When Zachary Beaver Came to Town

Review 5

Willis Holt, Kimberley. When Zachary Beaver Came to Town. New York: Dell Yearling, 1999. Print.

Annotation: In 1971, "the fattest boy in the world" visits the small town of Antler, Texas, making a lasting impression on the whole town.



Justification for Nomination: Set in the small town of Antler, Texas,"where nothing happens", the coming of age story of 13 year-old Toby, accompanied by his best friend Cal unfolds. It is the summer of 1971 and Toby and his friend of the same age embark on one adventure after another in the hot, Texas weather. One day, a traveling circus sideshow, featuring "The Fattest Boy in the World", its only act, rolls into town, creating an impact on the boys as well the other townspeople will never forget.

Although this particular novel did not work as closely with major historical time-markers as I anticipated for a historical fiction text, it worked in other nuanced levels to contextualize its specific place and time. The handful of references to the Vietnam war, at times explicitly, but most often implicitly surface with references to Cal's older brother Wayne, serving in the war. In addition, what works to create the sense of a specific time and place are the characters of Antler and the strong sense of community depicted through their interactions.

Kimberly Willis Holt creates memorable, endearing characters that drive the story. After reading the novel, one feels as if they would recognize a Toby or a Cal, or Miss Myrtle Mae or Sheriff Levi and his riding dog, Duke personally. The adventures of Toby and Cal and their run-ins with other townspeople give the story a fast, yet comfortable pace.

In addition to the craftily portrayed characters and plot, this novel resonates with the modern young adult reader with its endearing coming of age story that seems so deeply embedded in the summer of 1971 in Antler, Texas. The issues of how to deal with a dissolving family relationship, loyalty to friends and empathy with those who seem "different" are all depicted tactfully in the novel, making it an exemplary candidate for Mock Printz award


Genre: Historical Fiction, Coming of Age