Book details
Alex Gino - Author
This is a coming-of-age story about self-understanding, changing friendships and finding a community where different identities can be discussed openly.
Rick's never questioned much. He's gone along with his best friend Jeff even when Jeff's acted like a bully and a jerk. He's let his father joke with him about which hot girls he might want to date even though that kind of talk always makes him uncomfortable. And he hasn't given his own identity much thought, because everyone else around him seemed to have figured it out.But now Rick's gotten to middle school, and new doors are opening. One of them leads to the school's Rainbow Spectrum club, where kids of many genders and identities congregate, including Melissa, the girl who sits in front of Rick in class and seems to have her life together. Rick wants his own life to be that . . . understood. Even if it means breaking some old friendships and making some new ones.
Book Brief
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Sign in for personalised guidanceThis is a coming-of-age story about self-understanding, changing friendships and finding a community where different identities can be discussed openly.
Rick has not previously examined his identity and begins learning terms while attending a Rainbow Spectrum club. He is described as questioning and considering whether he may be asexual or aromantic.
Rick has followed Jeff despite bullying and homophobic behaviour, then increasingly struggles with whether and how to challenge him while forming new friendships.
The Rainbow Spectrum club offers a setting for LGBTQ students and allies, while Grandpa Ray is described as accepting, emotionally open and supportive of Rick.
Be aware of bullying and homophobic behaviour, including name-calling, altered posters and a briefly burning flyer. Family teasing, comments about girls’ bodies and references to past fights also appear.
This is a grounded book brief while Suitabook strengthens the analysis: some draft conclusions still depend on unresolved evidence.
Book information
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Anything not established here remains open; it is not being treated as absent or safe.
Suitabook