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Aven Green #1
Aven Green Sleuthing Machine Lib/E
Third-grader Aven Green has been solving mysteries for a really long time--a whole month!
She has solved many important cases like The Mystery of the Cranky Mom, The Mystery of the Missing Ice Cream, and The Mystery of the Smelly Feet. Her record is nearly 100 percent, with only The Mystery of the Cereal in My Underpants remaining unsolved to this day.
Aven asks all the right questions, wields her detective kit carefully, and follows up on every clue. Then her teacher's lunch bag, with her lunch still in it, is taken, and Aven's great-grandma's beloved dog goes missing. Can this perceptive detective crack two cases at the same time?
Luckily, Aven has a superpowered brain full of lots of extra brain cells to take on both cases. See, she was born without arms, so all of the cells that were supposed to make her arms went into making her brain instead. At least that's her working theory for The Mystery of Why I Have So Many Extra Brain Cells.
She has solved many important cases like The Mystery of the Cranky Mom, The Mystery of the Missing Ice Cream, and The Mystery of the Smelly Feet. Her record is nearly 100 percent, with only The Mystery of the Cereal in My Underpants remaining unsolved to this day.
Aven asks all the right questions, wields her detective kit carefully, and follows up on every clue. Then her teacher's lunch bag, with her lunch still in it, is taken, and Aven's great-grandma's beloved dog goes missing. Can this perceptive detective crack two cases at the same time?
Luckily, Aven has a superpowered brain full of lots of extra brain cells to take on both cases. See, she was born without arms, so all of the cells that were supposed to make her arms went into making her brain instead. At least that's her working theory for The Mystery of Why I Have So Many Extra Brain Cells.
Audio CD
First published April 13, 2021
43 people are currently reading
1714 people want to read
About the author
Dusti Bowling
18 books1,315 followersDUSTI BOWLING grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, where, as her family will tell you, she always had her nose in a book. She released her first middle grade novel in 2017 and hasn't stopped writing since.
Dusti's books have won the Reading the West Award, the Sakura Medal, a Golden Kite Honor, the William Allen White Children's Book Award, and have been nominated for a Cybil and over fifty state awards. Her books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections and have been named best books of the year by the Chicago Public Library, Kirkus, Bank Street College of Education, A Mighty Girl, Shelf Awareness, and many more.
Dusti currently lives in Eagar, Arizona with her husband, three daughters, and a bunch of farm animals.
Follow her on Twitter at @DustiBowling.
Dusti's books have won the Reading the West Award, the Sakura Medal, a Golden Kite Honor, the William Allen White Children's Book Award, and have been nominated for a Cybil and over fifty state awards. Her books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections and have been named best books of the year by the Chicago Public Library, Kirkus, Bank Street College of Education, A Mighty Girl, Shelf Awareness, and many more.
Dusti currently lives in Eagar, Arizona with her husband, three daughters, and a bunch of farm animals.
Follow her on Twitter at @DustiBowling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
October 22, 2020
I can't wait for you all to meet eight-year-old Aven! She's something else!
March 24, 2021
This chapter book series is off to a promising start. Aven Green's voice is reminiscent of Clementine, Judy Moody, and Just Grace. There is lots of humor (including a smidgeon of bathroom humor which is always a crowd-pleaser) and some great vocabulary building. A fantastic introduction to life with Aven before kids are able to read the 'Cactus' books. I love, love, love how the illustrations illuminate what it is like for Aven to do all the things we do with our hands, but with her feet! And she has a culturally diverse group of friends -- her new connection in this book is a girl named Sujata with an Indian heritage. Highly recommended!
Thank you to Sterling Children's Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Sterling Children's Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2023
I don’t usually review books that I read with my kids but sometimes they are too good not to share. I’ve read all the characters: Ivy & Bean, Ramona, Judy B Jones-we’ve tried them all. No one compares to Aven Green.
Aven was born with no arms. She lives with her parents who adopted her as a toddler and refused to wait on her “foot and foot” teaching Aven that she can be independent. When Aven slips off her ballet flats she can do anything, including finding her grandmother’s lost dog and all the hi-jinx that go with it. Aven and her friends are funny(the jokes hit for kids and adults), authentic and inclusive.
I cannot wait to see Aven Green as she takes on her next project: baking!
