Hello! I'm Afoma.
  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading
  • Work with Me
    • Review & Promotion Policy
    • School Visits

Reading Middle Grade

Books for Kids and Grown Ups

  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading
  • Work with Me
    • Review & Promotion Policy
    • School Visits

Readalikes · January 28, 2021

8 Books Like… Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

So you read this memorable story by Dusti Bowling, now you’re on the hunt for books like Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus? Welcome!

Recommending readalikes can be a tricky process, but as I said in the first post in this series, I enjoy the process of finding similar threads running through even books that appear different on the surface. Today’s pick is Dusti Bowling’s Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus. I really liked this book, and Aven Green. It’s also a much loved book, although it is not an Own Voices take on disability. Still, it has good representation featuring a character without arms and one with Tourette’s.

Here’s my readalike criterion: Each book I recommend must have at least three strong similarities with the beloved title. For each recommended book, I’ll also highlight major differences to keep in mind, just in case they might put you off. If you or your kids loved this book, here are more books like Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus.

Ready? Let’s go.

Books Like Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

Wink

wink - Books like Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

Twelve-year-old Ross is just trying to get through middle school, but he has more on his plate than the average kid. Ross has an eye tumor. This book manages to include music, comic panels, disability rep, and humor! Major points for being Own Voices, based on the author’s experience.



Turtle Boy

turtle boy

Will Levine has micrognathia, a condition that gives his chin a weird look. He hopes to get through middle school by hiding in his shell, much like the turtles he’s been collecting. When he starts visiting a boy with an incurable illness for his Bar Mitzvah community service, he learns that there’s more to life than hiding away. Disability, STEM connections, Jewish culture, music, and friendship take center stage in this one.


The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

the miscalculations of lightning girl - Books like Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

This was one of the first (and still is a favorite) middle-grade books I ever read! Lucy got struck by lightning and developed OCD, social anxiety, and a super math genius brain. Lucy’s grandma insists that she learn social skills (make one friend!) before she tries to head off to college (at age 12). Friendship, math, animals, and a warm family dynamics make this book a moving read.


Forget Me Not

forget me not

Calliope has Tourette’s and a mother who’s always moving them from city to city. She struggles to hide her Tourette’s in school and manages to make one friend who sees her for the wonderful person that she is. Until her mom says they have to move again! This novel in verse is perfect for an older audience (11 and up).


Mustaches for Maddie

mustaches for maddie - Books like Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

This book is based on Morris and Brown’s daughter who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Much like their daughter, Maddie a quirky 12-year-old who is set to play Juliet in the school play is diagnosed with a brain tumor, and her life changes. In time, Maddie learns that she can keep her sense of humor while fighting cancer. This one will appeal to fans of school plays, funny books, and moving but tear-jerking disability stories.


Squint

squint - Books like Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

Also by Morris and Brown, this middle-grade book follows young Flint, an aspiring comic artist, who is well on his way to losing his vision. He and McKell, the new girl at school form a tentative friendship that becomes a safe place for both their worries and hidden talents. This is perfect for art lovers, those looking for more disability rep in middle grade and fans of books about unlikely friendships.


Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess

Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess - Books like Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

Macy is deaf, finishing sixth grade and adjusting to a newly blended family when her mom sends her off to help an octogenarian moving into an assisted living facility. It turns out Iris, the 86-year-old woman loves telling stories, but does not know sign language. This heartwarming pick is perfect for those looking for more books about blended families, friendships with older people, and of course, disability rep.


Aven Green, Sleuthing Machine

aven green, sleuthing machine - Books like Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

If you’ve read Bowling’s sequel to Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, then maybe try the prequel? This forthcoming chapter book highlights Aven’s life PRE-middle school, and promises to be a lot of fun!


Your turn! Which books like Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus would you recommend and why? I’d love to hear from you. Also, I would love your help with this series. Which middle-grade, chapter books, or picture books, or even YA books would you love readalikes for? Let me know!

Pin This Post – Books Like Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

books like insignificant events in the life of a cactus

Don't Forget to Share!

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pocket
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
  • LinkedIn

Related

Posted In: Readalikes · Tagged: disability

Join My Newsletter

Like what you just read? Sign up for my Friday kidlit newsletter!

Privacy Policy

You’ll Also Love

Picture Books About Disability
Review | It All Begins With Jelly Beans (+Giveaway!)
Review | The Chance to Fly

Comments

  1. makella says

    March 14, 2022 at 10:44 pm

    In my opinion, “Insignificant Events In The Life Of A Cactus” is a wonderful book. So inspiring and fun. Loved the book so much, I read it 4 times. It was so fun, and not a single page made me get sick of the book!! I LOVED IT SO MUCH.

    Reply

What do you think? Leave a comment Cancel reply

Next Post >

Review | Love Is a Revolution

About Me
Hi, I'm Afoma! Thank you for stopping by. Learn more about me here.

a group for kid lit lovers

reading middle grade facebook group

Get 2 Months Free on Scribd

Follow on Bloglovin’

Follow

We’re Social Too!

