When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt

I picked this up on a trip to the library with Azi --in the juvenile area, but always remember liking Caldecott or other award winning books. It did not disappoint! Toby and Cal are neighbors in a small TX town, best buds who ride their bikes all over town and are known by everyone. Enter Zachary Beaver, the largest boy they have ever met @ almost 600 pounds! He arrives in a trailer pulled by his agent, and the whole town comes out to parade past his trailer door to get a glimpse--at a cost of 50 cents. When his agent leaves, the 2 boys determine to find out more about Zachary; thus begins a series of small incidents of kindness towards this young man of 15 who has been living behind the mask of loneliness and sadness over his mother's death. Throughout, other hard issues are being dealt with in both Cal's & Toby's lives. There is healing and grace in community, in being involved in other people's lives by giving and receiving. A great look at diversity, judging, appearances, and friendship.