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“Aven is a perky, hilarious, and inspiring protagonist whose attitude and humor will linger even after the last page has turned.” —School Library Journal (Starred review)
The paperback edition of the bestselling middle grade novel about a spunky girl born without arms and a boy with Tourette syndrome navigating the challenges of middle school, disability, and friendship—all while solving a mystery in a western theme park.
Aven Green 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.
Her new life takes an unexpected turn when she bonds with Connor, a classmate who also feels isolated because of his own disability, and they discover a room at Stagecoach Pass that holds bigger secrets than Aven ever could have imagined. It’s hard to solve a mystery, help a friend, and face your worst fears. But Aven’s about to discover she can do it all . . . even without arms.
Autumn 2017 Kids’ Indie Next Pick
Junior Library Guild Selection
Library of Congress’s 52 Great Reads List 2018
From the Publisher
Praise for Dusti Bowling’s award-winning middle grade series
“Aven [Green] is a perky, hilarious, and inspiring protagonist whose attitude and humor will linger even after the last page has turned.”
—School Library Journal (Starred review)
“Those preparing to ‘slay the sucktastic beast known as high school’ will particularly appreciate this spirited read.”
—Kirkus (Starred review)
“Reminiscent of Louis Sachar’s Holes with its quirky characters and unique desert setting, this is a middle-grade read that will easily transport readers somewhere special.”
—School Library Journal (Starred review)
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Customer Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars 3,608
4.8 out of 5 stars 1,244
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Volume
Book 1 Book 2 Book 3
Summary
The bestselling middle grade novel about a spunky girl born without arms and a boy with Tourette syndrome navigating the challenges of middle school, disability, and friendship—all while solving a mystery in a western theme park. 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. Coming in April 2025! Connor, beloved best friend of Aven Green from Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, tells his own story in this poignant and heartwarming tale about overcoming the challenges of life with Tourette’s.
Publication Date
March 5, 2019 May 4, 2021 April 1, 2025
Union Square Kids
Union Square Kids publishes fiction and nonfiction titles that engage, enrich, and excite a diverse audience of young readers. Our list includes picture books, early readers, chapter books, graphic novels, middle grade and young adult novels, as well as classics, reference, novelty and activity books.
Union Square Kids is an imprint of Union Square & Co., the independent publisher making beautifully produced books with a point of view.
Meet Dusti Bowling!
Dusti Bowling is the award-winning, bestselling author of The Life of a Cactus series, the Aven Green chapter book series, and other middle grade novels.
Dusti’s books have won multiple awards and been nominated for over fifty more. Her books have been named best books of the year by the Chicago Public Library, Kirkus, Bank Street College of Education, A Mighty Girl, Shelf Awareness, and many more.
Dusti lives in Eagar, Arizona with her husband, three daughters, and a bunch of farm animals.
Publisher : Union Square Kids; Reprint edition (March 5, 2019)
Language : English
Paperback : 288 pages
ISBN-10 : 1454932996
ISBN-13 : 978-1454932994
Reading age : 9 – 12 years, from customers
Lexile measure : 700L
Grade level : 3 – 7
Item Weight : 8 ounces
Dimensions : 5.1 x 0.9 x 7.5 inches
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