When Zachary Beaver Came to Town

When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt

I grabbed this quick little read at a book sale. I thought it seemed intriguing because it had won a National Book Award. It was a quick read but I wouldn't rate it with any awards.

Toby's summer in Antler Texas has just begun. Zachary Beaver, billed 'the fattest boy in the world' has just rolled into town in a tiny trailer. Zachary is abandoned by his legal guardian and handler in small town Antler while he looks for other acts to add to the side show. Toby's life also revolves around sadness. His mother just left under the guise of winning a singing contest in Nashville. Toby soon finds that she has gone searching for adventure without him. Dad is quiet and likes the quiet life. Cal, Toby's best friend loses an older brother to the war in Vietnam. Toby's crush Scarlet gives her heart to another boy. Zachary, Cal and Toby become friends before the sideshow pulls out later in the summer.

I am sure this book was supposed to be about not judging by appearances. I didn't think it delved into that far enough. Also it was just strange the way things went with Scarlet. Yes it was plausible, just sort of pointless for me. The whole mother abandonment was glossed over and made to seem okay because she just needed something different. Toby spent a lot of his time wishing to be Cal. He wanted Cal's brother to be his and I think he wanted to be part of Cal's loving intact family. Basically he just had to suck it up that he was nothing but Cal's friend. The book was fine. I wouldn't mind if my kids wanted to read it. I question it as an award winner though. It didn't feel deep enough, nor did it feel resolved in anyway.

Rating 2.5 I struggle with this rating. I don't want to go higher because I felt like the book bordered on pointless but it was still an okay book and I felt for the main character. I would recommend it, I would just say be prepared for good but not great.

Rating PG Nothing too bad, just his desire for Scarlet was not really meant to be understood by the younger crowd.