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mette123's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
legereoporto's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The 5-star reads are rated as such once they’re loved and added to our home library. The Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus is one of those books. I cannot recommend it enough as a family read-aloud. It opens up raw topics of fitting in and disability and our society’s general avoidance of disability as something that makes us feel uncomfortable. Bowling handled this topic with light-hearted humor and grace, opening our eyes to the struggles of those who are different from whatever we deem the “norm” to be, teaching us that our assumptions could be wrong.
As a side note, if you’re constantly fighting your child to step away from The Diary of a Wimpy Kid to a more wholesome literature, I think Bowling offers a great alternative with deeper subject matter, more respectful attitude, but still lots of good-natured laughs.
As a side note, if you’re constantly fighting your child to step away from The Diary of a Wimpy Kid to a more wholesome literature, I think Bowling offers a great alternative with deeper subject matter, more respectful attitude, but still lots of good-natured laughs.
lraereads's review against another edition
3.0
This book was fun and didn’t take itself too seriously. I loved the optimism of Aven, but I especially loved how Dusti Bowling wrote her to be complex: while strong, Aven still struggles. The friendship with friends and parents was refreshing in its complexity but the characters didn’t allow miscommunication to bog down or ruin their relationships. And YAY for parents and kids getting along jn a YA for once !
aricaz's review against another edition
4.0
I great little story about disability, friendship, and a little mystery solving. I enjoyed the listen!
spring_lilac's review against another edition
4.0
Aven was born without arms and has spent her life successfully figuring out how to do things and be as normal as possible. When her parents tell her about their upcoming job change (and move), running a theme park, she isn't looking forward to it because it will bring new looks and questions from classmates and the community. At school she meets two students who also feel like outcasts and the three become good friends. While exploring the theme park one day, Aven and her friends find clues about the owner that lead them to more questions.
I love Aven's personality and no-nonsense attitude, thanks to the way her parents raised her. This was a quick read for me because I was intrigued by Aven, her friends (and the lengths she goes for them), and the mystery of the theme park. A must read for middle graders through middle school.
I love Aven's personality and no-nonsense attitude, thanks to the way her parents raised her. This was a quick read for me because I was intrigued by Aven, her friends (and the lengths she goes for them), and the mystery of the theme park. A must read for middle graders through middle school.
mrchance's review against another edition
1.0
Cutesy and safe, this isn't the type of book for me. Would be a good read for fans of nigh-unrealistically kindhearted books, like Wonder.
tigerreads's review against another edition
4.0
This book was really funny, I enjoyed it a lot. It portrayed a very accurate and respectful description of Tourette's Syndrome as well as the struggles of it.
whatkarireads's review against another edition
4.0
My 9-yr old daughter picked this based on the cover alone. Even the inside cover is gorgeous. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This was a case where the cover was indicative of the inside. It was a fabulous, heartfelt MG read about diversity, inclusion, friendship and acceptance. It was just lovely! My daughter is reading it now and I can’t wait to discuss it with her.
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If you have young readers I recommend checking this one out.
This was a case where the cover was indicative of the inside. It was a fabulous, heartfelt MG read about diversity, inclusion, friendship and acceptance. It was just lovely! My daughter is reading it now and I can’t wait to discuss it with her.
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If you have young readers I recommend checking this one out.
finpfannens's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This book was a sweet middle grade novel with disabled protagonists. Unfortunately, it did lean into the idea of an inspirational protagonist who overcomes her disability more than I would have liked. Still a good book with multiple interesting characters who have a personality beyond their disability or other “othering” characteristics!