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Hugh Willard is a psychotherapist and writer living and working in Holly Springs, North Carolina. He has two daughters, two dogs and two minds (one serious and one silly) all of which keep him busy and happy.
Reviewed by Anna Del C Dye for Readers' Favorite
The Goodwill Vultures Club by Hugh Willard is about a fifth grade boy named Elton, whose dad is a ornithologist. The story includes domestic and wild animals. The plot is simple, and well-explored, teamed up with great characters to boot. This tale has many interesting elements: such as unusual pets, special ED people, ignorance of others, handicapped brother, and divorced parents.
Elton is a regular kid that loves to hang out with his pet dogs and a turkey vulture. He has a tree house that he uses for his club and the only members are his pets. He has been training the vulture for a year now and feels that Roberta is ready to go out in public. His father trusts him, but has a few misgivings about it. Some strangers take it well, while others are freaked-out by the bird. He soon gets in trouble by taking Roberta to a special sports night where he has to sit outside during the whole event. And then there is the swimming pool, where he is told never to bring her back. The worst part is when he gets a call from a special education director who knows his father and handicapped brother. With his heart in his mouth, he goes to see what she wants with him and Roberta. What will the result of this visit have to do with his ability to keep the bird?
I believe this story will be well received by elementary school kids as it is easy to read and entertaining enough to keep them turning the pages. It is a great story for 4th, 5th, and 6th grades.
