Raised by mountaineering parents, she’s grown up roaming the world, making the natural landscape her playground and the writings of Annie Dillard and Henry David Thoreau her guides. But when tragedy interrupts an expedition on an Ecuadorian mountaintop, Cara’s nomadic life is abruptly upended. Sent to live with her grandparents in suburban Detroit, Cara begins a year of unexpected discovery—finding friendship, first love, humor, and moments of joy alongside grief. As she navigates what she may have lost, Cara learns that healing doesn’t require certainty, and that love, connection, and even home can take shape in surprising ways, with moments of sparkle along the way.

THE ART OF HOLDING ON AND LETTING GO is a lyrical, high-stakes coming-of-age novel about a teenage elite climber forced to confront the limits of control—on the rock, in competition, and in love—when the people she trusts most disappear. It blends the physical intensity of competitive sports with the emotional interiority of literary YA, offering readers a story about courage that isn’t just about strength, but about learning when to grip tighter—and when to release. Perfect for readers navigating ambition, fear, and the limits of control.

For readers who are drawn to the lyrical grief of THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE, the emotional honesty of LETTERS TO THE LOST, and the tender character-driven loss narratives of IF I STAY and THE FAULT IN OUR STARS.

THEMES

• Holding on vs. letting go
• Ambiguous loss
• Fear, uncertainty, and lack of control
• Competitive ambition and personal identity
• Parent–child relationships and separation
• Trust (in the body, in others, in the unknown)
• Risk, resilience, and emotional endurance
• Nature as both refuge and threat
• The internal cost of achievement

GENRES

• Literary YA Fiction
• Contemporary YA
• YA Sports Fiction/rock climbing
• YA Literary Fiction
• Coming-of-Age
• YA Grief and Loss
• YA Trauma

REVIEWS!

“This multi-dimensional story about fear, pain, relationships, and resiliency is easily relatable for adolescents. The plot and characters will help teens navigate the concept that loss and grief come in many forms, as do coping strategies and finding pathways to peace and joy. I highly recommend it.” –Ellen S. Bieber, MS of Ed., School Counselor, Somers Middle School, Somers, NY

“Cara is an appealing, engaging narrator. Surrounded by a well-rounded cast, Cara’s journey toward a peaceful, fulfilling life is almost perfectly depicted. A compelling, unusual coming-of-age story.” –Kirkus

“A hot pick for outdoorsy teens who like relatable characters, with a bit of romance, mystery, and a road trip” ​–School Library Journal

“Detroit is the last place (Cara) expects to heal, but her transformation is convincingly handled in this eloquent debut. The novel is rich in descriptions of the natural world that Cara loves, as this eloquent debut. The novel is rich in descriptions of the natural world that Cara loves, as this eloquent debut. The novel is rich in descriptions of the natural world that Cara loves, as well as intricate climbing sequences which describe so much more than the struggle to conquer a rock wall. A cast of complex secondary characters help Cara find her balance and her way back home. This thoughtful novel rises above the label of “sports book” to a contemplative exploration of how we grieve and move forward.” –Booklist

“The title eloquently captures not only the spirit of this book but also the very essence of adolescence. The teenage main character, Cara, examines this theme throughout and, with any luck, she will inspire readers to do the same. Although this tale is about one of the most risky and exhilarating sports of all, this book is rather quiet, gradual, and sweet. –VOYA

“Debut author Lenz offers a thoughtful meditation on life after loss with the story of 15-year-old Cara Jenkins, a competitive climber. Lenz effortlessly explains complicated climbing terminology and intermixes moments of levity with contemplative quotations from naturalists and mountain climbers.” –Publishers Weekly

“A powerful, enveloping story about grief, the deep layers bubbling beneath the surfaces of every individual, and the ways relationships help us through our toughest times.” –Kelly Jensen, Bookriot.com

“I loved this book. There’s plenty of humor, a hint of romance, and great rock climbing scenes that will have you riveted.” –Anne Rouyer, NYC Librarian

“Cara’s story is about finding yourself, your family and your center. Lenz encourages readers to think outside the pages, to find their own place in the world as Cara discovers hers.” –Meghan Dietsche Goel, BookPeople, Austin, TX​

“Cara is strong in body and mind. From the high-stakes beginning we know she’s a girl with the grit and focus to overcome anything that Life can throw at her. Life doesn’t hold back. Which is when we see that Cara’s greatest strength is her heart. This is a richly layered story, visceral and thoughtful in equal parts” –Tim Wynne-Jones, award-winning author of The Emperor of Any Place and Blink, and Caution

“Lenz has written a wonderful and powerfully unique story.” –Jessie Ann Foley, author of The Carnival at Bray, a Printz Honor Book

“From dangling over a vertical rock face in Ecuador to navigating the rocky emotional terrain of friendship and love at home, Cara’s journey totally captured my heart. Hold on tight to this book!” –Vicky Alvear Shecter, author of Cleopatra’s Moon, a Crystal Kite Award winner

“Cara’s resilience and strength are as granite hard as the walls she climbs. The Art of Holding On and Letting Go is a beautiful story of testing limits, and the bonds of friendship, family, and love. I was transported into the climbing world–one I’d never visited before, and I loved what a rich metaphor it was for Cara’s journey.” –Lara Zielin, author of The Implosion of Aggie Winchester and Waiting Sky

​There is a sleight at hand at work here. Kristin Lenz got me completely hooked into Cara’s struggle to find her place in the world. But somehow, by the home stretch of this book I found myself invested in, and rooting for–not only Cara–but her three new friends, her grandmother and her mom and dad…each of them with their own specific struggle, each with a personal mountain to climb. Not sure how Lenz got me so connected to so many lives, so many individual stories. But she did. This book is wonderful.” –Patrick Flores-Scott, author of American Road Trip and No Going Back, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

FEATURE: What This YA Novel Taught Me About Being An Adult Bustle, September 12, 2016 (Lots of pull quotes!)

ROUND UP FEATURE: Contemporary YA For The Adventurous Soul Bustle, November 3, 2016

“Lenz has crafted a beautiful story of grief and coming-of-age through the lens of competitive mountain climbing. I was inspired to find a local climbing gym after reading this book! However, my favorite aspect of the book is the use of Muir, Thoreau, and other nature writers sprinkled throughout. This would be a great way to introduce students to some of the great American nature writers.” –Sarah Gross on the Nerdy Book Club blog

Book Riot’s Hey YA podcast with Kelly Jensen and agent Eric Smith. The podcast concluded their last episode in fall 2025, but way back in 2018, they did an episode where they discussed “What YA books deserve the ‘To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before’ Netflix Treatment” The Art of Holding On and Letting Go was Kelly’s top pick.