Scan barcode
Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, Volume 1 by Dusti Bowling
8 reviews
dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is my first time reading a book from Dusti Bowling, and I definitely think it won’t be the last time I read her work.
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus does an excellent job of conveying life as a disabled person navigating adolescence. With a spunky MC, you can’t help but root for Aven as she adjusts to her family moving to a run-down amusement park in Arizona. I felt that Bowling did a great job with Aven’s character development, especially taking note with addressing Aven’s disability and how Aven’s lived experience as a disabled person interacts with others in the book (for example, considering the ableism Aven and Connor have faced in their lives). While some of the side/minor characters did pile up a bit (mainly with Aven naming all the employees at Stagecoach Pass) and readers can get lost, the core group of side characters is balanced and given their own time to shine.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and I think Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus would be a good read for those looking for contemporary fiction with hints of mystery narrated through a spirited MC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Body shaming, Dementia, and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment
whitne_ey's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Death of parent
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Body shaming, and Alcohol
orizenda's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book made me remember how much I loved reading as a kid. I would have loved this book as a kid. I want to spend more time with Aven.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Dementia, and Death of parent
ems_rxlibrary's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I thought this was a really sweet story! I loved the disability representation and how it is written in a simple to understand way for younger readers. Aven’s parents were wonderful and supportive!
I also loved the friendship between Aven, Connor, and Zion. Aven was truly the glue they needed.
I also loved the friendship between Aven, Connor, and Zion. Aven was truly the glue they needed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Minor: Death of parent
someonelikeblue's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Bullying
Moderate: Fatphobia and Dementia
Minor: Death of parent
allweseeorseem's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
Minor: Ableism, Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Excrement, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
A lovely story mostly about friendship and believing in and accepting yourself & others as they are and what they aspire to be. Disability-affirming.mandi4886's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Dementia
nxclx's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
As someone that is fully abled, I want to preface this review by saying just that: this is an outsiders review and should be taken as such. Please see other reviews for a more first hand perspective. I have looked over other reviews before writing this one, as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. For the main plots, I liked it a lot, save for the ending with the adoption reveal. I personally could have done without that. I found the mystery aspect to be fun and just as silly as middle graders would make it be. I personally liked how the disabilities of the two characters were addressed and progressed throughout the book, and how all three were considered outcasts and banded together before branching out to others at the end. I can see how certain parts could be handled better ("be a man" and other gender enforcing wording for example) , but it didn't ruin the book for me. I think this would be a great book to show middle graders and to have a discussion about after the fact. It seems like a great starting point to introduce heavier topics and open up discussions.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. For the main plots, I liked it a lot, save for the ending with the adoption reveal. I personally could have done without that. I found the mystery aspect to be fun and just as silly as middle graders would make it be. I personally liked how the disabilities of the two characters were addressed and progressed throughout the book, and how all three were considered outcasts and banded together before branching out to others at the end. I can see how certain parts could be handled better ("be a man" and other gender enforcing wording for example) , but it didn't ruin the book for me. I think this would be a great book to show middle graders and to have a discussion about after the fact. It seems like a great starting point to introduce heavier topics and open up discussions.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Stalking and Murder