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STELLAR STORIES: Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

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Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus 
By Dusti Bowling
Sterling Children’s Books, 2017. 262 p.

Aven is thirteen when she moves from Kansas to Arizona. Her parents got a new job as the managers of Stagecoach Pass, a western theme park that is dying. She is happy that her parents have a new job, but she is sad to leave all her friends—especially since many of the kids at her new school watch her a lot due to the fact she doesn’t have any arms and does most things with her feet or the help of various tools. When she meets Connor, a boy with turrets, she learns that friendship is achievable in multiple states—especially when the two come together to help solve a mystery associated with Stagecoach Pass. This is a stellar story that explores Aven’s life and dreams and friendship (while also talking about how she copes with her disability).
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Hannah said…
I liked that this book had representation of two disabilities and the contrast between the two different ways to handle them. Aven refused to let her disability define her while Connor struggled in that aspect. Everyone addresses stress or trials in different ways and this read was a great illustration of the individualistic choice. The tone was surprisingly soothing for such a heavy topic book. I would definitely recommend it.
April 3, 2020 at 4:52 PM
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