Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

This book is a fast read because it is hard to put down. The main character, Aven, was born without arms. She was put up for adoption and a couple from Kansas fell in love with her at first sight and adopted her. Aven's parents raise her to do things by herself and figure out ways that she can do everything, even without arms.  Aven's mother nicknames her Sheba because she explains that every foster parent did everything for her before she was adopted...just like the Queen of Sheba. Aven becomes very capable, and has a hilarious sense of humor and enormous confidence. She is just a likable, positive and perky character. 

When Aven is in 8th grade, her father gets a job in Arizona working as a manger for a rundown western theme park.  The family moves and Aven finds that making friends is more difficult than she imagined. She grew up with her friends in Kansas and so she was not a curiosity in their eyes.  Because lunchtime is difficult, she avoids it but discovers a few other kids who also avoid the crowd for various reasons.  Aven takes them on as friends. She helps Conner who she meets in the library look for support for his Tourette's syndrome and she befriends an overweight boy who eats outside everyday.  She does this with plenty of humor and charm. 

Meanwhile there is a mystery to solve at the theme park and as Aven meets its quirky characters, she has some questions about who owns the park and just why her father was asked to manage a park that is practically bankrupt. The conclusion surprised me and I found the book to be an encouraging read. 

If you liked Wonder by Palacio, then this is what you should read next. The book is for readers from grades 5-8. The reading level is 4.6. I would recommend it as a read aloud and it would be a great Division 2 book for the Maud Hart Lovelace Award.  I rate it 5 out of 4. 

Print Length: 274 pages
Publisher: Sterling Children's Books (September 5, 2017)