Sep 01, 2023JerryJennings rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling (2017) is a well written middle school fictional novel that earned starred reviews from the School Library Journal and the ALA Booklist. Bowling created believable and likeable…
Aug 25, 2023HPL_Kohella rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Born without arms but gifted with a great attitude, 14 year-old Aven, along with her new friend, Connor, who has Tourettes Syndrome, humorously acclimate to their new middle school environment while helping her family with their newly…
"I expected this book to be about how Aven learns to accept being born without arms, but it's about friendship and it's funny, and was thoroughly enjoyable." - Karen M.
Apr 22, 2023TheRadMad rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
An exceptional book about a young, determined, teen discovering she can do just as much as everyone else, despite the fact that she has no arms. A powerful, inspiration story about overcoming fears, bullying, and feeling alone. A must read…
Aug 25, 2021ChristineAssas rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
My 10 year old grand daughter had read this book and loved it, so she wanted to share it with me. She reads aloud with me almost everyday and chose that book, when we finished reading "The Hope Chest" another book she chose and enjoyed.
I…
Apr 14, 2021Watermelody rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A fun read with a positive message. Aven loves to come up with more and more elaborate stories about how she lost her arms. But her story is much more ordinary with that. However, when her family decides to move to Arizona to manage an…
Oct 13, 2020bezoarbezoarbezoar rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I can see why people may have enjoyed this book. Aven's voice is joyful and it's easy to admire the way she faces adversity. But the whole time I was reading this book I couldn't shake the feeling that it was just a delivery system for…
May 26, 2020OPL_KIDS rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Thirteen-year-old Aven Green was born without arms, but that has never stopped her from doing almost anything she sets her mind to. But when her family moves from their longtime home in Kansas to go manage Stagecoach Pass, a rundown…
Mar 18, 2020IndyPL_JessicaNS rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A wonderfully uplifting book about being "a light who shines for all to see." It's a great reminder that our differences don't limit our possibilities and is perfect for all kids ages 10-14, especially those that like mysteries.
Oct 14, 2019The_Zookeeper rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This was a super fun book. I really enjoyed Aven's story as she tries to get through being the new kid at school and help her parents run a theme park, all while she doesn't have arms. This was a great book to listen to as well.
Sep 10, 2019caleherreman rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This book is a fun read about an eighth grader starting at a new school after moving to Arizona. Her name is Aven, she's really funny, has red hair, plays soccer, and was born without arms. You'll enjoy seeing life through her eyes as she…
Aug 09, 2019meganschwindler rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This is a perfect book for young readers! The themes it presents are real and important, and the protagonist, Aven, is full of humor and determination. Above all, this books shows reader that nothing is really impossible.
I think this book is very inspirational. It talks about how Aven struggles to do stuff, but then after a while, he finds a way to do it. I think this book is good for anyone.
Jan 24, 2019darladoodles rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Aven Green lives her life without arms more authentically than many kids with all of their limbs. Her story is inspiring and informative as she befriends a boy with Tourette's and another with a weight problem. They run into each other…
Apr 03, 2018white_lion_353 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Such a great book !It is about a girl named Aven that has to move because her mom and dad got a new job. She has to move from all l of her friends what will happen when she moves ?
Dec 14, 2017JessicaGma rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I had to read this based on the title alone, and it's a great book. Aven was born without arms and has moved to a western theme park with her adopted parents. So she has to make friends at her new school, where the kids don't quite…
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Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus