Kimberly Willis Holt

Kimberly Willis Holt (born September 9, 1960) is an American writer of children's literature. She is best known for the novel When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, which won the 1999 U.S. National Book Award for Young People's Literature. It was adapted as a 2003 film of the same name.

Life

She was born to a US Navy chief in Pensacola, Florida, but spent most of her childhood in Forest Hill, Louisiana, which inspired her first novel, My Louisiana Sky. As the child of a naval officer, Holt moved from place to place, most notably, France, Guam, and Louisiana. Her experiences as a navy brat are reflected in her Piper Reed series. She lived in Amarillo, Texas for a number of years, but now resides in the Dallas, Texas area.

Books

• My Louisiana Sky (Henry Holt and Co., 1998)
• Mister and Me (Puffin, 1998)
• When Zachary Beaver Came to Town (Holt, 1999)
• Dancing in Cadillac Light (Holt, 2001)
• Keeper of the Night (Holt, 2003)
• Part of Me (Holt, 2006)
• The Water Seeker (Holt, 2010)
• Dear Hank Williams (Holt, 2015)
• Blooming at the Texas Sunrise Motel (Holt, 2017)
• The Lost Boy's Gift (Holt, 2019)

Piper Reed chapter books

1. Piper Reed, Navy Brat (Holt, 2007)
2. Piper Reed, The Great Gypsy (Holt, 2008)
3. Piper Reed Gets a Job (Holt, 2009)
4. Piper Reed, Campfire Girl (Holt, 2010)
5. Piper Reed, Rodeo Star (Holt, 2011)
6. Piper Reed, Forever Friend (Holt, 2012)

Picture books

• Waiting for Gregory illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska (Holt, 2006)
• The Adventures Of Granny Clearwater And Little Critter (Holt, 2007)
• Skinny Brown Dog (Holt, 2007)
• Dinner with the Highbrows, illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker (Henry Holt and Co., 2014)

Awards

• When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, 1999, National Book Award for Young People's Literature