The Arizona Kid (novel)


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.

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. The School Library Journal praised it, saying "Koertge's marvelous wit 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." The book also received positive reviews from Publishers Weekly and the ''Emergency Librarian.''

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.