Today's read... Aven Green Music Machine by Dusti Bowling

Today's read is the third in a chapter book series, which I've actually been enjoying since book one. This main character came from the best-seller, Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling. So, fans of that book will recognize Aven Green. It's always fun to see what she's up to next, so I'm just going to head on in and take a peek.

AVEN GREEN MUSIC MACHINE

Aven Green #3

by Dusti Bowling

Illustrated by Gina Perry

Union Square Kids

Chapter Book Contemporary

128 pages

ages 6 to 10

Aven Green, the remarkable heroine of Dusti Bowling’s Life of a Cactus series, marches to her own beat in this hilarious, upbeat, and unforgettable chapter book. 
 
“Bowling’s beloved “Life of a Cactus” protagonist returns in a new series of chapter books that capture her life as third grader. . . . Young readers will laugh aloud at Aven’s funny reactions . . . [and] they will be intrigued by the practical skills she has perfected. . . . This chapter book companion to Bowling’s well-loved middle-grade series is a recommended purchase.”—School Library Journal (Starred review)
 
Third-grader Aven Green is a real professional musician! She just needs to choose what instrument to play. When she decides to try the piano, Aven is disappointed when she can’t master Mozart in one whole day. To pick up Aven’s beat, her parents take her for a four-hour drive to see someone just like her play the guitar. With new inspiration and a special gift from her great-grandma, Aven is ready to take on the school talent show. Will she be ready in time? Or will she blow her big chance?

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MY TIDBITS

Aven Green is as spunky and determined as ever as she decides it's time to become a professional musician and perform in the talent show.

When the teacher announces the up-coming talent show, Aven is thrilled. She just had the idea to become a professional musician a few days before, and now, she's getting her chance. So, she announces her musical talent to the class. Now, she'll need to figure out which instrument she enjoys, learn to play one of Mozart's songs on it, and impress everyone with her amazing skills...and all of that in one week. But things might not be quite as easy as she hopes.

This is written from Aven's point of view and that as if she's telling her story directly to the reader. Since Aven is such an energetic girl with tons of personality, this makes it no problem to connect with her and be drawn in. The classroom comes across with a slightly humorous, positive, and natural flow. That doesn't mean everything is perfect, though. Her friends and classmates have their own quirks and rough edges, which make that end much more interesting. Readers will also identify with the various situations she finds herself.

One of my favorite aspects of this series is how the author presents Aven. While she faces obvious challenges due to her lack of arms, this is never dwelled upon. It's stated and explored in so far that it affects her life, but the stories go beyond that and aren't built on this aspect. Aven faces the same challenges as every child does and has to deal with many of the same issues. In this book, she learns what really sticks behind mastering a skill such as playing a musical instrument. She holds the same dreams as many kids her age, goes through frustration and disappointment, and has to learn how to face what she's told others when it doesn't portray the truth. In other words, this is a book all readers of that age group can identify with to some point.

The illustrations sprinkled in the pages make this a fun chapter book, which doesn't bog down. The font is easy to read, the chapters clearly marked, and the vocabulary introduces new words but doesn't expect too much from readers, either. 

I can't wait to see what Aven Green is up to next. 

Review: Aven Green Baking Machine by Dusty Bowling

I had the pleasure of reviewing the first book in this series several months ago and was excited to get my hands on this one. Aven Green comes from a much loved, middle grade tale,  Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, and tells of her own adventures in this chapter book series. Plus, this one inspires young bakers...which is a plus, right?

So, let's take a peek, shall we?

AVEN GREEN 

BAKING MACHINE

by Dusti Bowling

Illustrated by Gina Perry

Sterling Children's Books

Chapter Book

128 pages

ages 6 to 8

COMING...

AUGUST 17th!!!

Now that third-grader Aven Green has retired from sleuthing, it’s time to conquer a whole new world: baking!

Aven knows she’s an expert baker of cakes and cookies since she’s been baking with her mom for a really long time. Plus no one bakes quite like she does. She cracks eggs with her feet and measures sugar and flour with her feet (plus measuring cups), since she was born without arms. And now Aven has her eye on the prize: a beautiful blue ribbon for baking at the county fair. So she teams up with her friends Kayla, Emily, and Sujata. But it turns out they all have very different tastes and a lot of opinions about baking. Talk about a recipe for disaster!

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MY TIDBITS

This is the 2nd book in the series, but by no means is it a problem to pick this one up and read it on its own. The main character also comes from the much-loved Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus.

Aven has found her love for baking and wants to enter a contest at the fair with her three best friends. Each brings over their favorite recipe, and one by one, each desert is created. The best will be chosen for the contest. But Aven finds something she really dislikes about each of them and decides she can't support baking anything with raisins. Her decision leaves her in a fight with her friends and unable to enter the contest...unless she finds a way to make everything right.

I did read the first one in this series and enjoyed it. Aven is spunky and tends to tell everyone exactly what's on her mind—refreshing but gets her into tons of trouble. Her attitude in this book was a bit irritating as she complains about everything and is very harsh to those around her. Of course, people do act that way, at times, but it also made her dislikable since she made this mistake even several times  after her mother reminded her to be kind. Still, Aven learns her lesson, and the book ends on a good note. It's definitely a lesson for those kids, who sometimes act the same way.

The author packs diversity into these pages. Not only does Aven offer her own zest, but each desert comes from a different culture. I did appreciate this variety, and many readers will not recognize the dishes. The author adds the clever note of making sure to explain each lesser known item as part of Aven's candid narration, and there is a glossary at the end. As an extra bonus, the author adds the recipes at the end of the book, which encourages readers not only to bake but allows them to have a chance to try these more exotic dishes on their own. 

This is an easy to read chapter book with very short chapters (something reluctant readers will appreciate). Aven, of course, has her own, distinct way of seeing things, which is either a positive or negative depending on the reader. I find her character intriguing and a bit gritty...something young readers are sure to enjoy. Plus, baking and snacking are always a treat.

And here she is...

Dusti Bowling grew up in Scottsdale, AZ, where, as her family will tell you, she always had her nose in a book. Dusti holds a Bachelor of Psychology and a Master of Education, but she eventually realized that her true passion was writing. She lives in AZ with her husband and three daughters.

Gina Perry graduated from Syracuse University, worked as a compositor in animation, then an art director for a stationery manufacturer, before discovering her true passion—writing and illustrating children's books. She lives with her family in NH