Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

by Dusti Bowling

Aven Green was born without arms - and by age 13 has learned how to do almost everything without them. Hiding out in the library, she meets Connor, a boy with Tourette’s syndrome. Together, they begin exploring the park, where they find themselves wrapped up in the mysterious disappearance of the owner - and the park's tarantula population. Aven's about to find out just what she's capable of... even without arms.

• ISBN13: 9781454923459
• Publish Date: 5 September 2017
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 20 January 2022
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Sterling Publishing Co Inc
• Imprint: Sterling
• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English

Reviews

[Sam@WLABB]

I really needed something to remind me how wonderful people can be, and this book really did the trick. For me, this book was about differences, and embracing them. It was about not buying into the limitations others put upon you. The heart of this book was Aven, a young woman, who was born without arms. Maybe she had no arms. Maybe she had no arms, but she had an abundance of spunk, character, and heart. She was a dynamo, and I adored her.

Aside from the amazingness that was Aven, I also loved the friendship that developed between Connor and Zion. Zion was often harassed, because he was overweight, but Aven recognized him for his imagination and kindness. Connor was not only bullied for his Tourette's, but also accused of faking it for attention. He became Aven's best friend, and her friendship was something that helped him gain back some of his self esteem. I thought it was wonderful the way Bowling educated us about TS too. At one point, Aven and Connor go to a TS support group meeting. There, they discuss the many different way TS can affect someone. Like every other issue touched upon in the book, it's done with humor, but also great care and sensitivity.

I was utterly charmed by this book, and I am positive my heart exploded.

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