There is a whole world of middle grade books out there with differently-abled characters. Click here for a list of some great ones. My kids love this genre of writing so, when we were in the bookstore, I directed them towards Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling. (Click on the affiliate link to purchase)
Aven Green is a thirteen-year-old eighth grader who was born with no arms. Even though she is “unarmed,” as she calls herself, that hasn’t stopped her from doing anything she sets her mind to. But her life is turned upside down when her adoptive parents move her from Kansas, and the school she grew up in, to Arizona to run the Stagecoach Pass, a rundown amusement park. In Kansas, she was accepted and had a supportive group of friends. At her new school in Arizona, she is embarrassed when the teachers try to help her and when she has to eat with her feet in front of everyone.
When Aven escapes to the library at lunchtime she meets Connor who has his own struggles with Tourettes. Through their friendship they find a locked room at the Stagecoach Pass where they discover a secret to Aven’s past. Aven’s strong sense of humor and story telling ability – she likes to make up gruesome stories about how she lost her arms – make her a charming main character and a welcomed friend.
The relationships between the characters are the best part of this book. Aven’s parents are unfazed and supportive. They never let her think there is anything she can’t do and they find humor in Aven’s story-telling. Her friendship with Connor – who wasn’t as lucky in the parent department – is everything a best friendship should be. They are supportive, go out of their way to do nice things for each other even if it is hard for them, and push each other to live life to the fullest. And when they fight and say mean things to each other they know how to forgive and be forgiven.
Overall this is a wonderful book. If the ending is a little sentimental and wrapped up a little too neatly you won’t see me complaining because I’m too busy cheering for Aven and Connor.
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