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Kimberly Willis Holt
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Dear Hank Williams Kindle Edition

by Kimberly Willis Holt (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 83 ratings
Editors' pick Best Books Ages 9-12

It's 1948 in Rippling Creek, Louisiana, and Tate P. Ellerbee's new teacher has just given her class an assignment—learning the art of letter-writing. Luckily, Tate has the perfect pen pal in mind: Hank Williams, a country music singer whose star has just begun to rise. Tate and her great-aunt and -uncle listen to him on the radio every Saturday night, and Tate just knows that she and Hank are kindred spirits.

Told entirely through Tate's hopeful letters, this beautifully drawn novel from National Book Award–winning author Kimberly Willis Holt gradually unfolds a story of family love, overcoming tragedy, and an insightful girl learning to find her voice.

This title has Common Core connections.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Reading age
    9 - 11 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    225 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 6
  5. Lexile measure
    820L
  6. Publisher
    Henry Holt and Co.
  7. Publication date
    April 14, 2015
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. ISBN-13
    978-1627794435
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4–7—The year is 1948, and Tate P. Ellerbee is writing to her favorite singer, Hank Williams, as part of a pen pal assignment at school. Although her letter writing is one-sided, Tate continues to send Hank details of her life. She tells Hank about her actress mother and famous photographer father. Tate lives with her Aunt Patty Cake, who she describes as being like the sun because no matter what happens, she's always there. Her Uncle Jolly is the comic relief, as he has one heartbreak after another in his pursuit of a wife. Holt skillfully uses foreshadowing and the element of surprise in a twist ending. Included are some glimpses into the anti- Japanese and anti-communist feelings after the war. The author also highlights the Louisiana Hayride and Grand Ole Opry shows broadcast on radios throughout the country during that time period. The strength of this novel lies in the insight Tate develops as she deals with tragedy and depends on the love of family. VERDICT Artfully told, this middle grade novel pleases on many levels.—D. Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH

Review

Praise for Dear Hank Williams:
An Amazon Best Book of the Year
A VOYA Perfect Ten
A Wisconsin Reading Association Just One More Page! Master List Selection
A Missouri Mark Twain Award Nominee

“*The strength of this novel lies in the insight Tate develops as she deals with tragedy and depends on the love of family. VERDICT Artfully told, this middle grade novel pleases on many levels.” ―Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH, School Library Journal, starred review

“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

“Soulful and satisfying.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“A heartbreaking revelation at the book's end secures Tate's place as a lovable protagonist, while opening the door to a hopeful future.” ―Booklist


“While readers will find plenty to love and to revisit if encountering this novel on their own, the snappy pace, engaging tone, and epistolary format make this an engaging classroom readaloud, with the skillful exposition and the incorporation of historical details providing discussion fodder and potential curricular connection.” ―The Bulletin

Praise for:
When Zachary Beaver Came to Town:

Winner of the 1999 National Book Award for Young People's Literature

"This book packs more emotional power than 90% of the so-called grown-up novels taking up precious space on bookshelves around the country."―USA Today

"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."―The New York Times Book Review

"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

Praise for My Louisiana Sky:

"An unusually auspicious debut."―Publishers Weekly, starred review

"This lyrical first novel brings fresh perspective to the guilt and anger and caring that surround the mentally disabled. All the characters . . . are drawn with warmth but no patronizing reverence."―Booklist, starred review

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00O0EKC7S
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Henry Holt and Co.; First edition (April 14, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 14, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.7 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 225 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0805080228
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 83 ratings

About the author

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Kimberly Willis Holt

Kimberly Willis Holt

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I'm a Navy brat that lived all over the world including Guam, Paris and the New Orleans Westbank. Even though we moved a lot, my emotional home was always Forest Hill, Louisiana, a little town in the piney-woods where my grandparents lived. I married a Texan and have lived in Texas most of my adult life. Both states feel like home now. I like to say that Louisiana gave me roots and Texas gave me branches.

