Imagine living in the hot sun, in the poorest town in the Arizona desert—Nowhere. In a town with the lowest graduation rate in the state, you wouldn’t expect much. Nowhere has some strange things—two bars, an ostrich farm, an excessive number of bullies. Still, in all of its dusty glory, Nowhere’s biggest claim to fame is the Dead Frenchman Mine. When the dreaded town terrorizer, Bo, demands that Gus go into the mine and fetch him a piece of gold, Gus is terrified. But his friend’s dirt bike is on the line, and he won’t let her down—at least, until he figures out just how scary the mine can be. I checked this book out half-heartedly, not expecting much. However, my mind was changed as I dove further and further into this captivating, heartfelt story, and realized just how wrong I was to underestimate this book. With relatable characters, a unique plot, and conflict that leaves you empathizing with those who have to endure it, it’s not hard to immediately fall in love with this story. This book especially stood out to me because the characters are so much more than they appear to be. At first, these characters seem like your average middle schoolers, nothing exciting about them. Yet, when disaster strikes, we learn so much about them. From cave-ins to treacherous pits and holes, the characters learn so much about each other. They share a hatred of Nowhere, and a fear of what haunts them from their past. On their journey, they don’t only discover new things about each other, they discover new elements in themselves and the bonds they share with one another. “I’ll be defined by what I do in this life, not by what anyone else does to me or says about me. None of that matters. All that matters is what I do.” That inspiring quote is an example of one of the many lessons demonstrated in the story. 24 Hours in Nowhere teaches us so many things, but one of the most meaningful lessons is to not judge people without fully understanding their stories. When Gus, Rossi, Matthew, and Jesse adventure into the ominous Dead Frenchman Mine, they face challenges, but they also overcome emotional challenges with each other, and the characters are able to lift some weight off their shoulders and express their feelings with each other. The most unlikely group is able to bond through their hardships and similarities in their past and their struggles. “What struggles do I have, and how are they similar to the characters?” was the question I continuously asked myself. 24 Hours in Nowhere lets you sympathize with the characters. It’s an enjoyable book because it lets you reflect on your own life and think about how there are less fortunate people in the world around us. Any fans of Dusti Bowling’s The Canyon’s Edge will enjoy this book because of their similar personal struggles and discoveries. Anyone who enjoys adventure, realistic fiction, and real-world issues will connect to the plot and the characters. Overall, I quite enjoyed reading Dusti Bowling’s mesmerizing novel that is filled with emotion and sprinkled with just the right amount of humor. Not only is this book about survival, but it lets you reflect on your own life and find similarities with the characters. 24 Hours in Nowhere by Dusti Bowling. Union Square Kids, 2020. Buy the book here and help support Stone Soup in the process!
Dusti Bowling
Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus, Reviewed by Emma, 9
Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling is a great book in so many ways. This book caught my eye when I was browsing the shelves of Barnes And Noble. The spine had the title on it in bold, bright letters, and it had a colorful background. Who wouldn’t read a book called Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus? So, I pulled the book off the shelf and saw the almost comic-strip-looking design of the front cover, decorated with a picture of a cactus in a green cape. Naturally, that was one of the books I took home, and immediately started reading. But the cover isn’t the only good thing about this novel. Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus is a perfect story of high school life, and many high schoolers will be able to connect with the story. Aven Green, the main character in this novel, is a girl who was born without arms, but her high school experience is unremarkable otherwise. Bullies. Dangerous lunchtimes. Friendships. Crushes. However, Aven’s life outside of school is anything but ordinary. Aven’s parents run an amusement park; in fact, they dragged her to Arizona for that very reason. Some of Aven’s friends are pretty different, too. Trilby’s homeschooled and likes punk rock. Lando and Zion convinced Aven to attend Comic Con. Connor has Tourette’s Syndrome. Henry, an old man who runs an ice cream shop, is losing his memory. These friends are the people Aven sticks close to, in case trouble comes her way—which it always does—and these are the friends who can embrace Aven’s differences. The character and plot development in this book are spectacular. There are so many fun facts about every character in this book. Trilby’s dad used to be in a punk band—that’s why she likes punk rock so much! Lando and Zion’s parents are total superhero nerds. Henry doesn’t know where the rest of his family is. Connor likes to sometimes bark like a dog. This abundance of characters keeps you interested throughout the whole book, until you start seeing each character as having their own story and plot. Speaking of plot, all the little things and problems in this book seem separate until they all connect together into the main theme: navigating high school and finding your own community in the process. To all the young people out there: are you strong enough to make your way through high school? Is Aven? Moments Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling. Union Square Kids, 2021. Buy the book here and help support Stone Soup in the process!
Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus, Reviewed by Aditi, 12
Have you ever imagined how life would be without arms? How would you eat, work, or do some basic things in life? Aven Green, the protagonist in Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling, is one such girl who was born armless. She didn’t lose them in a daring circus act or a fight with alligators; it’s merely in her genetics. Transitioning to high school is a significant milestone for any teenager, let alone undertake the endeavor as an armless person! At the start of the book, Aven is her usual self; she is confident and fearless. Her best friend, Conner, had recently moved to a nearby town, which would mean she would have to start high school without him. Aven still might have her other best friend, Zion, but it’s not the same without Connor. While Aven and Zion go to the mall to find a costume for Comic Con, Aven sees one of her classmates. After they talk for a while, Aven’s classmate humiliates her. She feels like a total failure! The bad encounter left Aven drowning; she struggles with a lack of confidence and self-appreciation. Her friends try supporting her, but it is to no avail. In her puddle of disappointment, she keeps pushing her friends away, like ripples emanating from a single point. One character that helps Aven find her confidence is Zion’s older brother, Lando. He shows Aven that she is more important than she thinks, and all she has to do is appreciate herself. Self-appreciation and belief in oneself are very important for one to have. Aven shows that if you lack these qualities, coping with disabilities or life, in general, will be nothing short of a disappointment. Lando shares some of his amazing drawings with Aven; they are full of color and represent Aven as a superhero. After looking at Lando’s moving illustrations, Aven starts to realize that she is more significant than she thinks. Outside of her school life, Aven is a horse-back rider. When her confidence slips away, so does her motivation to ride a horse. Aven was supposed to be learning how to jump, with a horse-show around the corner. Being unsure of her capabilities, she kept delaying the chances. Finally, once her confidence is back, Aven is ready to take the plunge! Sadly, it does not go that well for Aven, and she ends up in a hospital. Despite the fall, Aven quickly recoups herself and is ready to jump again for the horse show. “And then I was in the air again. But I wasn’t afraid of falling” is a testament to Aven’s gain of confidence and belief in herself; she is ready to take on anything and is fearless once again. Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus is an excellent and moving read! The beautifully crafted realistic fiction is connectable to readers of all ages. The hilarious dialogue exchange cracked me up! If you like books with some humor, real-life connectivity, and important morals, Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus is the right book for you! After I started reading the book, I couldn’t put it down! I love how Bowling incorporates so many plot twists and small cliffhangers throughout the storyline. The book’s neatly weaved theme can teach kids that confidence, self-appreciation, and belief in oneself are essential in whatever they do, no matter who breaks it! Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling. Sterling Children’s Book, 2019. Buy the book here and support Stone Soup in the process!
