55 pages 1 hour read

Dusti Bowling

The Canyon's Edge

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Middle Grade | Published in 2020

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Important Quotes

Quotation Mark Icon

“Rewriting it means I have to think about it.”


(Part 1, Chapter 3, Page 7)

Nora’s refusal to rewrite her nightmare reveals her emotional avoidance, a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Instead, she wants to “delete it forever” (7). At the start of the novel, Nora isn’t ready to explore or analyze her feelings about her traumatic experience.

Quotation Mark Icon

“In Dad’s mind, the only danger in the world is people.”


(Part 1, Chapter 5, Page 14)

The random shooting causes Dad to develop PTSD too. He loses trust in others and becomes paranoid and overprotective. His insistence on isolation negatively impacts Nora. Like her, he allows his experience of trauma to define him.

Quotation Mark Icon

Facing fear is a skill that must be learned.”


(Part 1, Chapter 6, Page 18)

Mary is a firm but understanding presence in Nora’s head, talking her through her fears and self-doubt. Mary helps Nora remember her coping mechanisms and steers her toward healing through self-acceptance and self-confidence.

Related Titles

By Dusti Bowling

Study Guide

logo

Across The Desert

Dusti Bowling

Across The Desert

Dusti Bowling

Study Guide

logo

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

Dusti Bowling

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

Dusti Bowling

Study Guide

logo

Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus

Dusti Bowling

Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus

Dusti Bowling