I didn't realize this was a follow up story until I read another review of the book. The story seemed to stand alone just fine and I liked the characters well enough, but there were some key plot points that seemed like something was missing, like why Rylee and Twig stopped being friends and why they started being friends again. The September 11 parts of the book were very well done and I liked the small town in Texas setting. But I don't know that any of my students would really enjoy this one.

Antler, Texas - I could just feel the small town feel through Rylee’s voice. Her friendship with Joe, newly moved to Antler from New York City, seems unusual, but since she and her friend Twig are having problems, they do just naturally fall together. Rylee needs to solve the mystery of why her father and Uncle Cal were given a picture of Zachary Beaver and Joe becomes her partner in this investigation. Centered around 9/11, this book is a wonderful story and companion to Kimberly Willis Holt's When Zachary Beaver Came to Town.

A good follow up to Zachary Beaver, but a totally different tale of friends, old and new and friendships and their complexities.

This is a great coming-of-age book about letting go and finding acceptance when life is unclear. When Joe, Twig, and Rylee experience life-changing loss, they grow from each others experiences. The writing is delicate and sensible while maintaining the reader. This was a fun book to read with has laughs throughout. I highly recommend this book for all ages, middle school through adult.

When Zachary Beaver Came to Town is a novel that I will always remember. At a time when middle grade and young adult novels shied didn’t focus heavily on weight discrimination and body image, it helped readers learn to empathize instead of ridicule. But, it was supposed that the author was finished writing about these particular characters. So, when I saw this book available on NetGalley, I desperately wanted to read it and learn more about Zachary‘s story. I have to say it is not quite as good as the first novel, but it definitely made me want to keep turning the pages and find out what happened to the characters. Spoiler alert, you do find out what happened to Zachary Beaver, but it’s not the whole focus of the story. It is also a story about friendship, learning to forgive, and about seeing beyond the differences we have and getting to know each other better. Kimberly Willis Holt did an amazing job with this book, and I think readers who want to know more about Zachary will be pleased with the outcome.

With thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an early copy in return for an honest review.

Note: Although this is a companion novel to When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, I hadn't read the first book and didn't feel confused at all, so this book can definitely be read as a stand-alone.

One of the things that really elevates a book for me is a sense of place, and The Ambassador of Nowhere Texas does that incredibly well. I felt like I was walking down the streets of a small Texas town (Note: if you want to enhance the experience, download some Nickel Creek music to listen while you read!). I think the book does an excellent job of introducing middle grades readers to the impact of 9/11, in an age appropriate manner. The theme of friendship is one that many middle grades readers will relate to and they will related to how Rylee navigates different friendships. Often, parents and educators of young MG readers ask about this, so it is worth noting that there is some light dating in the story.

I am thrilled to review The Ambassador of Nowhere Texas. It’s a middle grade read that I think young readers will find appealing. Rylee is 12, a difficult age for a girl, especially in a small community. Her friendship with Twig undergoes transformations which are difficult to accept. The book revolves around Antler, Texas and the connections of its residents. It also picks up with a previous book by Holt, which I thought was a nice thread. 9/11 is another theme in the story, adding to the poignancy. I enjoyed it and think Holt has found the right blend for an adolescent girl. It was also fun to read about technology of 2001 and the nostalgic use of microfilm and magazine indices.

The Ambassador of Nowhere Texas by Kimberly Willis Holt is a welcome addition of the Zachary Beaver story. It brought home the tragedy of 9/11 to the people living far from the epicenter of the event. The characters were realistic and engaging.

This book was a joy to read! Even though it is a follow-up to the book When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, you can read this book and still find it delightful as a standalone. Rylee is a girl who is happy living in her small Texas panhandle town, but then 9/11 happens and the world starts to shift a bit around her. This is a book about friendship, grief, the power of libraries, an appreciation of the world around you, and dealing with growing up. I ranged in emotion from elated to heartbroken and wanted to go to the Opry with all these characters.

It had been a long time since I read the first story. I should have made time to read that before I read this companion novel. I was trying to remember the characters specifically and I could not, but that's not to say you need to read the first to read this one. The historical timeline was very on point and I do appreciate stories about 9/11 because truth be told students have no idea what occurred during that historical moment. The drama between friends is something that I think students will cling on to, they're always looking for moments that are relatable. This would be a good story to read aloud, or even start with the first and then continue. You can bring in a lot in the classroom to truly dissect the story.

I wish I could give 1/2 stars, because this was a solid 4.5 stars! I didn’t know it was a sequel going in, but it was fine as a stand alone. Although now I would definitely like to go back and read “When Zachary Beaver Came to Town.”

This book follows Rylee, the daughter of Toby from the first book. Rylee & her family live in a small town in the Texas panhandle and have for a long time. When she starts having friend trouble, things start to go downhill until Joe comes to town. As she and Joe become friends and work on a project together, Rylee learns a lot about loss and home and friendship.

This is a great, uplifting book that reminds us of the the loss and sacrifice of September 11 and the importance of friendship and home. I can’t wait to order it for my school library. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.

