the librarian reminds him he will miss his bus.
- Second half
In what book did a teenage girl ride a bull because some boys said she couldn't?
✓ Answer
Holding on for Dear Life by Dusti Bowling
Grandma Cora stayed on for more than eight seconds, then stood up with blood pouring from a gash over her eye and stared those boys down. Canyon turned that family story into the song he recorded for his audition video.
- Second half
In what book does a rider get hung up when his foot catches in the flank strap?
✓ Answer
Holding on for Dear Life by Dusti Bowling
Tate slides off Wonderstruck at seven seconds but can't fall free, so the bull tramples him while he dangles. Ray grabs the horns and Uncle Ty throws himself across the bull's back to work the foot loose.
- Near the end
In what book does a boy score ninety-one points on a bull named Money Ride?
✓ Answer
Holding on for Dear Life by Dusti Bowling
It's the highest score Canyon has ever earned, and it puts him in first place after the opening round of the world championship. His head is already pounding as he runs for the fence, even though he never hit it.
