But no one has talked to me like I'm an actual person." Summary: Aven Green loves to tell people that she lost her arms in an alligator wrestling match, or a wildfire in Tanzania, but the truth is she was born without them. She loves to make up crazy stories about what happened to her arms. October 30, 2019 By Vocabulary.com (NY) When her parents take jobs at a western theme park in Arizona, Aven gets caught up in a local mystery — and tries to adjust to a new school. As a person who was born without arms, I can relate and say that this book is 100 % accurate in depicting Aven's struggles going to school with a disability. But when her father gets a job as the manager of Stagecoach Pass, a rundown Western theme park out in Arizona, the family's move, right after Aven has started eighth grade, presents her toughest challenge yet. Not only does she firmly enlist him and another new friend in investigating a mystery about the theme park’s past but, taking Conner’s involuntary vocalizations in stride (literally) Aven drags him (figuratively) into an information-rich Tourette’s support group. . To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. Together they help each other in ways they never would have imagined. I loved the setting, the accurate information about Tourette syndrome (which I have myself), and the fun little mystery on the side. Aven and her friends have hilarious conversations (for example, when she and Connor meet: "'I would shake your hand, but....' He motioned toward my armless area, blinking his eyes rapidly and barking as he did so. - Sally J. Pla, author of The Someday Birds, @2023 by Charlotte McCoy. But the most fascinating thing is the unusual mystery at the heart of Stagecoach Pass: the disappearing tarantulas, a missing photograph, and a secret necklace. Chapter 8. Age Range: 8 – 12 years. Average Customer Ratings. Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus is such a great novel for kids. 0.0 (0) 3437 1. But she bonds with Connor, a classmate with his own disability to conquer. However, her unflinchingly optimistic spirit, accompanied by her infectious and indomitable sense of humor, keeps her looking for the silver linings in her new life in Arizona, such as making friends with the cute but prickly Connor (who has Tourette's syndrome) or enjoying the ability to wear flats all year-round. Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus book. An excellent choice for middle grade collections and classrooms. She was reading it for a book club. Insignificant Events in t... significant Please try your request again later. She loves to tell people that she lost her arms in an alligator wrestling match, or a wildfire in Tanzania, but the truth is she was born without them. Though Aven was born without arms, she has never let her ‘lack of armage,’ as she calls it, deter her from doing anything she sets her mind to. . Aven and her friends have hilarious conversations (for example, when she and Connor meet: "'I would shake your hand, but....' He motioned toward my armless area, blinking his eyes rapidly and barking as he did so. - S, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus is so amazingly brilliant, I wish I could hand it out to every limb different kid I come across. In Oregon there is a program called OBOB, Oregon battle of the books. Adopted as a two-year-old, her parents taught her to be a "problem-solving ninja" so that she could do everything people with arms can do. - Shelf Awareness (starred review), Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus is a heartwarming, entertaining, and inspirational story, perfect for fans of Wonder, by R.J. Palacio, who will cheer for Aven, and for Connor as well. The tale of Stagecoach Pass is just as compelling as the story of Aven, and the setting, like the many colorful characters who people this novel, is so vivid and quirky that it’s practically cinematic. I loved the setting, the accurate information about Tourette syndrome (which I have myself), and the fun little mystery on the side. At home in Kansas, Aven is sociable, athletic (soccer is her game) and a prankster. When her father accepts an offer to run Stagecoach Pass, a western-themed amusement park in Arizona, she's not thrilled at the idea of having to make new friends. Her books are Junior Library Guild Selections and have been named best books of the year by the Chicago Public Library, Kirkus, Bank Street College of Education, A Mighty Girl, Shelf Awareness, and many more. Read 2,349 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. -, INSIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF A CACTUS is a remarkable, original story with true heart, a fresh voice, and an absolutely unforgettable hero. Dusti Bowling reads from INSIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF A CACTUS! I would recommend this book to anyone of all ages, whether they have a disability or not. Aven is determined to get to the bottom of the secret. And when her parents take a job running Stagecoach Pass, a rundown western theme