Ronnie Riley’s debut novel, Jude Saves the World is a joy filled story about Jude, a child who shares their beautiful spirit with the world.

Jude is unapologetically non binary, secure in their identity and a fierce friend to those they care about. They are out to those closest to them but still working on telling a few key members of the family, namely their grandparents. Jude’s best friend is Dallas. They are deeply connected. When Stevie, a popular girl, is dropped from her group, Jude and Dallas embrace her and welcome her into their duo immediately. Things are a little unstable. Between Jude’s grandparents not being aware of their identity, Dallas’ parents constantly fighting and Stevie’s reluctance to let Jude and Dallas really in there is conflict throughout the story.

What struck me the most throughout this whole story was the incredible empathy with which Ronnie Riley writes. The deep friendship between Jude and Dallas is so compelling and beautiful. I have never experienced such a deep connection in a book before and it is so wonderful to see in a middle grade offering, where often deep feelings are there on the surface but not explored in depth. 

It is incredibly powerful that right from the beginning Ronnie Riley lets readers know that the book is a safe space. Since Jude is non binary, they are only referred to by their preferred pronouns and their name, never deadnamed on the page. The reader does know that they are deadnamed in their reality as the author bolds their name when it happens so that the readers can understand the hurt and the anger that Jude is feeling in those moments.

What stuck me particularly was the inclusion of so many intersectionalities in the story. All of the characters felt fully developed and have been given solid identities instead of being relegated to the role of a sidekick. There are characters of colour, characters who are neurodivergent, LGBTQIA2S+ characters, characters who are young and old. There is discussions about gender roles and what friendship should look like and feel like.

Every parent could read this book. Sure it’s written for middle grade readers but there are SO MANY adults who could benefit from a story like this. There is a moment in the story where Jude describes their feelings about their coming out to their mother. As adults we often think we are saying the right things, the supportive things, but our words don’t necessarily come across that way. It’s such an important lesson for us all to understand how our reactions, even our positive reactions, could be felt. If you don’t experience the same things as Jude, it takes learning and understanding.

Jude’s story is one of strength but, even though there is conflict and hurt, it’s joyful. There is discussion about different identities and sexualities in a beautiful and inclusive way. Ronnie Riley even includes a queer glossary at the end of the book for readers to learn more about the identities discussed within the story. Jude comes up with the idea of a safe space club at the local library so that others in their small town have a place to go and be authentically them and that’s what this whole story feels like; a safe space for every reader.

I couldn’t have loved this story more and truly believe that this is a book for all young readers. For those who identify with Jude and their friends and for those who don’t to gain a better understanding and empathy for people in a world not often built for those outside the binary.