Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus (Life of a Cactus #2)

by Dusti Bowling (Author)

Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus (Life of a Cactus #2)
Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade

"High School. Two words that struck fear into the heart of every armless middle schooler I knew. Which was me. And like two people online."

The sequel to the critically acclaimed Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus follows Aven Green as she confronts yet another challenge: high school.

"Those preparing to 'slay the sucktastic beast known as high school' will particularly appreciate this spirited read." --Kirkus (Starred review)

Just as Aven starts to feel comfortable in Stagecoach Pass, with her friends and schoolmates accustomed to her lack of "armage," everything changes once again. She's about to begin high school . . . with 3,000 new kids to stare at her. And no matter how much Aven tries to play it cool, nothing prepares her for the reality. In a year filled with confusion, humiliation, and just maybe love, can Aven manage to stay true to herself?

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Review quotes

"In the sequel to Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus (2017), Aven Green confronts her biggest challenge yet: surviving high school without arms. Fourteen-year-old Aven has just settled into life at Stagecoach Pass with her adoptive parents when everything changes again. She's entering high school, which means that 2,300 new kids will stare at her missing arms—and her feet, which do almost everything hands can (except, alas, air quotes). Aven resolves to be 'blasé' and field her classmates' pranks with aplomb, but a humiliating betrayal shakes her self-confidence. Even her friendships feel unsteady. Her friend Connor's moved away and made a new friend who, like him, has Tourette's syndrome: a girl. And is Lando, her friend Zion's popular older brother, being sweet to Aven out of pity—or something more? Bowling keenly depicts the universal awkwardness of adolescence and the particular self-consciousness of navigating a disability. Aven's 'armless-girl problems' realistically grow thornier in this outing, touching on such tough topics as death and aging, but warm, quirky secondary characters lend support. . . . Aven's honest, witty voice shines—whether out-of-reach vending-machine snacks are 'taunting' her or she's nursing heartaches. A subplot exploring Aven's curiosity about her biological father resolves with a touching twist. . . . Those preparing to 'slay the sucktastic beast known as high school' will particularly appreciate this spirited read." —Kirkus (Starred review)

"High school gets off to a rocky start for armless-but-by-no-means-helpless Aven, as supposed romantic overtures from cool new classmate Joshua turn out to be a Truth or Dare from his buddies. The sturdy self-confidence and deep-seated belief in the essential decency of others that served Aven so well in Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus (2017) are left in such rags that she skips school, tries to drive away her friends Zion and Connor, loses interest in her riding lessons, and steadfastly refuses to see signs of genuine attraction from Zion's brother Lando. Ultimately time and events, highlighted by a hard but incentive fall from her horse and a trip to Comic-Con—not to mention support from a diverse and multigenerational adult supporting cast—lead Aven past what she dubs the 'Great Humiliation' to leave her both literally and figuratively back in the saddle. . . . readers will welcome back this most able of protagonists." —Booklist
Dusti Bowling
Dusti Bowling grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, where, as her family will tell you, she always had her nose in a book. Dusti holds a bachelor of psychology and a master of education, but she eventually realized that her true passion was writing. She lives in Arizona, with her husband, three daughters, one bobcat, a pack of coyotes, a couple of chuckwallas, several rattlesnakes, and a few herds of javelina. Dusti can be found on Twitter (@Dusti_Bowling) and Instagram (@dustibowling).

Gina Perry graduated from Syracuse University, worked as a compositor in animation, then an art director for a stationery manufacturer, before discovering her true passion--writing and illustrating children's books. She lives with her family in New Hampshire.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781454943358
Lexile Measure
550
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Union Square Kids
Publication date
May 04, 2021
Series
Life of a Cactus
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV035000 - Juvenile Fiction | School & Education
JUV039140 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
JUV039150 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Special Needs
JUV013010 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Adoption
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Self-confidence
Schools
JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Friendship
JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Special Ne
High schools
People with disabilities
JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Adoption

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