Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus

Aven Green does not let her armlessness hold her back from enjoying life. With her characteristic humor, self-confidence, and honesty, Aven acknowledges and conquers daily challenges, what she calls “armless-girl problems,” that people with arms do not face (18). Aven enters high school with belief in herself, even though her freshman jitters are heightened by self-consciousness about her armlessness. She is determined to make friends and handle the usual stares and unkind comments with bravado and a blasé attitude.

Aven is kind, trusting, and empathetic. She cares for Spaghetti, identifying with how different the llama must feel. Aven, as Connor notes, always sees the best in people. She is a good friend, taking time to visit her elderly friends, like Henry and Josephine, helping promote happiness for Zion and Connor, going to homecoming with Zion, and assuring Connor his dad cares about him.

Joshua’s bullying has a traumatic effect on Aven’s sense of self. She loses her positivity and confidence. With the help of her friends old and new, Aven learns that what matters is on the inside, not how others see her, and that family is everyone who loves her, not just branches in her family tree.