Tucson Festival of Books

Dusti Bowling (she/her/hers)


Dusti Bowling grew up, as her family will tell you, with her nose in a book. She currently lives in Arizona with her husband, three daughters, and a bunch of farm animals. Her books include, "The Beat I Drum," "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus," "The Canyon's Edge," and "Holding on for Dear Life."

Visit website | Arizona author

Awards: Reading the West Award, the Sakura Medal, Golden Kite Honor, William Allen White Children's Book Award, Volunteer State Book Award, Land of Enchantment Book Award, Beehive Book Award, Grand Canyon Reader Award, California Young Reader Medal

Communities: Arizona Author


Scheduled events:
Middle Grade Carousel: Inviting Connection
Meet a bunch of authors in 60 minutes as they share their new books filled with invitations to adventure. Each author will be seated at a table to talk with a small group about their newest book. Every eight minutes the authors will rotate to a new table in our version of author speed-dating.

Education Room 211 (Kiva) (Seats 200)  View this venue on the Festival map
Sat, Mar 14, 4:00 pm - 4:55 pm
Children
Signing area: Signing Area - Children (following presentation)  View this venue on the Festival map

Panelists: Tracey Baptiste, Dusti Bowling, Karina Yan Glaser, Sara Goetter, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Julie Kagawa, Mari Mancusi, James Ponti, Natalie Riess, David A. Robertson
Moderators: Lauren Freedman, Holly Johnson
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Bookmans Entertainment Exchange, HarperCollins Children's Books
Facing Adversity through Courage & Connection
Adversity can take many forms in the lives of children as they face grief, violence, discrimination, plagues, financial ruin and physical challenges. Through courage and the power of connection, they are able to take action to face the unknown. Join four authors who thoughtfully consider children's responses when facing adversity.

Education Room 353 (Seats 92, Wheelchair accessible)  View this venue on the Festival map
Sun, Mar 15, 1:00 pm - 1:55 pm
Children
Signing area: Signing Area - Children (following presentation)  View this venue on the Festival map

Panelists: Dusti Bowling, Ernesto Cisneros, Karina Yan Glaser, Ruchira Gupta
Moderator: Mary L. Fahrenbruck
Sponsor: Session made possible courtesy of Helios Education Foundation

Books:
The Beat I Drum
Children
Union Square Kids
January 2025
ISBN 9781454957065
272 pages
Buy now

Holding on for Dear Life
Children
Bloomsbury USA
October 2025
ISBN 9781547616060
240 pages
Buy now