Rick

Starred review from February 24, 2020
In this standalone companion to Gino’s George, 11-year-old Rick grapples with his identity while navigating shifting relationships and learning about allyship. Now that he’s starting middle school, it seems that everyone expects Rick to “turn into some sort of hormonal beast,” but he worries that he’s never had a crush. Though he hopes that the Rainbow Spectrum, “an after-school club for LGBTQIAP+ rights,” might provide answers, he hides his interest from his best friend Jeff, a homophobic bully. As Rick begins to find words that describe his orientation—asexual, aromantic—he bonds with his fellow club members and is forced to consider his friendship with Jeff, whose bullying exempts Rick but not his new friends, among them Melissa, the star of Gino’s debut novel. In addition to feeling accepted by his club peers, he begins conversations with family about his identity, but it’s his deepening relationship with his Grandpa Ray, who loves cosplay, that provides Rick the safe space to be himself. Bonding first over a science fiction program, the two find that their connection spans beyond the screen, further highlighting the power of authenticity and acceptance. Through the Rainbow Spectrum, readers are introduced to a wide range of identities and pronouns. Ages 8–12.

Author Alex Gino steps up to the mic as narrator in this highly anticipated companion story to their breakout debut, GEORGE. The start of sixth grade prompts earnest, good-natured Rick to finally admit to himself that his lifelong best friend, Jeff, is a bigoted jerk. This uneasy realization, coupled with his growing awareness of his own disinterest in dating, leads Rick to attend his school's Rainbow Spectrum club, where he learns about asexuality and finds open, supportive friendship. Gino's expressive narration brims with warmth and empathy for their middle school characters, and their careful pacing makes it easy to understand who's speaking, even during group conversations. Overall, it's an assured, encouraging performance of a much-needed story that will speak to a wide variety of young listeners. R.A.H. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine