Here's an odd book title: Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus. The book itself is quite unique, as well. It was fun and poignant at the same time, and the author successfully framed many serious concepts with her humor: an armless girl, a boy with Tourette's Syndrome, an overweight friend, as well as adoption.
The main character's self-deprecating humor is a refreshing change to many of other characters who would rather feel sorry for themselves. Yet, the humor is also real: deep down she still gets a little depressed. I can't say I have ever read a book about a character with no arms, but it was interesting to me to see how the author dealt with the restrictions in her book.
The main character's self-deprecating humor is a refreshing change to many of other characters who would rather feel sorry for themselves. Yet, the humor is also real: deep down she still gets a little depressed. I can't say I have ever read a book about a character with no arms, but it was interesting to me to see how the author dealt with the restrictions in her book.
 | From the author's website: Aven Green gets that question a lot. She loves to tell people that she lost her arms in an alligator wrestling match, or a wildfire in Tanzania, but the truth is she was born without them. And when her parents take a job running Stagecoach Pass, a rundown western theme park in Arizona, Aven moves with them across the country knowing that she’ll have to answer the question over and over again. |
Many books for this age level have families who move to new places, and this one is no different. Here, however, the move has more purpose in the move. Instead of just accepting that the move was necessary, author Dusti Bowling makes it an integral part of the story. There is a questionable reference in one scene that wasn't necessary, but otherwise this story is a great addition to this year's Mark Twain Award nominees.
