Rick

Alex Gino's 'Rick' is a poignant middle grade novel about a boy named Rick who enters middle school feeling a deep sense of discomfort with his current friendships and societal expectations. He's always followed his best friend Jeff, despite Jeff's bullying behavior, and felt uneasy about his father's jokes about dating girls. The story follows Rick's journey of self-discovery as he finds the school's Rainbow Spectrum club, a safe space for kids of diverse genders and identities. Here, he learns about asexuality and begins to understand himself better, even if it means challenging old friendships and forging new, more authentic connections. This book is ideal for children aged 9-13 who are exploring their identity, navigating complex friendships, or seeking stories that normalize diverse experiences.