Aven was born with no arms. She lives with her parents who adopted her as a toddler and refused to wait on her “foot and foot” teaching Aven that she can be independent. When Aven slips off her ballet flats she can do anything, including finding her grandmother’s lost dog and all the hi-jinx that go with it. Aven and her friends are funny(the jokes hit for kids and adults), authentic and inclusive.
I cannot wait to see Aven Green as she takes on her next project: baking!
December 22, 2023
I love this series. Starting from the writing itself! What can I say about the adult characters?! They are so wholesome and kind and patient which you won’t find in most middle grade books.
I can tell the main character is so relatable when it comes to this age. Most of us didn’t skip this childhood era where we want to be police or detective even for most smallest things.
The main mystery to find a missing dog 😭
I am telling you I love the representation and how real the main character keeping in mind her age.
I can tell the main character is so relatable when it comes to this age. Most of us didn’t skip this childhood era where we want to be police or detective even for most smallest things.
The main mystery to find a missing dog 😭
I am telling you I love the representation and how real the main character keeping in mind her age.
June 24, 2021
I loved Aven in Insignificant Events, but this younger version doesn't charm me -- she's kind of bratty and obnoxious. I particularly didn't enjoy her not-so-subtle comments about kids she thinks aren't as smart as her. Perhaps a younger audience will enjoy her adventures, but despite the appealing illustrations and format, it just didn't work for me.
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July 18, 2021Alma and Otto approved.
November 20, 2020
Thanks to Edelweiss for an eARC of this book!
I simply adore young private investigator Aven Green! She is lovable, spunky and hilarious. If you loved the "Cactus" books, you will love Aven Green Sleuthing Machine. Geared for a slightly younger audience, this book is a cute and fast read. Can't wait for the hard copy to give to students in my school library.
I simply adore young private investigator Aven Green! She is lovable, spunky and hilarious. If you loved the "Cactus" books, you will love Aven Green Sleuthing Machine. Geared for a slightly younger audience, this book is a cute and fast read. Can't wait for the hard copy to give to students in my school library.
October 28, 2020
Funny chapter book featuring Dusti Bowling's MG character as a grade three student.
June 14, 2021
Aven Green is a spunky third grader who was born without arms. She doesn’t let her disability limit her activities, though. When her teacher’s lunch goes missing and her great-grandmother’s dog disappears, Aven attempts to solve these two mysteries. The diverse cast of characters in this book includes Aven’s adoptive parents and accepting friends. Humorous and refreshing, Aven Green, Sleuthing Machine is an early chapter book that sets the stage for what is sure to be an exciting series.
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!
September 12, 2021
This is a great introduction for young readers to the wonderful Aven Green. This first book, and the next two that follow, will give them plenty of background information on her and her family for when they get a bit older and are able to read the terrific Cactus series. Love Aven, and looking forward to those next two books. Eight year old Aven is a marvel!
April 30, 2021
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for review.
I read this book aloud to my 5 year old and my 2nd grader, but it's one that my 2nd grader could definitely have enjoyed on his own as well.
It was a really fun and amusing story of a spunky girl trying to solve mysteries. Her intentions are honorable, even if she does get distracted by desserts and wayward thoughts most of the time. The main character was born without arms and it was wonderful how that was just a part of who she is. As she will tell you herself, the lack of arm cells just means more cells went to her super powered brain. She is so full of life with a narrative voice that kept us chuckling.
This book is the start of a new series and we are glad to know there is another book coming out this Fall!
It features the main character of the previously released middle grade novel Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus in her younger years and in a format geared towards younger readers (around 100 pages, short chapters, and frequent illustrations). You do not need to have any knowledge of the novel before reading this series. I have heard great things about it, but we have not personally read it yet, and it's fun to think that we have a longer, fuller story waiting for us about Aven later in her life.
I read this book aloud to my 5 year old and my 2nd grader, but it's one that my 2nd grader could definitely have enjoyed on his own as well.
It was a really fun and amusing story of a spunky girl trying to solve mysteries. Her intentions are honorable, even if she does get distracted by desserts and wayward thoughts most of the time. The main character was born without arms and it was wonderful how that was just a part of who she is. As she will tell you herself, the lack of arm cells just means more cells went to her super powered brain. She is so full of life with a narrative voice that kept us chuckling.
