Rick is Alex Gino’s follow up to Melissa. I’m not sure if you need to read them in order. I didn’t. I read Rick first. Now that I’ve read both for the Trans Rights Readathon, I think it probably does make sense to read in order as Rick references at least one scene from Melissa, and it informs you on how other kids react to Rick. 

That being said, Rick is a cute book. It follows the title character starting middle school and learning things about who he is. 

I appreciate how Gino portrays the way Rick feels whenever he’s asked about girls or whenever someone jokes with him about liking girls. Our reasons might be different, but I remember hating those questions and comments when I was his age and even older. This is the first book I’ve read with asexual and/or aromantic representation and I liked it. It’s a cute story and I love that this book is available for preteen readers. 

I also like that Gino shows Rick’s growth in terms of who he chooses to be friends with. Choices like that are not always easy to make and Rick clearly struggles. Something else I’m able to relate to going through.