Book Club - When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt-Fantastic!
Mike P
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(616)
Learners will be enriched by this heart-warming coming of age realistic fiction story of friendship, family change, unique true to life characters during a critical time in history. #academic
Class experience
US Grade 4 - 7
In this discussion-based format, learners will study this deeply sensitive, heartwarming novel that presents characters each of whom are deep in their own personal triumphs, roadblocks, difficult moments, and at the same time are wonderfully pulled into the dilemmas and events facing other characters in a unique way that pulls the town of Antler, Texas in the 1971 together with common goals. THe characters are rich and facing conflicts rooted in the accurate historical events of the time...
Learner goals include growth in vocabulary, understanding of the time period of the early 70s, decision making, conflicts/resolutions, character development/motives/ quirks , the genre of historical realistic fiction, turning points, figurative language, and overall powerful themes including friendship,, each day is a new start, the implications of war, reaching for your dreams, grief , sorrow, life and pace in a small town vs the big city, the danger of the path of lies, and more. This book is a significant and important piece of literature that handles all of these topics with such kindness, trust, learning from others and accepting others for who they really are, not what they look like.
I have taught this book since it first came out in 1999. It is a soon-to-be classic and a follow up novel was just completed by the author.
Homework Offered
For first visit , please read to end of chapter 12. For second visit, please read to end of novel.Assessments Offered
Grades Offered
When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly WIllis Holt
1.War- Vietnam war, graphic details are not included but the loss of a beloved big brother is part of the story and allows for the teaching of important life lessons. It is clear from the author's writing how no one wins at war and it is not to be glamorized. 2. A lead character who is over 600 pounds and is part of a freak show where people walk through his trailer, after paying, to see him. Again, powerful themes of friendship and acceptance are the outcome, 3. A parent of a main character who leaves town to chase her dreams of being a country singer, and then it is clear she most probably is not returning home. This topic is tenderly approached by the author through conversations the son has with his dad and then later with his mom.
When Zachary Beaver Comes to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt
There is nothing more exciting than when you see a student think deeply, question ideas, share a new thought, or explore character’s actions/ decisions or a quote or a purpose the author had when writing a novel and then connect the information...
Group Class
$44
for 2 classes1x per week, 2 weeks
55 min
Completed by 25 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
2-6 learners per class
