Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus Kindle Edition

I finished this book but wanted to wait a few days before writing a review....As someone who is adopted, this book enraged me. It is clear that the author (who happens to have a degree in psychology) didn't do her research on the psychology of adoption.Aven knows she is adopted, but doesn't have any drive or motivation find her bio parents. When her father gets a new job, they move from Kansas to Arizona, where things get "interesting". There are two characters who provide very obvious clues along the way that they know who Aven is, and the book is wrapped up in a neat and tidy bow as Aven learns the cook is actually her bio grandmother.First, the odds that a bio grandmom would convince a family to pack up and move halfway across the country so she could "observe" them are little to none. Second, the fact that Aven would uncover her bio grandmom's truth, struggle with it for 4 pages, and then decide all is well in the world does absolutely no justice to the pain that adopted kids feel as they grapple with either knowing or not knowing who their bio relatives are.Perhaps the most offensive part to this book came on page 109 and 110. Aven's mom tells the story of Aven's adoption Conner and describes her search as "scrolling through" a web tab with kids who needed to be adopted and then "birthing Aven from the computer" when she found her.Are you kidding me? One, adoption is NOT an Amazon search for the latest and greatest item. Second, if Aven's mom is a psychologist, she would never describe the process in such horrific terms. Third, to people out there trying to adopt children--the process is absolutely nothing like it is described. Adopting a child takes months and months of work. Simplifying this adoption to a mere "click and buy" is mind blowing.I am unbelievably disappointed by a book like this that is for some reason receiving rave reviews. For anyone out there reading this book, find someone that is adopted and learn their story.....it'll give you far more insight to the adoption world than this book ever will.

What a pleasant surprise! I bought this to give to our daughter for her 4th grade classroom library, but wanted to read it first. Aven, born without arms and adopted at age two, is gutsy, likable and very human. She's learned to do most of the things any kid would do by using her feet. Even so, moving from Kansas, where everyone is used to her lack of arms, to Arizona where her dad got a new job, creates a new set of fears and anxieties. How she deals with them, helps her parents turn a decrepit theme park around, solve a mystery and make new friends makes for a very satisfying read. It's going to be a great addition to my daughter's classroom library and deserves a place in many, many others.

I have a nephew with limb differences and we LOVED the book "Wonder" but this book is even better! It's a shorter read, great for 4th-8th grade audience. A must have for every family library. See the world through the eyes of an ABLE-bodies person, Aven (the main unarmed character) strives to show what she can do, not what she can't do or what she is lacking. And she helps a new friend with Tourette's syndrome change his outlook too. A great book about two differences/needs that not many people know about or books written about.

Aven was adopted by a wonderful family when she was two years old. She is a normal kid in every way...except one. She was born without arms. After moving to Arizona for her fathers job opportunity, Aven befriends a boy with Tourette's in her new middle school. Together they help each other in ways they never would have imagined.I feel in love with Aven's personality right away. I wish I could be like Aven. She is an inspiring character any parent would want their child to look up to. A must have for your home, classroom, or school library. Recommended for grades four and up.

In Oregon there is a program called OBOB, Oregon battle of the books. A statewide voluntary reading program, that at its core, is about putting books in the hands of kids. But this one isn’t just for kids.Aven and her family move to a hot desert town to run a run down amusement park. As she settles into her new life, she discovers things about her family and makes new friends that don’t care about Aven’s appearance or last.

Are you looking for a book like WONDER and Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper? Dusty Bowling's debut will satisfy your need. I am disappointed that RJ Palacio hasn't written anything new, but I am delighted I found this authentic book for middle school readers. The other reviewers give synopsis and insightful thoughts about this book. Stop reading the reviews and pick up this gem. I will follow Dusti Bowling and can't wait to see what she writes next!

My daughter has loved reading this book! Great for 12 year old girls!

When I read the description of this book I was a little put off by the unusual setup: a child with no arms, a deserted amusement park. But the story is lovely and clips right along. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it for ages 10 and up.

My niece (11) loved this book when I got it for her at Christmas. I bought her the second book for her birthday and she was so excited to read it! The author does a great job and she wants to read all her books!

One of my students recommended this book. She was reading it for a book club. It was a fabulous read.