Aven Green Baking Machine

Aven Green #2

by Dusti Bowling, Gina Perry (Illustrator)

Aven is an expert baker of cakes and cookies. She’s been baking with her mom for a really long time. Since she was born without arms, Aven cracks eggs and measures sugar and flour with her feet. Now, she 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!

Genres: Middle Grade, Chapter Books, Fiction, Friendship, Disability, Childrens, Realistic Fiction

128 pages, Hardcover

Published August 17, 2021

About the author

DUSTI 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.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aven Green can do just anything!

In the first Aven Green chapter book, she and her friends were sleuthing. This one is all about dessert. Aven and her friends decide to enter the county fair baking competition. They start with a group taste-off at Aven's house to choose their recipe. A bit of a kerfluffle erupts when the group struggles with being openminded about the creation another team member has chosen. Just because Milk Barfi sounds icky does not mean it tastes like barf. And just because Aven does not like raisins in baked goods does not mean that Raisin Clafouti is a no go. The reader learns along with Aven about being a good friend and ready to try new things. It is also fascinating to get a glimpse into Aven's methods since she must do what we do, but without arms. If you are above chapter book level, you can skip this series and jump right into Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus. I am loving this series and can't wait to see Aven Green become a music machine in Book 3.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

"But you know what's one thing that's definitely not required for being an expert baker? Having arms. That's what."

I. Love. Aven. Green!!!

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aven is a new favorite character for me. I love her sense of humor, confidence, sarcasm, willingness to admit her mistakes and make repairs, and so much more. This book was a joy to read and I can't wait for more Aven in the future. Dusti Bowling is an auto-buy author for me and pairing her work with one of my favorite illustrators, Gina Perry, makes me beyond thrilled.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect Christmas read with your kids and you can try out the recipes given towards the end of the book!

I love this series so much! So much to learn for the kids in a fun way!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Sterling Children's Books through Edelweiss+.
Third grade Aven is back and has changed direction from the first book. Aven wants to enter the baking contest at their local fair and enlists help from her three friends. This does not go smoothly and her friends decide to enter without her. She makes a new friend and also insults his baking item. All of this because the foods are different from what she knows and likes. After time with her grandmother, Aven learns a hard lesson about being a good friend and trying new things that are important to someone else. She does enter the contest with Ren and make Manju. She also apologizes to her three friends and the five of them celebrate together.
Bowling addresses Aven's different abilities and offers a clear look at how capable someone can be when allowed to try new things.

[JZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that she uses her feet. (Age 6)

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

For young chapter book readers who enjoy Judy Moody and Ivy and Bean, Aven Green is a great new character for them to enjoy. In this second volume, Aven and her friends decide to enter a baking contest. But Aven's strong opinions about what should be entered cause problems when the girls meet together to try different recipes and pick one to enter in the contest. Her refusal to even try raisin clafouti not only drives her friends away but disappoints her mother as well. Learning to try new things before judging them may be the only way for Aven to win back her friends or enter the contest. Once again, Aven takes center stage in a humorous adventure in friendship and cooking. The inclusion of recipes at the back is a nice bonus. Aven makes for a winning heroine because is so genuine in both her strengths and weaknesses. A great addition to the series.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another strong, big-hearted and humorous middle grade chapter book featuring unforgettable, armless Aven Green as she takes on baking and tries to win a competition while also learning the important lessons about trying new things and not discounting things that aren't familiar. Good on audio and highly recommended!

[Everly Rodriquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK.😍 To me the first one was just sort of boring 🫤 ...but this one is sooooo good. 5 stars people! 5 STARS. that's how good this book is. I love how the reader is learning how to be a good friend, with Aven! I loved this book and I highly recommend it 😉

[Traci · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was good but not as fun as #1. Bowling put in a bunch of "hefty topics" like inclusion, friendship struggles, apologizing, appreciating differences, and more. It was a lot to pack into a small chapter book.

[LibraryLaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun second entry in the beginning chapter book series starring one of my favorite literary characters.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Challenges: Believathon Nov 2021 - Illustrations (4), 2021 release (10), short book (18); Reading Goal Posts/Stacking the Series - Priority Three/Tier Seven. Although the series continues using base human waste/body humor, the plot line improves in this story concerning continuity and purpose. Aven is not always the nicest eight-year old; her adaptive behaviors due to her lack of arms are accepted by her friends more than she accepts their ways of being different in likes and dislikes. But she does learn life lessons, tries sincerely to improve herself, and opens her heart to others while repairing current relationships. She is definitely a work in progress which may be the whole point of the series. This book is a great example of the emotional skills acquired through empathy and openness to new things. Look forward to Aven's next adventure with music.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aven is back! More great messages in this cute baking competition story. Without arms, Aven has to do things a little differently and now she learns how to think differently and be open minded of trying different to her foods. Some friend conflict and forgiveness for the win. You can also bake like Aven by trying the recipes included at the back of book!

