Books like Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

If you liked Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, read 11 Birthdays, A Million Ways Home, or Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared award lists and reading level.

Looking for books like Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling? The 10 titles below are the closest matches in the ReadingList database — each scored on shared themes, shared award lists, genre, and reading level, and each linked to the curricula, states, and grades where it’s assigned, with primary sources.

These are reading-level matches, not just topical ones — so the picks stay grade-appropriate for a grades 3–5 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

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11 Birthdaysgrades 3–5
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (3–5), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
A Million Ways Homegrades 4–6
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–6), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Librarygrades 4–6
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–6), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Fish in a Tree550L
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Ghost730L
Both on the Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award list (+2 more shared lists), overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Ghost Boys360L
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Guinea Doggrades 3–5
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (3–5), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Life on Marsgrades 3–5
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (3–5), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Malcolm at Midnightgrades 3–5
Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (3–5), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →
Mick Harte Was Heregrades 5–8
Both on the Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (2010s). Amazon →

Books like Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 3–5— same scoring, different audience.

  • Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper · 700L — Both on the Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s).
  • Pax by Sara Pennypacker · 760L — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s).
  • Restart by Gordon Korman · 730L — Both on the Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award list (+3 more shared lists), overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (2010s).
  • Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson · 440L — Both on the Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s).
  • Small Spaces by Katherine Arden · grades 3–5 — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (3–5), and the same era (2010s).

Books like Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus for middle school (grades 6–8)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 6–8— same scoring, different audience.

  • Ghost Dog Secrets by Peg Kehret · grades 6–8 — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and the same era (2010s).
  • Hidden by Helen Frost · grades 6–8 — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list) and the same era (2010s).
  • Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper · 700L — Both on the Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s).
  • Pax by Sara Pennypacker · 760L — Both on the William Allen White Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), overlapping grades (4–7), and the same era (2010s).
  • Restart by Gordon Korman · 730L — Both on the Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award list (+3 more shared lists), overlapping grades (5–8), and the same era (2010s).

Book data last updated 2026-07-07. Matches are computed from each book’s cited attributes — see the methodology.

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