If you like: humor, accurate portrayals of disabilities, Wonder, wild west theme parks.
In the style of the main character's Random Thoughts blog, here are 20 thoughts about middle-grade novel Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, by Dusti Bowling:
Thirteen-year-old Aven was born without any arms. She can do everything people with arms can do, and more.
“I knew from the first moment I told a girl my arms had burned off in a fire, I had found a great hobby: making up stories."
Her mom and dad uproot her from Kansas to live in Arkansas, where they manage and live in a crumbling Wild West theme park.
There’s an intriguing mystery waiting behind all the dust and rundown attractions.
“Why on earth would someone padlock the doors and put seven DO NOT ENTER signs on this building filled with nothing but junk? I had to get in there.”
Aven approaches everything with an infectious sense of humor.
Stagecoach Pass houses a llama named Spaghetti.
Aven befriends a boy named Connor who has Tourette’s Syndrome. The author has family members with tic disorders, and shows a positive portrayal of the disability.
There’s a fine line between laughing with someone, and laughing at them, and this book navigates it well.
Chicken nipple.
Aven is not defined by her disability. She plays soccer, loves to write music, and is kick-ass at math.
Á la Aven’s Mom: “There’s a big difference between saying you’re disabled and saying you’re incapable.”
As kick-butt as Aven is, I appreciate that this story gives her the time and space to be upset about the way people treat her because she doesn’t have arms. Aven is tough, but that doesn’t mean nothing bothers her.
There’s also a cool Saguaro cactus that’s more than 200 years old.
Rag-tag friendships are the best! Aven, Connor and Zion always show up for each other.
The give and take between Aven and her parents isn’t perfect, but it’s realistic, and even though Aven is adopted, it’s easy to see where she got her sense of humor and resilience from.
While Aven has a great support system, Connor doesn’t. A lot of his issues with having Tourette’s comes from not wanting to be another burden on his single mother. He hates the disability because it makes her worry, so he doesn’t ask for help even when he needs it the most.
But! This story is all about the way positive relationships are pivotal in handling any struggle. Reaching out, to give and receive, is what makes our seemingly insignificant lives (through the eyes of a Saguaro cactus) worth the time we have.
On a list of 20 supplies you need to survive middle school, Aven writes, “An open heart and eyes. You think you’re the only one out there who feels different? What about that kid sitting alone in the library or out on the sidewalk?”
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus is a great read. The book is aimed for kids ages 9-14, but honestly, everyone can use the little pick-me-up that Aven provides.
"Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling; Sterling Children's Books; Sept. 2017.
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