Plot Points
Where does Aven’s family move at the beginning of the story?
A theme park called Stagecoach Pass in Arizona.
What is the major challenge Connor faces in the story?
Tourette syndrome and dealing with/managing his tics.
What is one theme of Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus?
Answers may include: The importance of friendship, accepting differences in yourself and others, it's okay to be unique, and it's important to be yourself.
What is Tourette syndrome and how is it related to the story?
A neurological condition that causes tics, which Connor experiences.
What type of figurative language is used in the quote...
“My heart was racing a million miles an hour”?
Hyperbole: exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
Why did Aven’s parents decide to adopt her?
They believed she could thrive and wanted to give her a loving home.
How does Aven use creativity to solve everyday problems she may face?
By using her feet to perform tasks like eating, playing the guitar, and painting.
How does the story highlight the importance of friendship?
By showing how Aven, Connor, and Zion support each other through challenges.
What is a metaphor and give an example from the story?
A comparison of two unlike things without using the words "like" or "as".
Example: Aven describing herself as a science experiment.
What type of figurative language is used in the quote...
“It was like being a cactus in a field of roses (...)”
What important discovery does Aven make about the Cavanaughs’ past?
They are connected to/related to her biological family.
In what ways are Aven and Connor similar?
They both feel different from others and learn to embrace their unique qualities.
Learning to embrace who they are and being proud of what makes them unique.
What does the word "unique" mean, and how does it apply to Aven?
Unique means being one of a kind, like how Aven is unique because of her abilities despite not having arms.
What imagery does this simile create?
“The amusement park stood like a ghost town in the middle of the desert.”
An empty, abandoned, and eerie environment.
What is the significance of tarantulas in the story? How are they important to the characters?
Aven's birth mom loved tarantulas and Henry said they disappeared when she died.
How does Zion’s character help Aven and Connor?
By offering steady friendship and encouraging them to accept themselves.
What is the importance of the title Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus?
Small moments can lead to significant personal growth and connections.
What is the meaning of “perseverance” and how does Aven show this quality?
Perseverance means determination in the face of challenges. Aven shows this by overcoming obstacles every day.
What type of figurative language is used in the quote...
“It’s like my brain is a popcorn machine, and my tics are the kernels constantly popping.”
What does it help readers understand about Connor?
Metaphor: a direct comparison between two unlike things that does not use the words "like" or "as".
It shows how Tourette syndrome feels unpredictable and constant.
How does Stagecoach Pass bring Aven and her friends closer together?
Answers may vary.
Example: By giving them a space to bond, share their challenges, and discover their strengths.
How do Aven’s feelings about herself change over the course of the story?
Aven grows more confident and realizes her differences make her strong and capable.
How does the story use Aven, Connor, and Zion to explore the idea of courage?
Through Aven facing fears, Connor managing his Tourette syndrome, and Zion overcoming self-doubt.
How does Connor use the word "popcorn" to describe his Tourette syndrome?
By comparing his tics to popcorn kernels constantly popping to help others understand his condition.
What type of figurative language is used in the quote...
“I wasn’t born in a hospital, I was born in a petri dish like a science experiment.”
Why does Aven describe her life this way?
Avent does this to humorously highlight her unique circumstances and how she sometimes feels different from others.