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 even 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.

I received an ARC and am giving 4.5 while rounding up.

[michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dusti Bowling has started writing a series about Aven Green, of the wonderful Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, aimed at slightly younger readers. In these great transitional books, Aven and friends are in third grade and dealing with life. The newest installation is Aven Green: Baking Machine (8/17/21 Sterling Children's Books). In this story, Aven is excited to participate in a local baking competition for kids. She enlists three of her friends and they try to come up with the winning entry. Each kid brings any necessary ingredients over to Aven's and the plan is to make all 4 and then vote. Unfortunately, Aven struggles with the idea that she isn't the boss and also has an unwillingness to try things that she doesn't like. When one friend says they are making milk barfi, an Indian fudge-like dessert, the group laughs at the idea that it sounds like barf. But what really throws Aven over the edge is the idea of making a dessert with raisins. Her behavior is pretty awful and her friends get upset with her and decide to enter the competition without her. When Aven talks to another classmate about the competition, he mentions a family dessert of steamed bean cakes, prompting another bad response from Aven. Fortunately, an afternoon with her great-grandmother and some gently teaching help Aven see that her discomfort in trying something new was hurtful to her friends and that she will never know what she likes and doesn't like if she isn't willing to try. Bowling puts forth some wonderful life lessons for kids wrapped up in a sweet story.

[N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

May contain some spoilers

Aven Green has fast become a favorite children's book character (in this case, middle grade). In Aven Green Baking Machine, Aven and her three friends have decided to enter a baking contest. Each of them has come up with a favorite recipe (or altered one to make it their own). But, Aven is rude about the name of her friend Sujata's chosen dessert and refuses to even taste another friend's because it contains raisins, which she despises. By the end of their baking session, Aven has alienated everyone and they even decide to enter the contest without her.

When a boy named Ren sits down to talk with her while she's sitting alone and sad on the playground, the next day, she finds out that his mother makes a delicious dessert containing bean paste. Once again, she is insensitive about a dessert that comes from another culture and makes a face, hurting Ren's feelings. But, then her grandmother teaches her a lesson in trying new things and being kind to friends.

Aven apologizes to her friends and asks Ren if he'd like to join the baking contest with her. With the help of Ren and his mother, she discovers yet again that things that sound kind of awful can actually taste quite good. Who will win the baking contest? Will Aven be able to reconcile with her friends?

A wonderful story about being kind and culturally sensitive and trying new things with recipes, yay.

I received a copy of Aven Green Baking Machine from Sterling Children's Books for review. Thank you!

[OpenedBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The county fair is hosting a baking competition in Aven Green’s town. Of course, Aven is an expert baker. She baked a fantastic carrot cake all on her own with her mom for the first time last week, and now she is a pro. She has everything a professional baker has except arms. But you don’t need arms to be an excellent baker: Aven Green can do anything with her feet that other people do with their arms, except maybe picking wedgies. But that’s beside the point. Of course, Aven could enter the contest by herself, but it would be much more fun to do it with friends. Her three best friends all brought special recipes to share. They would decide together the best one to enter the competition. But who would eat anything called milk barfi or something with disgusting raisins? The taste testing turns into a disaster. Aven’s friendships are on the line. Will her friends forgive her, and can Aven overcome her animosity toward raisins?

Even though this story’s protagonist is born with Phocomelia syndrome, it is ultimately about a 9-year-old who has to learn what it means to be a good friend and to try new things.

My child and I enjoyed this book so much. Aven has the humour of that age group that still giggles about things like barfi and buns of steel. She is a typical 9-year-old that we could relate to in so many ways. We felt sad when she was sad and laughed out loud with her. It turned out to be a great bonding opportunity with my kiddo.

We will definitely read the following books in the series.

[Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for the free book to read.

Aven is back for a new adventure! My kids and I had fun reading this book aloud together, but it would also be a great choice for independent readers as it is short and full of illustrations. It is the second book in the series and follows a spunky 3rd grader with no arms and lots of opinions. I love how this series has disability representation, but in such a natural way that it is not how Aven is defined and instead just another part of her.

