Books like The Arizona kid by Ronald Koertge
Billy, a 16‑year‑old from Bradleyville, Missouri, arrives in Tucson for a summer that promises adventure and a chance to pursue his dream of becoming a vet. Staying with his cool gay uncle, Billy lands a job at a local racetrack where he cares for horses. He quickly discovers that the horseracing scene is more rugged and demanding than he imagined, working closely with a macho survivalist. Along the way, he falls for the assertive, romance‑shy exercise trainer Cara Mae. Through witty, fast‑paced dialogue, Ronald Koertge follows Billy’s coming‑of‑age journey as he learns that gaining stature is about more than just the stereotypical Western symbols of Stetsons and boots—it’s about understanding love, manhood, and his own identity.
First publish date: 1988
Genre: Coming of Age/Young Adult Coming of Age
Authors: Ronald Koertge
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