~ Trade Paperback

~ Winner of the Beehive Book Award for Children's Fiction - 2020, the William Allen White Children's Book Award for Grades 3-5 - 2020, and the Volunteer State Book Award for Intermediate - 2020 

Though Aven was born without arms, she has never let her ‘lack of armage,’ as she calls it, deter her from doing anything she sets her mind to, but when her father gets a new job as the manager of Stagecoach Pass, a rundown Western theme park out in Arizona, the family’s move, right after Aven has started eighth grade, presents her toughest challenge yet: Having to deal with the many stares and questions of new schoolmates . . . 

“Bowling’s sensitive and funny novel Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus 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." -- Publishers Weekly