This book is the start of a new series and we are glad to know there is another book coming out this Fall!
It features the main character of the previously released middle grade novel Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus in her younger years and in a format geared towards younger readers (around 100 pages, short chapters, and frequent illustrations). You do not need to have any knowledge of the novel before reading this series. I have heard great things about it, but we have not personally read it yet, and it's fun to think that we have a longer, fuller story waiting for us about Aven later in her life.
April 16, 2021
Aven Green Sleuthing Machine is as much a fun book about using your brain as it is a mystery. Aven Green is a girl with no arms who decides she has become a sleuth. Some mysteries, she says, are easy to solve — especially when you're the cause of them. But, some require more brain power. When a string of mysterious disappearances of food at the school, along with gigantic messes happen, Aven is on the job. And, then when she finds out her grandmother's dog is missing, crime solving becomes even more urgent.
What a cute book. I love the fact that Aven talks about her armlessness up front and then after that it's no big deal. You're reminded when she writes with her toes or picks up a fork with them, but nobody treats her like she's any different from them, apart from occasionally doing things like holding a pen or flipping a button for her when she asks, a good lesson in not "othering" people who are a little different. This is my second Aven Green book. The first was YA, as I recall. This one takes a step back in time and is a middle grade book. Aven is a great character, funny and delightful. I hope there will be a lot more books about her.
My thanks to Sterling Children's Books for the review copy!
What a cute book. I love the fact that Aven talks about her armlessness up front and then after that it's no big deal. You're reminded when she writes with her toes or picks up a fork with them, but nobody treats her like she's any different from them, apart from occasionally doing things like holding a pen or flipping a button for her when she asks, a good lesson in not "othering" people who are a little different. This is my second Aven Green book. The first was YA, as I recall. This one takes a step back in time and is a middle grade book. Aven is a great character, funny and delightful. I hope there will be a lot more books about her.
My thanks to Sterling Children's Books for the review copy!
May 23, 2022
Dusti Bowling's middle grade books have been on my radar for years now, but this is the first book of hers that I have read. And what a delight! I finished the last chapter of Aven Green, Sleuthing Machine, and then almost immediately checked out Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus from my library's Overdrive collection.
Aven is a hilarious, witty protagonist who loves solving mysteries. The cases all have names that make me giggle, like The Mystery of the Cereal in My Underpants. And some of the dialogue is also gold, like this one:
"Grandma, where's the giant phone book of yours that everyone else throws in the recycling except for you?"
I also love how this book normalizes disabilities. Aven was born without arms, but it doesn't mean that she's any less awesome than her able-bodied peers. In fact, Aven is a leader, solving the mysteries of both her school's missing food and where her great-grandma's dog went, and befriending the new girl.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series, Aven Green, Baking Machine!
Aven is a hilarious, witty protagonist who loves solving mysteries. The cases all have names that make me giggle, like The Mystery of the Cereal in My Underpants. And some of the dialogue is also gold, like this one:
"Grandma, where's the giant phone book of yours that everyone else throws in the recycling except for you?"
I also love how this book normalizes disabilities. Aven was born without arms, but it doesn't mean that she's any less awesome than her able-bodied peers. In fact, Aven is a leader, solving the mysteries of both her school's missing food and where her great-grandma's dog went, and befriending the new girl.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series, Aven Green, Baking Machine!
June 19, 2022
At the age of 8, Aven Green is an experienced investigator. She’s been solving mysteries for a whole month! Now faced with two mysteries at once, she has her work cut out for her. Grandma’s beloved dog King Smith of Kansas (or Smitty for short) is missing and so is her teacher’s lunch!
Using her special Spy Kit, including a pen that records important interviews, Aven searches for clues, dusting for fingerprints, following footprints and investigating crime scenes. She never imagined she would face a skeleton, body parts (rubber) or a row of heads, in her search.
Following the popular middle grade series The Insignificant Life of a Cactus about Aven as middle-grade student, this illustrated Aven Green series goes back to when Aven was in elementary / primary school.
A budding P.I., Aven is keen to sort out any mystery that comes her way and does it with confidence and conviction.
With her quirky confidence and fun personality, Aven Green has quickly become one of my favourite fictional characters.
