Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

Aven Green has gone to school with the same kids her whole life. It’s been a long time since she’s had to answer people’s questions about her lack of arms. Back when she started kindergarten she had to answer all kinds of crazy questions from other kids about not having arms. She got tired of answering questions, and started making up wild tales. The other kids loved her sense of humor and great imagination. Plus, Aven is a star on the soccer field, even if she thinks not having arms actually gives her an advantage. But, when her parents tell her they are going to be running an old rundown western village called Stagecoach Pass in Arizona, Aven is concerned. She will be moving across the country and going to middle school with all new kids. She knows there will be lots of questions.  Starting her new school brings a lot of changes. For the first time, Aven is afraid to eat in front of other kids, who she knows will watch her to see how she does it. Hiding out in the library leads her to meet Connor, a boy with Toruette’s who barks frequently and feels uncomfortable in front of others. Connor and Aven have an instant connection. He’s impressed with Aven’s attitude and can’t resist her smart and sassy sense of humor. When her days are tough she visits a tall cactus on a hill near her house and thinks about how the cactus doesn’t care about the events in her life, and this helps her feel better. One day she finds a necklace buried in the sand and it turns out there are other secrets hidden at Stagecoach Pass and Aven and her family are in for some big surprises. Will her family be able to make Stagecoach Pass a success? Will Connor and Aven get the courage they need to face their fears? Will Aven ever feel like she fits in at her new school? Are there any more friends in store for Aven? You will have to read this amazing story to find out.  

I've had The Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusty Bowling on my TBR list for a while. I don’t remember exactly where I heard about it, but I am so glad I did! What a book! I really enjoyed Aven and her go-getter attitude. She really brings out the best in other people. Her parents were amazing, and I loved hearing the story of her adoption and how they felt about raising her to be so independent. The friendships in the story were awesome and very believable. I really learned a lot about Tourette’s, Arizona, and what it would be like owning a tourist attraction. The portrayal of middle school is so realistic. It’s definitely not an easy time in most people’s lives, and Aven had more challenges with her move and needing to get to know all new kids. I highly recommend this book to anyone in fifth grade and up (Aven is in middle school). This was one of my favorite books of 2020, and Aven is a character that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. I found out there is a sequel about Aven in high school, and I look forward to being able to read that book when it comes in at my local library.

Has anyone else read The Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus? Or have you read another book by Dusty Bowling? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!

~ L

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