During the summer of 1971 in a small Texas town, thirteen-year-old Toby and his best friend Cal meet the star of a sideshow act, 600-pound Zachary, the fattest boy in the world.
In 2001, seventh-grader Rylee Wilson and new student Joe, whose father was a New York City first responder on 9/11, decide to find Zachary Beaver and reunite him with Rylee's father, Toby.
After the sudden death of her parents, Stevie, thirteen, is sent to live at a rundown motel, where she charms everyone except her estranged grandfather.