Zach Hangs In There is a social story about perseverance. Zach wants to get all the way across the trapeze rings at recess, but they are tricky! With help from his friend Sonya, Zach makes a plan and keeps revising it when it doesn't work. Zach continues to try and with encouragement from Sonya and his own positive self-talk, Zach is able to make it all the way across the trapeze rings for the first time!

This social story does a great job of illustrating the steps to make a plan and how to stick with and revise your plan even when it gets difficult. It also includes more information for parents, caregivers, or teachers on how to foster perseverance in children.

Zach Hangs in There is just one book in the Zach Rules social stories series.

A great book to go to when things get tricky! With 4 easy steps to help kids through any challenges, this book encourages perseverance, independence, and even encouraging others. A great resource for any school counselor's or teacher's library!

Zach has a goal and that is to get across the trapeze rings at recess without falling but he doesn't have a plan to implement its success. When the bell finally rings out he goes with his best friend Sonya to attempt it one more time. A little apprehensive and very nervous he tries and tries but fails to get to the other side. Can he really do this or is he just kidding himself? Oh my, poor Zach!

Sonya sees how much this crossing means to him and starts encouraging him and reminding of him of past accomplishments. He speaks positive words to himself, ( "I can do this!" and "Yes I can!"), sets his eyes on the prize and perseveres. Hurray!!! Victory!!! Zach is ecstatic. He is so proud of himself. Yes, it can be done!!!

He discovers that he must:

* start with a goal
* make a plan
* make a new plan if he needs it and of course...
* keep trying to the end

These wise tips can be very helpful no matter what age you are or at whatever you are trying to accomplish. Take heed and succeed! This is a wonderful inspirational message to pass on to your child and maybe even to yourself.

Overall this story isn’t bad. It reminds me of the shorts in between saturday morning cartoons. The idea was to help you learn something new. In this case Zach is trying to get across the trapeze rings on the playground. Him and his friend Sonya come up with a plan, and try, try again to get across. They then use those same skills to remember to have perseverance in class, and all things. It’s on message, and the illustrations are fine.

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People have come in to the library looking specifically for books on perseverance, so this would be a good title for the library to have! I liked the playground analogy that the book used as well.

Zach sets a great example for young readers everywhere. He keeps trying even when he's embarrassed or frustrated. The rings they drew at the end are a great way to help children set an accomplish their own goals.