Author Dusti Bowling as a young reader. Photo credit: Dusti Bowling.
I love the Southwest. I was born and raised in Arizona. I moved away as an adult for several years, but I couldn't wait to come back. I think one of the things that defines the Southwest (and Arizona more specifically) is the amazing landscape you can only find here. Arizona must have the most diverse array of landscapes in the U.S. of any state, from the Sonoran Desert to the red rocks of Sedona to the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, and many gorgeous canyons (I could go on and on). You can be in a hundred degree desert, then drive a half hour and be in the cool pines of Mt. Lemmon or Flagstaff. I've heard people refer to the "brown Southwest" or the "barren Southwest," but the Southwest is anything but barren, especially when you consider the unique wildlife that lives here. I've met so many people who assume nothing lives in the desert (except rattlesnakes and scorpions), but the desert is absolutely teeming with life. In my yard alone, we have adorable quail families, roadrunners, cardinals, hummingbirds, rabbits, several species of snakes and lizards, kangaroo mice, javelina, deer, and even a bobcat who comes around regularly. We did once have a rattlesnake, and we do find scorpions frequently, so those are definitely out there, too. And of course, the Southwest wouldn't be the Southwest without the Mexican and Native American cultures that have strongly influenced everything around us: food, clothing, architecture, and festivals. The Heard Museum in Phoenix is easily one of the greatest Native American museums in the U.S. and worth a visit to Arizona alone. I've been all over this continent and Europe, and there is nowhere like the Southwest. Aven’s best friend has Tourette Syndrome. Depicting a Tourette support group was a great way to show that there are a lot of different manifestations of this syndrome. What do you hope readers take away from your depiction? There are a lot of misconceptions about Tourette syndrome, most especially that it is all about people shouting cuss words. I actually included a child at the support meetings whose Tourette's manifests itself in this way (though he shouts words that aren't profane), so that people who read this book would understand that that form of Tourette's does in fact exist, but it is rare (and it's not even always cuss words the person says). I hope readers understand from reading this book that Tourette's is not something a person can control, that they are not doing it for attention, and that it can be extremely embarrassing and painful. I hope they take away empathy and the desire to reach out to fellow classmates with tic disorders, to let them know that Hey, it's okay. We know you can't help it. Who were you as a middle grade reader? What were some of your favorite books? I was a very introverted middle grade reader. I discovered my love of middle grade books around third grade, when I was going through some difficult times in my childhood (including my parents divorcing). I lost myself in these stories. Books were my friends, my family, my entertainment, my therapy. They were everything to me during that time. I must have read two to three books daily from third grade until sixth grade. I was never seen without a book in my hand and often got in trouble for reading during class. I read through all of the “Babysitter's Club,” “Sweet Valley High,” and “Nancy Drew.” But I'll never forget how Where the Red Fern Grows made me cry my eyes out. I think it was the first book to make me cry, and it was very cathartic. I don't know what I would have done during that time in my life if I hadn't had books.We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing
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John Sangster
OMG I found you... I am a lifelong friend of your Dad`s, John Sangster from Regina Sask now West Vancouver. Your father always spoke so lovingly of you and I so wish that some day we can meet. I adore your empathy for others. My sister Jill was a nurse for many years and ended up on the Human Rights Commission for the same reasons, her love of humanity in any form. I`ve been attempting to locate your Dad Loran for several months with no luck at all. We used to chat from time to time but now his number is disconnected... Can you help me reconnect Dusti ?Posted : Jan 02, 2018 05:27
Helen Casserly
Hello Dusti, I would love to arrange a Skype visit/conversation between you & a class of our Wonderful 4th/5th graders @ Longridge Elementary school, Greece, New York. Our school follows the ‘Leader in Me’ curriculum & philosophy. I have one or two ‘particular’ teachers in mind who are ‘shining lights’ within our School for embracing & celebrating diversity. I have introduced ‘Insignificant Events In the Life of a Cactus’ to their students. The students would be so excited & empowered to discuss their thoughts & wonderings with the ‘actual’ author! I would love to schedule a date in December 2017 with you. Yours ‘hopefully’ Helen Casserly Intermediate Reading SpecialistPosted : Oct 10, 2017 02:43
Emily
We have a girl in our community who had cancer as an infant and is living with one arm missing - when I saw this book, I immediately ordered it for her! :) Hopefully she loves it - this sounds like such a good book.Posted : Sep 21, 2017 01:25