park in Arizona, Aven moves with them across the country knowing that she’ll have to answer the question over and over again. VERDICT Charming and memorable. It's a book sure to give any reader goosebumps, teary eyes, and out-loud laughs. And when her parents take a job running Stagecoach Pass, a rundown western theme park in Arizona, Aven … . Chapter 11 Part 1. . "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling, Chapters 1–6. Aven was adopted by a wonderful family when she was two years old. —Booklist (starred review)★"Dusti Bowling's story of a regular, hugely likable kid who deals with her unusual challenges with grace and humor is pitch-perfect.” —Shelf Awareness (starred review)“Connor's Tourette's support-group meetings and Aven's witty, increasingly honest discussions of the pros and cons of "lack of armage" give the book excellent educational potential. For one thing, Aven was born without arms, so the new environment—a decrepit Wild West theme park—poses special challenges. INSIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF A CACTUS. For another, thanks to loving, funny adoptive parents who have raised her to be a “problem-solving ninja” (“I’m so flexible, it would blow your mind,” she boasts), readers may repeatedly forget, despite reminders enough, that Aven is (as she puts it) “unarmed.” Moreover, when the dreary prospect of having to cope with the looks and questions at her new middle school sends her in search of an isolated place to eat her lunch she finds and bonds with Conner, who is struggling with Tourette's syndrome and has not been so lucky with his parents. How she deals with them, helps her parents turn a decrepit theme park around, solve a mystery and make new friends makes for a very satisfying read. There's a problem loading this menu right now. I love that! It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. -, A move to dusty, distant Arizona forces 13-year-old Aven to leave her familiar life and friends behind. Dusti currently lives in New River, Arizona with her husband, three daughters, a dozen tarantulas, a gopher snake named Burrito, a king snake name Death Noodle, and a cockatiel named Gandalf the Grey. Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus Insignificant Events In The Life Of A Cactus • By Jessica Friday • May 12. I am grateful for having been given the opportunity to read it. . It's a book that doesn't just open your eyes, it opens your heart. Sitting under her favorite centuries-old saguaro cactus, Aven realizes that she may be "an entirely insignificant event in the life of this cactus," but her life does matter, in all its painful, sweet, awkward glory. Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2017. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Don’t yawn: Bowling takes this overworked trope and spins it into gold with a skein of terrific twists. 50 life events you could explore in your own memoir. Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus book. But the story is lovely and clips right along. demonstrates how negotiating others’ discomfort can be one of the most challenging aspects of having a physical difference and how friendship can mitigate that discomfort. Aven, born without arms and adopted at age two, is gutsy, likable and very human. Bedtime Inspirational Stories: 50 Amazing Black People Who Changed the World (Volum... Gr 5–8—Aven Green has always loved her life in Kansas—hanging out with Emily and Kayla, her best friends since kindergarten; planning pranks; and playing on the school soccer team. Chapter 9. has been added to your Cart. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. She is a normal kid in every way...except one. Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus (Volume 1) As you read, invite students to add drawings and short summaries to the timeline. - ALA Booklist (starred review), ★ Aven Green's missing arms have never been an issue for her or her family. Quirky, warm, humorous, self-aware, Aven is a girl who's got it all together, and I was in love with her by the end of the first page. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, © 1996-2020, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. ★“Aven Green has always loved her life in Kansas—hanging out with Emily and Kayla, her best friends since kindergarten; planning pranks; and playing on the school soccer team. Aven is determined to get to the bottom of the secret. If you haven’t read this book already with your students, I highly recommend it! VERDICT Charming and memorable. This beautiful, delightful story, shows the special bond of a spunky girl, and her loving dad. Please try again. A great book I hope everyone reads. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. . Start studying Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus. - Kirkus Reviews, Bowling’s sensitive and funny novel . She's learned to do most of the things any kid would do by using her feet. But Aven’s about to discover she can do it all . Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free. insignificant events in the life of a cactus volume 1. It's a book sure to give any reader goosebumps, teary eyes, and out-loud laughs. Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus Author: Dusti Bowling Published September 5th, 2017 by Sterling Children’s Books. Sure enough, her new middle school is a challenge. She is a perky, hilarious, and inspiring protagonist whose attitude and humor will linger even after the last page has turned. When her father accepts an offer to run Stagecoach Pass, a western-themed amusement park in Arizona, she's not thrilled at the idea of having to make new friends. Aven Green's missing arms have never been an issue for her or her family. Not only does she firmly enlist him and another new friend in investigating a mystery about the theme park’s past but, taking Conner’s involuntary vocalizations in stride (literally) Aven drags him (figuratively) into an information-rich Tourette’s support group. INSIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF A CACTUS. I loved her voice! Grab your copy of Jerry the Squirrel today! Ages 08-10 (Middle Readers) Ages 11-13 (Older Readers) Reader Personality Type. "They just act weird around me," Aven says, "like they don't know whether to look or not, to ask about it or not. Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus. A great book I hope everyone reads. . She confronts head-on the issues one has to contend with, when one is born with no arms. Even so, moving from Kansas, where everyone is used to her lack of arms, to Arizona where her dad got a new job, creates a new set of fears and anxieties. ... Each chapter is only around six pages long so it’s very easy to read in short bursts which can be attractive to young readers. --School Library Journal (Starred review) Aven Green loves to tell people that she lost her arms in an alligator wrestling match, or a wildfire in Tanzania, but the truth is … Having to deal with the many stares and questions of new schoolmates, Aven sorely misses her old life back in Kansas. When she meets Connor, a boy with Tourette syndrome, the two immediately bond over the way people behave around them. It’s hard to solve a mystery, help a friend, and face your worst fears. Editorial Reviews. The main character Aven has such a fun voice. -, I absolutely enjoyed every word of this middle grade novel. Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus (Volume 2), Bubbles (Adventures of Bubbles the Frog) (Volume 1). Aven Green gets that question a lot. one for each chapter in Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus. . But Aven’s about to do all three…even without arms! Please try again. Author Dusti Bowling’s lovely forthcoming middle grade novel, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, tells the story of Aven Green, a young girl who was born without arms. I have a nephew with limb differences and we LOVED the book "Wonder" but this book is even better! . She was born without arms. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading. But no one has talked to me like I'm an actual person." Chapter 36. Stop reading the reviews and pick up this gem. Following poignant revelations about Aven’s birth family, the author lets warm but not gooey sentiment wash over the close to a tale that is not about having differences, but accepting them in oneself and others." Chapter 23. . You'll meet Aven, a girl with a disability, who defies the odds to find out more about a secret in her life. It's a shorter read, great for 4th-8th grade audience. I wish I could be her friend in real life. —Dan Gemeinhart, author of The Honest Truth. Proudly created with, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus. - School Library Journal (starred review), ★ A move to dusty, distant Arizona forces 13-year-old Aven to leave her familiar life and friends behind. . Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. One of my students recommended this book. I related to almost everything that Aven experienced, and it brought back many memories of my own childhood. Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2017. See the world through the eyes of an ABLE-bodies person, Aven (the main unarmed character) strives to show what she can do, not what she can't do or what she is lacking. My niece (11) loved this book when I got it for her at Christmas. VERDICT Charming and memorable. She is a perky, hilarious, and inspiring protagonist whose attitude and humor will linger even after the last page has turned. . The main character Aven has such a fun voice. Laugh out loud inventions and crazy Squirrel antics! . its portrayal of characters with rarely depicted disabilities is informative, funny, and supportive. Award Winning Inspirational Drama Age 8-14. This quiz is incomplete! Sir Princess Petra's Talent: Book 2 in the International Award-Winning Children's F... Delectable Vegetables (The Real Life Adventures of Jo Jo Bean), Jerry the Squirrel: Volume One (Arestana Series). Write Review Add to favorites. 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