PRAISE FOR DUSTI BOWLING’S
INSIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF A CACTUS

“[AVEN] IS A PERKY, hilarious, and inspiring protagonist whose attitude and humor will linger even after the last page has turned. The tale of Stagecoach Pass is just as compelling as the story of Aven, and the setting, like the many colorful characters who people this novel, is so vivid and quirky that it’s practically cinematic. VERDICT Charming and memorable. An excellent choice for middle grade collections and classrooms.”

—School Library Journal (starred review)

“A MOVE TO DUSTY, distant Arizona forces 13-year-old Aven to leave her familiar life and friends behind. Don’t yawn: Bowling takes this overworked trope and spins it into gold with a skein of terrific twists . . . the author lets warm but not gooey sentiment wash over the close to a tale that is not about having differences, but accepting them in oneself and others.”

—Booklist (starred review)

“DUSTI BOWLING’S STORY of a regular, hugely likable kid who deals with her unusual challenges with grace and humor is pitch-perfect.”

—Shelf Awareness (starred review)

“A REMARKABLE, original story with true heart, a fresh voice, and an absolutely unforgettable hero. It’s a book sure to give any reader goosebumps, teary eyes, and out-loud laughs. It’s a book that doesn’t just open your eyes, it opens your heart.”

—Dan Gemeinhart, author of The Honest Truth

“CONNOR’S TOURETTE’S SUPPORT-GROUP meetings and Aven’s witty, increasingly honest discussions of the pros and cons of “lack of armage” give the book excellent educational potential. . . . its portrayal of characters with rarely depicted disabilities is informative, funny, and supportive.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“BOWLING’S SENSITIVE and funny novel . . . demonstrates how negotiating others’ discomfort can be one of the most challenging aspects of having a physical difference and how friendship can mitigate that discomfort. . . . [an] openhearted, empathic book.

—Publishers Weekly