“Nothing ever happens in Antler, Texas.”

From Kimberly Willis Holt’s When Zachary Beaver Came to Town.

As the war rages over in Vietnam and Toby struggles to deal with life with his dad since his mom left to compete in a country singer competition, the arrival of trailer in a parking lot changes Toby and life in his town forever. Besides Toby’s best friend, Cal, having an older brother fighting in the war, life has been pretty boringly average. So when Zachary Beaver, the world’s fattest boy, arrives in town as a circus freak solo show, the people of Antler are captivated by the visitors. Toby and Cal try to befriend Zachary, but hardened by a painful past and manipulation, the visiting boy in uninterested in befriending any of the local kids. Over time, the boys form a tenuous friendship, despite their varied hardships and home lives. Believing that he is worth little outside of his weight, Zachary is focused on setting a world record, but Toby and Cal believe that there must be more to life than what meets the eye. When tragedy strikes the boys’ lives, each one is left struggling through grief, but when help comes from an unexpected place, Toby realizes that honesty is more powerful than he realized.

This story is a slow-building, but unforgettable coming of age story that will stay with readers long after the book’s end. Holt offers an interesting look at life in yesterday’s America that highlights the pain, joy, and life lessons that are involved in growing up. When Zachary Beaver Came to Town faces some tough issues, but the genuine characters and gentle style will keep readers engaged from start to finish.