Rick

Rick by Alex Gino (April 2020) is a middle grade contemporary fiction LGBTQIAP+ novel about an incoming sixth grader, Rick Ramsey, navigating a new school and an increasing awareness of his asexual/aromantic identity. Along the way, he creates new and changing relationships with family, friends, and himself. Rick, Gino’s third book, has “been named one of Kirkus Reviews [sic] Best Middle Grade Books of the Year and the University of Pennsylvania […] Graduate School of Education Best Books for Young Readers” (“Rick.” Alex Gino). Alex Gino (they/them, Mx.) is a genderqueer author of middle grade LGBTQIAP+ stories, and they have lived in New York, California, and (currently) Massachusetts. They have “been an activist and advocate for LGBTQIAP+ communities since 1997,” have co-led the now-Queer Student Alliance at the University of Pennsylvania, have “served on the board of NOLOSE, a fat-positive, queer, feminist organization […] [, and] are currently a member of We Need Diverse Books and PEN America” (“Bio.” Alex Gino). Gino’s first novel, Melissa (published as George until April 2022), has been banned for its positive depiction of a transgender protagonist.

Rick explores the contexts of the history of cosplay, LGBTQIAP+ history, and asexuality/aromanticism; the themes of Unconventional Versus Mainstream, Transition and Identity, and Friendship and Letting Go; and the symbolism of Rogue Space as secret bond, hobbies as comfort, and video games as dark cosplay.

This guide refers to the 2020 Scholastic Press edition.

Content Warning: The novel contains depictions of anti-gay and anti-trans bias through language and vandalism; this guide references this bias.

Plot Summary

Rick Ramsey is facing a period of transitions. His older siblings have left for college, and he is about to start sixth grade at Jung Middle School. He is relieved to still have his best friend, Jeff, but even that relationship feels different because both Jeff and Rick’s father have begun making comments about girls’ attractiveness (or boys’), but Rick has no such feelings. Instead, he learns that a girl Jeff thinks is cute was a former victim of Jeff’s bullying in elementary school. She now goes by Melissa. (Rick keeps Melissa’s transgender identity a secret.)

As the school routine settles, Rick learns about the school’s LGBTQIAP+ club, Rainbow Spectrum. Although he is initially hesitant (and afraid of Jeff’s anti-gay reaction), Rick secretly attends and encounters a diverse group of accepting folks, including Melissa and Ronnie, one of Rick’s classmates. Ronnie, who has observed Jeff’s toxic behavior and Rick’s bystander role, is suspicious of Rick. He questions both Rick’s motivations and his friendship with Jeff, but he keeps Rick’s secrets. The students in Rainbow Spectrum hold a talent show cabaret to raise money for the LGBTQIAP+ section of the school library. Rick, who has a talent for spinning quarters, remains afraid of Jeff and does not sign up to perform even though he wants to. It is also at Rainbow Spectrum that Rick learns about the term “asexual,” and later “aromantic,” and begins to wonder if those identities might fit him.

At home, Rick is also given a new commitment—Sunday visits with Grandpa Ray. Rick is reluctant; his widowed grandfather is basically a stranger, but once Rick learns that Grandpa Ray is a fan of Rogue Space (Rick’s favorite science fiction show), they quickly bond. Rick also opens up about his worries about school, especially Jeff. Grandpa Ray dislikes Jeff’s behavior.

At school, Rainbow Spectrum makes posters to advertise the cabaret. Jeff makes Rick stand watch as he defaces the posters. Jeff also gets a group of students—including Ronnie—into trouble at lunch. Rick dislikes Jeff’s behavior, but he is afraid to stop him. Ronnie disapproves. Rick grows more comfortable with his asexual identity, but he remains closeted.

Rick’s older sister returns home from college for the weekend. They were once close, but Rick notices that she has changed. He tries to come out to her, but she brushes him off. Rick is hurt. After she leaves, he comes out to Grandpa Ray, who accepts Rick and shares a secret of his own: He and his late wife used to cosplay as Rogue Space characters at conventions. Moreover, Grandpa Ray, who identifies as a cisgender heterosexual man, likes cosplaying as women. Rick is surprised at this new information and is curious about this side to Grandpa Ray.

Back at school, Rainbow Spectrum creates new posters. Jeff tries to burn them in the bathroom. Rick stops him, and as they argue, he ends the friendship. He is distraught, but Ronnie comforts him and accompanies him to report Jeff to the principal. Ronnie invites Rick to the cabaret dress rehearsal and adds Rick’s quarter spinning to the lineup. Afterward, both Melissa and Ronnie offer Rick overtures of friendship.

At home, Rick surprises Grandpa Ray with an invitation to attend a convention together in cosplay. Grandpa Ray tells Rick to call him “Gamma Ray” when he is in feminine attire. Rick agrees enthusiastically; the convention is a smashing success. Rick’s parents don’t understand the appeal (nor do they understand Rick’s identity when he tries to come out to them), but they promise to try to be open-minded in the future. As for Cabaret Night, the performances—and Rick’s quarters—are a huge hit.