Rick

3.5 stars this is a great middle grade book

I knew that this was stylized similarly to [b:George 40948486 George Alex Gino https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532559186l/40948486.SX50.jpg 44165520] but I didn't realize it was kind of a sequel, or like, in the George-iverse, anyway. I haven't read George (I know I heard it's great but I just haven't yet jeez there are a lot of books), but I grabbed this off the new books shelf. I could tell at least some of the places where it was alluding to the events of George, but it works just fine as a standalone. It reminded me of [b:A Good Kind of Trouble 38251243 A Good Kind of Trouble Lisa Moore Ramee https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529118640l/38251243.SY75.jpg 59931991] in that it's very good at organically working big conversations about gender and sexuality into the story, in a realistic way that kids and adults might have these conversations and in a way that double as being informative and affirming for the reader without being too didactic. (In A Good Kind of Trouble the conversations are about racism and Black Lives Matter but it's a similar skill level of writing imo.) I also LOVED thatThis didn't end with them realizing that the bully is just a bully because his parents are mean and them befriending him again. Like there are defo hints that Jeff's parents, his dad especially, are not the best and that contributes to his behavior, but they don't let him off the hook for it. Like I think it is important to model empathy but also soo many books, esp middle grade, have this kind of bully-befriending ending and I just don't think it's always a realistic or safe thing to expect! Maybe like by junior high Jeff can get his shit together but for now he needs a time out IMO!

There are not enough words to express how much I love this book. I said that George was a must read and I am saying that Rick is a must read! Alex Gino is a freaking genius. Gino has managed to shed a light on parent's answers as to when is too young? A person's questions as to when do they need to know? All while telling a beautiful story of love and connection between old and young.

Gino has the same characters from George in Rick, but the story is told a year later and from Rick's point of view. It is hard being a kid, no matter what your gender or sexual identity is and someone asking you what it is or asking yourself what it is can be difficult to answer. Gino explores this issue with Rick's character. His parents seem “hip” and cool as to saying the politically correct things, but going through the motions. It is an unlikely source in Rick's eyes that ends up shining a light on who he can be.

I really hope that Mx. Gino continues writing these types of books because we need them. They are beautiful stories that help people get a better understanding of what it is like being human.

I got this book from my library. I love my local library and you should check out yours too. Request LGBTQ+ books and they will stock them! #ebooksforall