Many readers will remember Melissa and her journey as a young transgender girl in the book GEORGE. Author Alex Gino has returned to Melissa's world, but this time the focus is on one of her classmates, Rick. Rick's story is sure to help even more readers wondering and questioning their place in the world.
Rick considers Jeff his best friend. Jeff may not be liked by some other kids, but Rick likes the fact that Jeff will restart a video game so he can join in even if it means Jeff's character dies. Rick is comfortable hanging out at Jeff's and Jeff is willing to come hang out at Rick's. However, recently Rick has not been feeling comfortable when Jeff makes crude comments about girls.
Just before Rick's sister heads off to college, he tries to have a conversation about the fact that he isn't attracted to girls the way Jeff is. His sister tells him not to worry and even asks if maybe Rick is into guys rather than girls. Rick is pretty sure that's not the case either.
As he starts middle school, Rick is a bit overwhelmed by the fact that kids from a number of different elementary schools are being thrown together in one school. It is quickly obvious to Rick that many of the new kids think Jeff is a jerk. Rick is also surprised that his own grandfather announces that he thinks Jeff might be a jerk, too.
When Rick sees the posters advertising a student group called Rainbow Spectrum, he decides to attend the first meeting to hopefully find some answers. He makes sure Jeff doesn't know he's going to the meeting because he certainly doesn't need that kind of hassle. The kids at the meeting are friendly and leave Rick with a lot to think about, and he really begins to question his friendship instincts when discovers Jeff defacing the Rainbow Spectrum club posters. Maybe Jeff is a jerk.
RICK is targeted at middle grade readers, but any reader looking for a better understanding of sexuality and all it encompasses will find RICK a thoughtful and encouraging read.
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