I started writing on yellow legal pads and didn't own a computer until after I'd been writing a year. Maybe that's why I still write my first drafts by hand.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
83 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's writing style engaging, with one mentioning it works well as a read-aloud for fourth graders. Moreover, the story receives positive feedback, with customers describing it as an interesting tale for young adults.

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11 customers mention "Readability"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and enjoy its writing style, with one customer noting it works well as a read-aloud for fourth graders and another describing it as one of the best junior fiction books of the year.

"...I would honestly recommend it to any age. A great read!" Read more

"I loved the way this book is written. A series of letters that draws you in to know more about this girl...." Read more

"Beautifully written!" Read more

"...Don't want to say too much but it is worth the read." Read more

7 customers mention "Story quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, finding it interesting for young adults, with one customer noting it's popular with all ages in their library.

"...the central La area where this book is set, and it caught my interest from the very beginning. It made me laugh, and it made me cry...." Read more

"...Just a nice story about a young girl finding herself and dealing with her family issues and growing up...." Read more

"What a delightful read! I think it would appropriate for any young reader. I also appreciated the historical references that have been included...." Read more

"This book has been popular with all ages in my library. Each and every person who has checked it out has returned it saying they loved it...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • linda babb
    5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I live in the central La area where this book is set, and it caught my interest from the very beginning. It made me laugh, and it made me cry. I absolutely loved all the characters. I am not a young person, which is the recommended age for this book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! This is my favorite Kimberly Willis Holt book now. My second favorite is My Louisiana Sky! I want my teenage granddaughters to read this book. I would honestly recommend it to any age. A great read!
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  • Jana L. McMullin
    5.0 out of 5 stars I loved the way this book is written
    Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I loved the way this book is written. A series of letters that draws you in to know more about this girl. I honestly do not know if a young person is interested in the 1940s in this day and age, but I found the time period intriguing, This book caught my eye because I have had pen pals for years, but I was immediately drawn into this girl's life. At one point, I wondered how this book would end as her life was so ordinary. I never would have guessed the ending. I was surprised and so intrigued that I immediately read it a second time to see if I missed clues as to the ending. I recommend this book to anyone, and I think it is a great book to read and discuss.
    One person found this helpful
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  • BRIAN K BEYER
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Beautifully written!
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  • Dorothy M Farhy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story
    Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    One of the cutest stories I have read in a while. Just a nice story about a young girl finding herself and dealing with her family issues and growing up. Don't want to say too much but it is worth the read.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Magic of Letterwriting
    Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    What a delightful read! I think it would appropriate for any young reader. I also appreciated the historical references that have been included. I look forward to reading more by Kimberly, to have available for my grandchildren to read as well.
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  • Kerry
    5.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't stay on the shelf long
    Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This book has been popular with all ages in my library. Each and every person who has checked it out has returned it saying they loved it. I guess I will have to put it on my own reading list now.
    One person found this helpful
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  • tsl82
    5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty sure we own nearly all of her children's novels
    Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    My 11 year old daughter loves Kimberly Willis Holt books. Pretty sure we own nearly all of her children's novels. As a bonus, they are included in her school's AR reading program, so it's always a plus that she can choose something she enjoys for her required reading.
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  • Melissa.acosta
    5.0 out of 5 stars And they absolutely loved it! I still have several former students who ...
    Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Read this book to my Class! And they absolutely loved it! I still have several former students who ask me if I'm going to be reading "the book" this year to my new kids. I told them of course I am!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Evelyn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book with memorable characters
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This is a beautifully crafted book. The characters are so vivid and poignant. If you love Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine, you’ll probably enjoy this. The storyline is so well thought out and I certainly did not see the curveball just before the end! The protagonist, Tate, is one of those characters who remains with you and I felt increasingly bereft as the pages whittled down, knowing I was about to lose her. I think, although he never actually appears in the book, the reader’s likely knowledge of the premature death of Hank Williams does add dramatic poignancy - especially when reading Tate’s final pen pal letter to him. In all, a great read for kids and adults alike. Buy it!
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