Sixteen-year-old Billy is on a train to Tucson to
spend the summer with his uncle Wes, who he has never met. Billy has lived a
pretty mundane life in Bradleyville, Missouri up until this summer, intending
to make this his best one yet. Wes has arranged for Billy to work at a
racetrack taking care of the horses, which should help Billy in his quest to be
a vet. Billy is unsure what to expect from his job and his uncle, who happens
to be gay. 

Billy
is a laid-back kid who has a warm personality that allows him to get along well
with all of the characters that he meets in Tucson. He quickly becomes friends
with Lew, his partner caring for the horses. Lew has a unique family life that
Billy has never encountered in his life. Billy has never had a way with the
ladies. He has always been insecure about his height, which to him is
non-existent. He has vowed to not let that get in the way this summer. He is
smitten with Cara Mae the exercise girl from the first time he saw her. He
assumes he has no chance with a tough girl like Cara Mae but he is able to use
his honesty to convince her that it’s ok to open up.

Billy
is exposed to a completely different way of life in the desert, which allows
him to grow as a person in a way that he may not have if he had stayed in
Missouri. He questions how people treat one another and comes to appreciate his
parents more than he did. Koertge has created a likable character who grows as
a person throughout the book.

© 2006 Amy Ridley

Amy Ridley
received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Boston University.

Categories: Children