Ricky

Laura M. Robinson is assistant professor of English, specializing in
children’s literature, at Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario.

Ricky, an eighth-grader, loves animals. He has 29 creatures, ranging
from six squirrels to an alligator, at home. His science teacher, Mr.
Johnston, has even more animals in his class. A boa constrictor named
Bogart is one of Ricky’s favorites. Ricky is horrified when vandals
break into the school and kill many of the animals, including Bogart.
Ricky and his friend Augie devise a plan to raise money and replace
Bogart with another boa.

Ricky is a humorous and engaging page-turner. From an emotional point
of view, however, the message that Bogart can be replaced is
problematic: can one overcome grief simply by filling a gap? Still, this
is a fine book. Highly recommended.