Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Rylee Wilson's dad is Toby from "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town." They still live in Antler Texas, and things haven't changed much in the last 30 odd years. Everyone has gotten older, and their neighbor, Miss Myrtle Mae has recently passed away. Rylee and her best friend Twig have had a falling out, and Rylee is navigating a new friendship with Joe - who recently moved to Antler after his father, a first responder, was killed on September 11th. After Toby receives a photo of himself and Zachary Beaver from Miss Myrtle Mae's estate, Rylee and Joe embark on a search to find Beaver and see what happened to him.
I loved the connection to 9/11, and the theme that those who weren't there have a different understanding, a different kind of memory about it. Kimberly Willis Holt is a great writer for middle grade readers, although a bit slow, this slice of small town life is a sweet story. More of a companion than a sequel, a recent reading of Zachary Beaver makes it more enjoyable, but not entirely necessary as it is indeed a different story.
Lisa Librarian
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