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The Arizona Kid (novel)

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The Arizona Kid
First edition
AuthorRon Koertge
LanguageEnglish
GenreYoung adult
PublisherJoy Street Books,
Little, Brown & Co.
Publication date
1988
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint
Pages228 pages
ISBN9780316501019 (first edition)
OCLC17327918

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

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  • 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

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Reviews

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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

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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]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "ALA Best Books for Young Adults". LibraryThing.
  2. ^ Lewis, M. (1988), The Arizona Kid (Book Review), vol. 34, School Library Journal, p. 118
  3. ^ Fakih, Kimberly Olson & Diane Roback (13 May 1988), The Arizona Kid [Review], Publishers Weekly, p. 278
  4. ^ Tait, S. & Tyson, C. (1990), Paperbacks for young adults, vol. 17, Emergency Librarian, p. 61
  5. ^ "The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–1999". American Library Association. Retrieved 2014-06-14.