  | Aven Green sleuthing machine (Aven Green) Author: Bowling, Dusti | |
| Price: $19.06 | ||
Summary:
Third-grader Aven Green has been solving mysteries for a whole month--cracking such cases as The Mystery of the Cranky Mom. But can this perceptive detective solve two cases at the same time? First her teacher's lunch bag disappears. Then Aven's great-grandma's dog goes missing. Fortunately, since Aven was born without arms, all the "arm" cells went to her super-powered brain instead. (That's her theory).
| Illustrator: | Perry, Gina |
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| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 4.40 Points: 2.0 Quiz: 517787 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (03/15/21)
School Library Journal (+) (03/01/21)
Booklist (03/15/21)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 03/01/2021 Gr 1–4—Bowling's beloved "Life of a Cactus" protagonist returns in a new series of chapter books that capture her life as third grader. Aven Green is a smart, lively, confident white girl who happened to be born without arms, a congenital condition called amelia. For Aven, having no arms hasn't stopped her from living life to the absolute max! Young readers will laugh aloud at Aven's funny reactions to queries about what happened to her arms (they were not scrubbed off in the car wash, eaten by iguanas in the Galapagos, pulled off in a game of tug of war, or flattened by a steamroller). They will be intrigued by the practical skills she has perfected, using her feet to brush her teeth, comb her hair, eat mint chocolate chip ice cream, and write about all of the mysteries she has solved with her trusty magnifying glass and sleuthing kit. With no arms, Aven says all those extra cells went straight to her brain, making her extra smart and, in her own words, "a sleuthing machine" who has been solving cases for a really long time—practically a whole month! Bowling's book features Perry's engaging pencil illustrations, short five- to seven-page chapters, explanations of potentially unfamiliar terms such as brain cell and acronyms, and a list of Aven's sleuthing words: culprit, alleged, hypothesis, and more. The author holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in education and infuses her writing with humor and empathy. VERDICT This chapter book companion to Bowling's well-loved middle grade series is a recommended purchase.—Cheryl Blevens, Cunningham Mem. Lib., Indiana State Univ. - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 03/15/2021 In this prequel featuring Bowling’s armless sleuth, Aven (Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus, 2017), who is navigating third grade while pursuing detective work on the side, finds herself tackling two perplexing problems at once, with her grandmother’s dear dog going missing just as a lunch thief strikes her school. It’s a lot to take on, but Aven, armed—or “footed,” as she would say—with detecting tools and endless enthusiasm, is determined to crack the cases and bring the perpetrators to justice. She is an irrepressible and irresistible narrator, whether reflecting on life as someone born without arms or amicably interacting with her funny friends and family. Unapologetically smart and refreshingly confident in her abilities, this super-sleuth extraordinaire is a joy to tag along with. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.
