First published 1972
Andy thinks he owns the racecourse. He handed over three dollars and walked away convinced the sprawling track belongs to him. His friends watch him patrol his imaginary property with growing concern. They know the truth will devastate him, but they cannot bring themselves to shatter his joy. Andy has a mental disability that makes him vulnerable to misunderstanding and cruelty. His companions become his protectors, creating a buffer between his innocent belief and harsh reality. They buy time while searching for a way to let him down gently. The racecourse becomes a symbol of Andy's dreams and limitations. His friends must balance their desire to shield him with the inevitable need to help him face facts. The story explores how friendship can provide shelter without becoming a prison of false hopes.
Genres: fiction, family-life, friendship, mental-illness, contemporary, disability
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: false-belief, found-family
Setting: Racecourse
159 pages · Hardcover · Hutchinson Educ.
Content warnings: ableism, mental-illness