Insignificant events in the life of a cactus

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 40 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. Chapter 1: Aven introduces herself with humor, even when people are surprised that she has no arms. How does her sense of humor help you understand what kind of person she is?
2. Chapter 2: Aven's family is facing a big change. What details show how Aven feels about leaving her old life behind?
3. Chapter 3: When Aven first arrives in Arizona, what seems different from her home in Kansas? How does the setting affect her mood?
4. Chapter 4: Stagecoach Pass is an unusual place to live and work. What are your first impressions of it, and why?
5. Chapter 5: Aven starts over at a new school. What challenges does she face, and what strengths does she show?
6. Chapter 6: Some people stare at Aven or ask awkward questions. What could those people do instead to show kindness and respect?
7. Chapter 7: Connor has Tourette syndrome, and other kids do not always understand him. What does Aven notice about the way Connor is treated?
8. Chapter 8: Aven and Connor begin to connect. What makes their friendship possible even though they are both nervous in different ways?
9. Chapter 9: Zion is another student who seems lonely. What do you learn about him, and why might Aven want to include him?
10. Chapter 10: Think about the lunchroom scenes so far. What do they show about belonging, friendship, and feeling different?
11. Chapter 11: Aven's parents support her in many ways. How do they help her be independent while still showing they care?
12. Chapter 12: The story begins to hint that Stagecoach Pass may have secrets. What clues make you curious, and what do you predict Aven will investigate?
13. Chapter 13: The desert setting is important in the book. What words or details help you picture the desert, and how does it make the story feel?
14. Chapter 14: Aven is curious even when something seems strange or creepy. How does curiosity help her in this chapter?
15. Chapter 15: Aven finds or notices another clue about the mystery at Stagecoach Pass. What does the clue make you wonder?
16. Chapter 16: Aven likes thinking like a detective. What detective skills does she use, and which one do you think is most important?
17. Chapter 17: Aven wants people to see her as a regular kid, not only as a girl without arms. How does this chapter develop that theme?
18. Chapter 18: Connor has strong feelings about his tics and how others react to them. What does his experience teach readers about empathy?
19. Chapter 19: Zion begins to spend more time with Aven and Connor. How does friendship seem to change him?
20. Chapter 20: Aven, Connor, and Zion each have something that makes school hard. How are their struggles similar and different?
21. Chapter 21: The title includes the word insignificant, which means not important. Why do you think the author might use that word for Aven's life events?
22. Chapter 22: Aven has questions about the past, but finding answers is not simple. What conflicts or problems get in her way?
23. Chapter 23: Aven learns more about the people connected to Stagecoach Pass. How do the new details change what you think about the mystery?
24. Chapter 24: Make a prediction: what do you think Aven and her friends will discover next, and what evidence supports your idea?
25. Chapter 25: Aven sometimes uses jokes when people make her uncomfortable. When is humor helpful, and when might it hide her true feelings?
26. Chapter 26: The friends work together to solve problems. What does each person bring to the team that the others need?
27. Chapter 27: Aven learns information that connects to her own life. How does this affect the way she sees herself?
28. Chapter 28: Compare Aven at the beginning of the book with Aven in this chapter. What has changed in her thoughts or feelings?
29. Chapter 29: Family is an important theme in the story. What does this chapter show about what makes a family?
30. Chapter 30: Sometimes people keep secrets because they are scared, sad, or ashamed. Why might a character choose to keep a secret in this story?
31. Chapter 31: The mystery becomes more suspenseful. What details make you want to keep reading?
32. Chapter 32: Connor is learning to trust his friends more. How does Aven help him feel accepted?
33. Chapter 33: Zion shows more confidence than he did earlier. What moment shows his growth, and why is it important?
34. Chapter 34: Aven discovers more about her past. How would you feel if you were in her place, and what questions would you have?
35. Chapter 35: Aven's parents react to difficult information with love and honesty. What does their reaction show about them?
36. Chapter 36: Think about a character who made a mistake or poor choice. Do you think that character deserves forgiveness? Why or why not?
37. Chapter 37: Aven has to decide how to handle what she has learned. What does her choice reveal about her character?
38. Chapter 38: How have Aven, Connor, and Zion helped one another grow since they first met?
39. Chapter 39: What scene from the book has been the most meaningful to you so far? Explain why it stands out.
40. Chapter 40: At the end of the story, what message do you think the author wants readers to remember about differences, friendship, and belonging?

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

Chapter 7: Connor has Tourette syndrome, and other kids do not always understand him. What does Aven notice about the way Connor is treated?

I think Aven notices that Connor is judged before people really know him. Some kids act like his tics are funny or weird, but Aven understands what it feels like to have people stare. She does not treat Connor like a problem. Instead, she starts to see him as a real person who needs a friend.

Chapter 19: Zion begins to spend more time with Aven and Connor. How does friendship seem to change him?

Friendship seems to help Zion feel less invisible. At first, he seems quiet and unsure of himself, but being included by Aven and Connor gives him more courage. I think he starts to believe that people might like him for who he is. That shows how powerful a kind group of friends can be.

Chapter 34: Aven discovers more about her past. How would you feel if you were in her place, and what questions would you have?

If I were Aven, I would feel shocked and confused because learning big things about your past can change how you see yourself. I would also feel curious because I would want to know the whole story, not just small pieces of it. I might ask why people made the choices they made and why no one told me sooner. Even so, I think I would be glad to have my parents and friends beside me.