It is a really engaging story with humor and a great protagonist, but beyond that it has important social emotional learning aspects as Aven navigates disagreements with friends and learns how brash judgements can hurt others. There are several foods from other cultures or with ingredients she doesn’t like that she makes rude comments about without ever giving them a chance and she has some great learning moments as she makes amends.

There are multiple recipes in the back of the book of foods made throughout the story and my kids helped me make mint chocolate chip pie (Aven’s choice) but said they would like to make all of the desserts and decide on the best just like in the story.

[Miz Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aven Green, a self-confident, opinionated third grader who was born without arms, has no trouble believing she can, not only do, but be the best at anything. Her own opinions sometimes get her in trouble, as in this adventure, when she gathers her friends together to enter the county fair's baking contest and ridicules their desert recipe choices. But, Aven is as good-hearted as she is plucky so she finds a way to apologize and still enter the contest herself. The didacticism is gentle and helpful as the adults in her life guide Aven to recognize her cultural insensitivities and to expand her horizons. This sophomore adventure includes recipes of all the desserts Aven and her friends make. Aven is a fun (and funny) character and her continuing (and changing) enthusiasms make for an engaging series.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aven learns a great lesson in this about not "yucking someone else's yum," especially when you've never tried the thing you're insulting. But this is the first Aven Green book I've read (out of 4 thus far) in which I found her kind of obnoxious. It feels like the author was trying to give her a Junie B Jones-ish personality in this installment, and while I love Junie B, this didn't work for me. Also, to be nitpicky, Aven's friend has a unibrow, which is cool, but I have never seen anyone with a unibrow that looks like what the illustrator has depicted in Emily. It's bizarre. But maybe I haven't seen as many unibrows as I think I have. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Annie Dee Reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aven Green is at it again! She and her friends are going to enter the local baking competition. They just need to figure out which dessert they're going to make. When Aven doesn't agree with the group, she will have to find another way to enter the bake-off.

This early reader has uses in the classroom, with lessons about friendships (making new ones and treating existing friends), sportsmanship, and taking risks. Highly recommend for kids in grades 1 to 3.

**Part of a larger, early reader Aven Green series

[Bria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book as a Goodreads giveaway and recently read it to my second grader. She literally laughed out loud so many times. Aven is a strong-willed 3rd grader who is missing her arms. When she decides she's going to enter a baking competition, she enlists the help of her friends. Unfortunately, she has a pretty bad attitude when it comes to trying new things and the book follows her journey of learning that new doesn't equal bad. It's a heartwarming story of growth and acceptance that we enjoyed start to finish.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aven Green is on a roll with baking, so much so that she wants to enter a dessert contest with her friends. Things are going along well until her friends do not completely go along with the plan Aven has cooked up. With time, she learns to admit she is wrong and that trying new things can open lead one to some great discoveries.

I was hoping this would be a good one for one of my kids' book clubs, but there was a lot of silly potty humor that I am sure kids would relate to, but I cannot bring myself to use for a book discussion.

[Dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, quick read with a good lesson that every kid can relate to. I really like Aven and her upbeat attitude, so I didn’t think her mean comments fit with her personality, but it did teach to be kind and try new things.
Definitely Insignificant Events is a better book, but this was great for younger readers, especially to keep reading the series. I hadn’t read the first one but was familiar with Aven, so maybe reading the first in the series first would help other readers know and understand Aven better.
I do wish I had Aven’s talent of melting butter with my butt cheeks. Hahahaha

[David Rough · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Aven Green series is a special set of stories about a young girl with no arms. Aven, however, is amazing as she lives a very "normal" life by using her feet and creativity to interact with others and herself. This volume deals with some internal struggles that Aven must work through with friends and her interactions with them. Dusti Bowling does a masterful job of reconciling emotions and logic and discernment throughout the book.

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I would like to state that I received this book through the Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the author for giving me this opportunity and honor in being able to read this book. I really enjoy the authors writing style, I recommend this book

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still an enjoyable read like the first one, but here she seems very young and too much like Junie B. Jones, in my opinion. I've loved Aven Green for her uniqueness, but in this book her character feels more derivative. Still a good story with a good lesson.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author's note at the end of this book perfectly sums up why I love this series: "Aven grows and learns some meaningful lessons about teamwork, cultural sensitivity, and the importance of being open-minded about trying new things."

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really fun to read aloud to my five-year-old and nine-year-old. Even my eleven-year-old listened in. I liked the lessons in trying new things and cultural sensitivity and who to make and keep friends.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book! My 3rd graders loved it and can’t wait for more!

I love the addition of the recipes in the story and the social-emotional issues touched on. Aven is such a great character, you can’t not love her!