Rick

Rick is starting middle school, and things are pretty much the same, right? Rick and his best friend Jeff fall into place as always. But Jeff is loud and proud about some things that make Rick very uncomfortable. Jeff seems to think everyone who isn’t just like him is fair game, and he particularly picks on kids in the Rainbow Spectrum club—a safe place for kids in the LGBTQIAP+ community. But Rick is questioning a lot about himself. He doesn’t get excited about girls but doesn’t get excited about boys either. He’s confused. His father talks about girls to him a lot. His mother makes it clear it’s okay for him to like boys. It’s Rick’s grandfather and Rainbow Spectrum who really open doors for him.

Author Alex Gino has done a terrific job writing about an important, difficult subject for middle-graders. The characters are credible and will-rounded, the situations are things to which kids will relate, and the handling of the subject matter is deft. Readers will find themselves cheering for Rick to make good choices and learn to live his life on his terms. This will be a great discussion starter for middle-grade classes.