The Arizona Kid (novel)
1988 novel by Ron Koertge
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The Arizona Kid is a 1988 novel by Ron Koertge about a summer 16-year-old Billy spends living with his gay uncle and working with racehorses.
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First edition | |
| Author | Ron Koertge |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young adult |
| Publisher | Joy Street Books, Little, Brown & Co. |
Publication date | 1988 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 228 pages |
| ISBN | 9780316501019 (first edition) |
| OCLC | 17327918 |
Characters
- Billy Kennedy: a 16-year-old from Missouri
- Uncle Wes: Billy's uncle and mentor
- Jack: a horse trainer who expresses himself through the toupee he chooses to wear
- Lew: a co-worker and friend of Billy's
- Cara Mae: an outspoken racehorse rider who develops a relationship with Billy
Reception
Reviews
The American Library Association designated the book a "Best of the Best Books for Young Adults" in 1988.[1] The School Library Journal praised it, saying "Koertge's marvelous wit (also evident in Where the Kissing Never Stops Little, 1987) out of the mouth of his young hero is a delight, and his compassion for and understanding of Wes and Billy and his summer friends shapes a funny but affecting novel."[2] The book also received positive reviews from Publishers Weekly[3] and the Emergency Librarian.[4]
Criticism
The book is number seventy-five on the American Library Association's list of the top 100 most frequently challenged books from 1990 to 1999.[5]
