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Summary: When Zachary Beaver Came to Town is Memorable Coming of Age
Review: When the fattest boy in American rides into the small town of Antler, Texas, the effect is anything but small. Zachary Beaver arrives in a small trailer, decorated with Christmas lights. The trailer ends up in the town's Dairy Maid parking lot. Admission is $2.00 to take a look at 600 pound Zachary. Toby and his friend Cal join the long line for the brief glimpse. It is a summer of change. Toby's mother leaves her family behind for a western music career. Toby's best friend's brother is fighting in Vietnam. Toby himself is in love with Scarlett, who in turn loves an older and more suave Juan. And Toby lives in one of the more boring small towns of Texas, where nothing ever happens, until Zachary Beaver comes to town. "The cramped trailer smells like pine-Sol and lemon Pledge, and it's dark except for a lamp and sunlight slipping between the crack in the curtains. A drape hangs at one end, hiding the space behind it. And in the middle of the trailer sits the largest human being I've ever seen. When Zachary is deserted by his legal guardian, who takes off to find an additional side-show act, Toby and Cal begin leaving food and gifts on Zachary's doorstep. They hear Zachary's made-up stories of seeing the Eiffel Tower and the Seattle Space Needle. They learn that Zachary's mother died, and that Zachary was never baptized. Tender and memorable scenes include Toby and Cal building a set of steps to get Zachary into a truck to see a drive-in movie, and the efforts made to help Zachary be baptized, away from a side-show crowd at a nearby lake. The small town setting allows the larger and more important themes of love, friendship, loneliness, despair, hope and fulfilled dreams, to take their rightful place in this memorable coming-of age story. Winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town" is not to be missed.
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Summary: Yea Kimberly Willis Holt!
Review: This is one of the best examples of descriptive writing in Young Adult Literature that I have read in a while. Reading this book was like watching Ms. Holt paint a picture in front of my eyes. I immediately saw the landscape, and felt the heat of Antler Texas. Her characters were fully developed and by the end of the book, I cared so much for each of them. I was especially impressed with Cal's sister Kate - what a unique young woman she turns out to be. Never again will I see a ladybug that I won't think of the Ladybug Waltz and see them illuminating the cotton field. I would like to see these characters again, not necessarily in a sequal, but in another phase of their lives. Take the time to read and reread this one - my only question is "Where was the Newberry Committee on this one?" It's ashame that this one was passed over.
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Summary: A Powerful Book
Review: Tobias Wilson (Toby) is a typical middle school boy. He has a best friend, he is in love with the middle school hottie and is board with life.What awaits this boy is not typical. The book made me laugh, when I hear about how Cal got his black tooth, and it made me cry (for several reasons but I am not going to tell you, so you'll have to read the book). If any parent wants to know the feelings and emotions of their middle school boy, they should read this book. Issues the book adressess are: divorce, death, broken hearts, best-friend relations, and middle school pranks. READ THIS BOOK
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Summary: A Beautiful Book
Review: I was quite taken in by this book for many reasons. But I know what the main one was. Without a doubt, this book has one of the clearest settings I have ever encountered. By the end of the first chapter, Antler, Texas is a town alive and throbbing with real characters and the sticky heat of the summer of 1971. All the characters come into focus, but none more so than Toby, the narrator. Perhaps no tale is more told in literature than the "coming-of-age" standard, but Holt pulls Toby's summer off with grace, humor, pathos, and honesty. Is this a children's book? Yea, and a darn fine one at that. But it's also more. It's about wars and mothers and dreams and tiny towns and big boys. Do not miss this place and this book!
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Summary: Good family book
Review: I read this and loved it! I must admit that I am a big reader, and enjoy reading much more than other people my age. (Which, by the way, is 14) But still, I REALLY enjoyed this book. If you are thinking of buying this for a gift, aim for the 9-12 and 18 and older female age group, and the 9-11 and and fatherly or sensitive older males. My final opinion is I think it has good characters, a good setting, and a GREAT story.
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Summary: Simply Wonderful
Review: No way is this book just for people 9-12! I'm 15 and its one of the best books I've ever read. Its so moving and gives you a great sense of love and friendship. Its sort of like The "Mitford" series for a younger generation. So I really hope there is a sequel! It would also make a fantastic movie! Its the first book I honestly could never put down, and I can't wait to read it again. You MUST read this book, you'll never forget it. :o)
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Summary: One of the best books I have ever read!
Review: I am good friends with Mrs. Holt's daughter but yet I am reviewing this completely objectively. This book grabs you emotionally and does not let go. It is a very moving story with a great amount of humour as well. I reccomend this book to anyone who feels the urge to read.
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Summary: Could make a great movie
Review: About halfway through the book, you start hoping that someone will write a screenplay for this. I expected to read a heavy handed treatment of how a fat child ought to be treated, but Holt focuses instead on another character:Toby. His thoughts and feelings are subtle and true to life. The book scatters vivid richness all around - in the flaming red hair of Cal, on the ladybugs "like rubies dumped from heaven," and the burning sunsets of a small Texas town. You will feel the warmth when you read it, too.
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Summary: Simply the best story of the year!
Review: I just finished reading this book minutes ago and I am so moved and touched that I had to write in. Holt's writing is simple and cinematic. Her characters will stay with me for a long time. I was hesitant at first to read a book just about a fat boy who is ridiculed and objectified, but this book is so much more. The sub plots of Cal and his brother brought me to tears. I want to start reading it all over again.
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Summary: Winner of the 1999 national book award
Review: When Zachary Beaver Came to Town is the is the winner of the 1999 National Book Award For Young People's Literature
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