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Stock photos courtesy of our partners at DepositPhotos 📸

Find me on Instagram

whatafomareads

📚 Sharing the best middle grade (and adult) book recommendations
💌 [email protected] for book publicity (No DMs, please)

Afoma
If you love layered middle grade books that still If you love layered middle grade books that still manage to be fun and relatable and accessible to tweens, don’t miss this fall release! Sometimes I thought I was reading a book for adults! Especially with the tough issues Bishop explores during the Dad chapters, which are told in 3rd person (unlike the girls who narrate in first person)!

#sportsbooks #middlegradebooks #mglit
✨lifetime favorite✨ I’m not a big re-reader ✨lifetime favorite✨

I’m not a big re-reader but if I had to re-read favorite middle grade titles, this would be at the top of my list! Clea is a highly motivated middle schooler who’s finding it harder and harder to keep up with school work. Her thoughts keep jumping around and the only time she can really focus is when she’s playing chess. Soon, she’s diagnosed with ADHD and has to find ways to work with the way her brain functions.

I love the way this book deflates stereotypes about the condition and shows just how much effort people with ADHD have to exert to function in a neurotypical world. With an unforgettable voice and strong themes of friendship, family, and crossing over from childhood to teenage years, Focused is a memorable read. 

I would strongly recommend this one for anyone curious about ADHD, chess lovers, and anyone who’s ever squabbled with a best friend.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

#adhd #bookstagram #mglit
✨how ‘bout a little virtual reality?✨

☀️ Addie has reluctantly moved across the country with her dad for his summer job in the virtual reality industry. He's working on research to use VR for therapeutic purposes, such as helping people cultivate empathy. Addie is not into VR, but that starts to change when she meets Matteo another kid on campus, and tries out VR on her own. Eventually, the two find a helpful use for VR that helps other people.

🥽 I loved the illustration style in this one and while I found the VR setting a bit disorienting, I appreciated the unique lens of the story. The graphic novel format works brilliantly for helping readers appreciate the power of VR. I think with text, it would have just been too much “world-building.” This is more engaging and exciting for kids.

🐢 Lo and Behold is a clever middle grade graphic novel about virtual reality, grief, and parental addiction. Readers who enjoy VR will love this one, but as the Author's Note mentions, it will also be a fantastic introduction for those who, like me, aren't familiar with it. A fun summer read with hints of serious themes.

#mglit #middlegrade #bookstagram
✨surprisingly heartwarming middle grade✨ 🗺 ✨surprisingly heartwarming middle grade✨

🗺️ Ginny’s summer is thrown off when her dad gets a surprise redeployment in the middle of their family’s moving to another city. Then, her geography camp gets canceled. Her sister seems to be making new friends, but no one appears to like Ginny–even when she starts her own geography camp. 

❤️ I loved this book way more than I thought I would (from the synopsis). Ginny has such a great voice and she isn’t always the most likable character but she’s always real. I loved watching her grow throughout the story.

📍This sweet, unique young middle grade book made my heart grow and ache for Ginny and her family as they navigated a season of change. Features illustrations and a new geography fact in each chapter.

#amreading #mglit #middlegrade
My current adult reads! HAPPY TRAVELER is a non- My current adult reads! 

HAPPY TRAVELER is a non-fiction title about making travel work for you and creating enjoyable, memorable experiences. So far, I’m enjoying the author’s musings on travel.

HELLO BEAUTIFUL is a bookstagram darling (need I say more?) and I already know I’ll be reading it for a while. It’s one of those books that really forces you to slow down. The writing is so tender; it feels like the author loves her characters ❤️

#bookstagram #amreading #readersofinstagram
✨growing up is full of bumps on the way✨ 🤓 ✨growing up is full of bumps on the way✨

🤓 Sixth grade is off to a rocky start for Rex. His district moved most of his elementary school to another middle school, his best friend ditches him for the popular crew, and his blurry vision means he has to get clunky new glasses–the only kind his family can afford. 

❤️ This sweet graphic novel for fans of Telgemeier is an ode to middle school, family, and finding your people.

#graphicnovel #middleschoolbooks #kidlit
Do you like to hop on the “buzz train”? I find Do you like to hop on the “buzz train”? I find that buzzy books are often worth the hype. Even the few people who dislike them tend to have STRONG feelings about them 👀 which to me is a sign that the story got to you somehow. Of course, not every book is for every reader — hype or not. I share my tip for finding a hyped book that matches your reading tastes.

Which hyped books did you love? And which ones missed the mark for you?

#reader #bookstagram #unpopularopinions
✨a different kind of sunshine✨ I loved this g ✨a different kind of sunshine✨

I loved this graphic memoir about the author’s time as a counselor at a camp for kids with cancer. It was my first time reading anything by this author and I totally get the appeal.

This one didn’t end up being as sad as I thought it would be but it was very moving, especially because Krosoczka shares newspaper clippings and pictures of one the families with whom he forged a particularly close relationship even until his college years.

If you’re looking for an engaging graphic memoir for older kids ages 11+ this is a great choice.

#graphicnovel #kidlit #yareader
Load More Follow on Instagram
  • Blog
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 Reading Middle Grade · Theme by 17th Avenue

 

Loading Comments...