I’m an author and social worker in Metro Detroit who writes for teens and adults. From novels to flash fiction to poetry, my award-winning writing explores resilience and the myriad ways we’re connected to each other and the natural world. Please hop around my site to learn more, and thank you for visiting!
Kristin’s Books
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The Art of Holding On and Letting Go
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The Art of Holding On and Letting Go
#1 Michigan Best Seller
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The Door Swings Open
Coming to a bookstore near you - Spring 2027
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Read a free short story!
Spontaneous Combustion (and more):
https://open.library.okstate.edu/justya/chapter/spontaneous-combustion-kristin-bartley-lenz/
Flirting with Danger:
What People are Saying
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“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
on The Art of Holding On and Letting Go
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"A hot pick for outdoorsy teens who like relatable characters, with a bit of romance, mystery, and a road trip."
- School Library Journal
on The Art of Holding On and Letting Go
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"This thoughtful novel rises above the label of “sports book” to a contemplative exploration of how we grieve and move forward."
- Booklist
on The Art of Holding On and Letting Go
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"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."
- VOYA
on The Art of Holding On and Letting Go
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"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
on The Art of Holding On and Letting Go
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"Readers, prepare to face your fears. Charlotte’s daring, desperate search for her friend is a dangerous journey through a gossamer-like setting where her own intuition is her most reliable guide. Kristin Bartley Lenz’s masterful crafting is on full display throughout this unforgettable and relevant mystery."
- Leslie Connor, National Book Award finalist for The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle
on The Door Swings Open
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If you want a book with a huge beating heart and vibrant characters, this is it. If you want a book filled with twisty intrigue, adrenaline-spiking action, and mystery that keeps you turning pages into the wee hours, this is that book too. And it manages all this with gorgeous, lyrical prose, no less.
- Jeff Zentner, award-winning author of The Serpent King
on The Door Swings Open
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One of her favorite books to use as a counselor is “The Art of Holding on and Letting Go,” by Kristin Bartley Lenz, about a competitive climber who experiences a tragedy on an Ecuadorian mountaintop. Books can also address forms of loss that aren’t related to death but can still trigger grief for children, including military deployment or parental incarceration.