Maybe because I'm female but Holt's book of Zachary Beaver just didn't hit a note with me but this one is wonderful. Friendship is a strong bond. It can survive decades of not seeing each other, through a fight or even though the physical time is short it can last a lifetime. Loved the character Rylee as she sorts out her feelings on friends, takes up playing the mad0lin, and waits patiently for Joe to reveal what happened on 9/11 to his family.
To think she and Joe can search for Zachary Beaver to reunite her dad with him shows determination and a great friendship with Joe. Strong family bonds in several families though her BF Twig's parents are getting a divorce. Loved the story.

Even though this story continues the characters from the beloved WHEN ZACHARY BEAVER CAME TO TOWN you can read it as a standalone without any problem. Rylee is proud of her little Texas town and intends to show the new kid from New York City everything it has to offer. She is stunned to learn that Joe's dad was a first responder on 9/11 and just as stunned to find that her best friend Twig really doesn't have time for her anymore and they are growing apart. Rylee and Joe set out on a mission that will cement their friendship and help them get through tough times. Middle grade sweetness with themes of friendship, loss and coming of age. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

Wow. This book was an amazing, feel-good companion to When Zachary Beaver Comes to Town. It has the same heart and characters as the first book and is set in another turbulent time in history. I absolutely loved it, plus it has a happy ending, which will satisfy fans of the first book.

This is a companion novel to Zachary Beaver Came to Town. Rylee, the unofficial ambassador in town, and her best friend aren’t talking. A new boy comes to town from NY, and Rylee befriends him. Rylee finds out his dad was a first responder during 9/11. As time passes, Rylee and Joe decide to find out what happened to Rylee’s dad friend, Zachary. In the end, Joe and his mom go back to NY and Rylee and her best friend begin talking again .This was a wonderful story about friendship, family, loss, and hope.

The sequel to Kimberly Willis Holt's award winning "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town," features Toby's daughter, Rylee. The time period is 2001 and the world is reeling from the shock of the attack on the Twin Towers. Rylee's longtime friend, Twig, has become cold and distant, and the new kid, Joe, has secrets. Joe connects with Rylee and keeps urging her to find what happened to Zachary Beaver. Rylee is reluctant to do so, but Joe's faith that a true friendship never fades goads Rylee into participating in the search with him.

Kimberly Willis Holt is one of my favorite children's authors; her book are generally added to my purchase list for my school library without hesitation. I remember loving Zachary Beaver, which was the book that made me keep an eye out for her other books. For these reasons, it is so hard for me to say this book just didn't click with me. I'm hoping I'm just "in a mood" and when I read it again, I will like it better. I think the reason for my feelings are that I can't remember many of the details of Zachary Beaver and all through the book I kept feeling like this book would have more of an impact on me if I would have re-read Zachary Beaver first.

Kimberly Willis Holt's writing is beautiful and smooth. She has mastered character dialog to the point you can "hear" the characters speaking. Her characters are so unique and individual it is like meeting someone new. I love everything about Holt's writing.....but this one just didn't click with me. I will still purchase it for the school library, but I will encourage readers to read Zachary Beaver first.

Hands down a "Yellow Rose" of Texas! I was enraptured with the characters, themes, and quality of every part of this book. Rylee is a young girl from a small town facing the trials of adolescence. (friendship, family, independence, love, etc) After 9/11, her world changes and a new family comes to town. I don't want to spoil the awesome nature of this book with all the plot details. This book opened my eyes and is worth a read for all! Likely a multiple copy purchase for libraries!

A companion to Holt's National Book Award winner, When Zachary Beaver Came to Town set in 2002. Never have I ever wanted to visit the Texas panhandle more than when I'm reading this book. There have been moments I couldn't put it down. When Rylee and Twig's friendship takes a turn she befriends a new boy next door, Joe. Joe and Rylee decide to track down Zachary Beaver. A story of friendship, loss and resilience.

Kimberly Willis Holt returns to Antler, Texas, site of her book When Zachary Beaver Came to Town. This time, the protagonist is Toby Wilson's daughter, Rylee. Rylee is struggling in her friendship with best friend, Twig and is making friends with the new neighbor boy, Joe. Joe and his mom have moved from the Bronx following 9/11. A beautiful story about life in a small town, the ebb and flow of friendship and its enduring power.

Kimberly Willis Holt does not disappoint once again! I liked being drawn back into the world of Zachary Beaver and this town. Holt's characters always have so much depth and I was really engrossed in them.
It has been a very long time since I read When Zachary Beaver Came to Town. I honestly didn't remember the much of the details from that story but I did remember the characters. And that was okay when reading this book, since Rylee sets out on a journey to discover more about her Dad's friendship with him and what happened after he left Antler. Rylee is the daughter of Toby, the main character in When Zachary Beaver Came to Town and Toby's best friend (now Uncle Cal) lives right next door.
When a new boy moves from New York City to Antler right after 9/11, he convinces Rylee to set off on a search for Zachary Beaver. Together they explore the meaning of friendship and loss and how they need to keep going on even when the world around them changes more than they'd like. A beautiful homage to friendship.
I wanted a little more background on the town leading up to 9/11 and what Zachary Beaver had become or done with himself. But overall this is great writing and nice to come back to this setting.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!