Rick
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"Dad says I'm a late bloomer." - "Maybe. Or maybe you're blooming now, and you're just not the kind of flower he was expecting." Is there already a Grandpa Ray fan club? If not, there is now and I am head of the committee! This 'George' spin-off made me very happy! Once again, it put many queer issues (beginning with the fact that there are great alternatives to the word 'queer', which I feel most comfortable with and therefore use, but others don't and that is valid) in easily accessible terms. I feel it was a little more advanced than the language of 'George' was, so reading them in that succession would make the most sense for a kid, I believe, but the story holds its own and can be read separately. Older audiences will be able to learn from this book too! It evolves around our MC Rick starting middle school and facing many challenges. Finding his place in the world, with family, friends - old and new - and within himself. The family arc developed the relationship with Grandpa Ray the most, whilst other family members serve more as plot devices. The plot around Grandpa Ray charmed my socks off though, so I can't be all that mad about it. Rick figuring himself out and facing struggles while doing so felt very real to me. Spoiler ahead! His arc finishing off with Rick embracing himself, first and foremost, standing up for himself and a group of people that surely will be friends against somebody he wanted to hold on to, because of routine, a sense of false security and evasion of conflict - that plot line rang so painfully true. And had me crying :D Spoiler over! Our MC is aro/ace, there's side characters who are non-binary, bisexual, transgender, gay, lesbian, cross-dressing (sorry if I missed out on mentioning a rep!) and there's valuable discussions about pronouns, about accepting corrections, about believing children when they tell you who they are and more. It wasn't as perfect as George, but it still was a dang good book and will help many people out, I'm sure! Content warning for homophobia & bullying (addressed as false behaviour and followed by consequences).
Description
Book Information
Posts
"Dad says I'm a late bloomer." - "Maybe. Or maybe you're blooming now, and you're just not the kind of flower he was expecting." Is there already a Grandpa Ray fan club? If not, there is now and I am head of the committee! This 'George' spin-off made me very happy! Once again, it put many queer issues (beginning with the fact that there are great alternatives to the word 'queer', which I feel most comfortable with and therefore use, but others don't and that is valid) in easily accessible terms. I feel it was a little more advanced than the language of 'George' was, so reading them in that succession would make the most sense for a kid, I believe, but the story holds its own and can be read separately. Older audiences will be able to learn from this book too! It evolves around our MC Rick starting middle school and facing many challenges. Finding his place in the world, with family, friends - old and new - and within himself. The family arc developed the relationship with Grandpa Ray the most, whilst other family members serve more as plot devices. The plot around Grandpa Ray charmed my socks off though, so I can't be all that mad about it. Rick figuring himself out and facing struggles while doing so felt very real to me. Spoiler ahead! His arc finishing off with Rick embracing himself, first and foremost, standing up for himself and a group of people that surely will be friends against somebody he wanted to hold on to, because of routine, a sense of false security and evasion of conflict - that plot line rang so painfully true. And had me crying :D Spoiler over! Our MC is aro/ace, there's side characters who are non-binary, bisexual, transgender, gay, lesbian, cross-dressing (sorry if I missed out on mentioning a rep!) and there's valuable discussions about pronouns, about accepting corrections, about believing children when they tell you who they are and more. It wasn't as perfect as George, but it still was a dang good book and will help many people out, I'm sure! Content warning for homophobia & bullying (addressed as false behaviour and followed by consequences).