Praise for Kimberly Willis Holt: National Book Award - Winner ALA Best Books for Young Adults ALA Notable Children's Books Booklist Editors' Choice Horn Book Magazine Fanfare List School Library Best Books of the Year Georgia Children's Book Award (U of GA) Illinois Rebecca Caudill YR Choice Award New Mexico Land of Enchantment NYPL Books for the Teen Age Texas Bluebonnet Award Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award * "In this companion to the author's memorable When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, 30 years have passed and it's 2001. Evocatively written ("stiff as burnt bacon"), this is an altogether absorbing and affecting novel. It's obvious that Holt loves her fully realized characters and their small-town setting, and readers can't help but feel the same." --Booklist, starred review on The Ambassador of Nowhere Texas * "The strength of this novel lies in the insight Tate develops as she deals with tragedy and depends on the love of family. Artfully told, this middle grade novel pleases on many levels." -- School Library Journal, starred review on Dear Hank Williams "This book packs more emotional power than 90% of the so-called grown-up novels taking up precious space on bookshelves around the country. Kimberly Willis Holt's When Zachary Beaver Came to Town will resonate with readers." --USA Today on When Zachary Beaver Came To Town "Holt may not take her readers on wild flights of fantasy, but her quiet novel offers a slice of life that's hard to resist.

" -- New York Times Book Review on When Zachary Beaver Came To Town * "As in her first novel, My Louisiana Sky , Holt humanizes the outsider without sentimentality. Holt reveals the freak in all of us, and the power of redemption." --Booklist, starred review on When Zachary Beaver Came To Town * "In her own down-to-earth, people, smart way, Holt offers a gift. It is a lovely--at times even giddy--date with real life." --The Horn Book, starred review on When Zachary Beaver Came To Town * "Well-developed characters, all fantastic and flawed in their own ways, add plenty of spice." --Publishers Weekly, starred review on When Zachary Beaver Came To Town * "With tidbits of history woven throughout and the rich cast of characters, especially an endearing protagonist, Dear Hank Williams is a novel that sings from the heart." -- VOYA, starred review on Dear Hank Williams.