Using her special Spy Kit, including a pen that records important interviews, Aven searches for clues, dusting for fingerprints, following footprints and investigating crime scenes. She never imagined she would face a skeleton, body parts (rubber) or a row of heads, in her search.
Following the popular middle grade series The Insignificant Life of a Cactus about Aven as middle-grade student, this illustrated Aven Green series goes back to when Aven was in elementary / primary school.
A budding P.I., Aven is keen to sort out any mystery that comes her way and does it with confidence and conviction.
With her quirky confidence and fun personality, Aven Green has quickly become one of my favourite fictional characters.
April 19, 2021
No long review is necessary for this book. All that needs said is that it is a fantastic young readers book that features a feisty protagonist that has the disability of having no arms, yet is as able bodied as a human can be when it comes to most things, especially being a self-proclaimed private investigator. Loved reading this book with my kids! Highly recommend for all young readers & as a parent of 2 children w/ autism, I LOVE when books include main characters that are different from what children may see as 'the norm'.
(Be sure to check out Bowling's 'Life of a Cactus' series where Aven Green is first introduced.)
(Be sure to check out Bowling's 'Life of a Cactus' series where Aven Green is first introduced.)
September 3, 2021
Aven Green is a character that everyone can enjoy; she is funny, sometimes naughty, has friends (and an enemy), and was born without any arms. This fact does not stop her from doing all the things a normal 3rd grader would do. It is a fact that creates challenges, but Aven is more concerned with sleepovers, school, and most importantly solving mysteries. This is a great first installment in what is expected to be a new series.
April 14, 2021
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC!
It’s always nice to see a first chapter book series with a unique protagonist. Enter Aven Green - who has no arms and is taking her world by storm!
This is a fun mystery, which is always fun for young readers. Illustrations are nice and the characters are unique. Definitely one to add to your collection.
It’s always nice to see a first chapter book series with a unique protagonist. Enter Aven Green - who has no arms and is taking her world by storm!
This is a fun mystery, which is always fun for young readers. Illustrations are nice and the characters are unique. Definitely one to add to your collection.
October 27, 2021
Read aloud with my younger kids. Parts of this were really smart and fun, but on the whole I had to edit too many times to love it. Edits were for poop jokes, rude comments to other kids, disrespectful/going behind parents back.
February 3, 2022
I have read the other Aven Green books and enjoyed them. Here the author tells of a younger 3rd grade version of Aven in an early reader chapter book and does a nice job with it. The story mixes humor with learning cognitive skills for approaching conundrums.
March 1, 2022
A read this with my 2nd grader. I love Dusti Bowling and I love, love Aven Green! She's one of my favorite protagonists. This is a cute introduction to this hilarious character. Fun for younger readers.
January 11, 2023
This is getting three stars because I like the representation, and there's nothing technically wrong with it. But I struggled to get through this very short book. I found the writing and Aveng annoying. It got better as it went on, but the first 1/3 of the book was awful.
August 3, 2025
A charming start to Aven Green's middle grade series starts off with Aven solving the mystery of her grandmother's missing dog. It's cute, full of her quirky charm and good on audio too. I'm excited to read the rest of the books in the series featuring the unforgettable armless Aven!
June 2, 2021
Aven is such a facetious young child I love it.
June 28, 2023
Adorable, witty, and full of spunk! A GREAT early chapter book and sure to hook the reluctant readers.
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January 24, 2024I think this and the second books illustrations are really cute
April 17, 2021
Absolutely adorable, but no surprise there since Aven Green is the star and Dusti Bowling & Gina Perry created this book together! Dream team. :-)
July 8, 2021
I read this to my 6 year old and she loved it! She loved the words she learned from Aven and laughed so many times as we read.
October 22, 2023
Good for grade 3. Aven is a character and although the culprit in the mystery was obvious it was tied in with making friends and helping others.
July 7, 2023
I loved getting to know Aven in Dusti's book Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus so I was excited to see this earlier chapter book for younger readers. Again, Aven does not let not having two arms stop her for living her life to the fullest and this book solve mysteries. I will definitely recommend this series to my students!
April 10, 2021
What a sweet early reader chapter book! Love Aven and her friends. I definitely chuckled through this one...they will forever be robot chickens! Lol Highly recommend this for your young reader and even those young at heart. Great story, Dusti Bowling and cute illustration Gina Perry!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews