Nick and the Brick Builder Challenge

The Infinity Rainbow Club #1

by Jen Malia, Peter Francis (Illustrator)

When the Infinity Rainbow Club at school competes in a brick builder challenge, Nick can't wait to participate! Until he learns he must have a partner--the new girl. Nick wants to work alone. But to win, he'll have to figure out how to be part of a team. A story about the universal struggle of learning to work together on a team, told from the perspective of an autistic child. The Infinity Rainbow Club is a chapter book series featuring five neurodivergent children in a club at their elementary school. The club provides a safe space for stims and different communication styles to be accepted and celebrated.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder

126 pages, Paperback

Published September 26, 2023

About the author

An autistic mom of three autistic kids, Jen Malia is the author of the children’s chapter book series The Infinity Rainbow Club and the picture book Too Sticky! Sensory Issues with Autism. She is Professor of English and Creative Writing Coordinator at Norfolk State University. She has written for or appeared on the New York Times, the Washington Post, New York Magazine, NPR, Parents, Glamour, Woman's Day, and others. She has a Ph.D. in English from the University of Southern California and is pursuing an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Originally from Pittsburgh, she currently lives with her husband and three kids in Virginia Beach. You can find her on her website JenMalia.com

Reviews

[Ava F · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great chapter book series featuring 5 different neurodivergent kids! In this one it’s about a boy named Nick who’s autistic. I found his character to be very relatable to me. He struggles to work as a team especially with a new kid, but he has to for the brick builders competition! I really liked this one and can’t wait to read the next one.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Infinity Rainbow Club highlights and centers characters with neurodiversity. In this book, fourth-grader Nick is used to experiencing the world differently than a lot of his classmates. He enjoys spending time in the sensory gym, appreciates his special education teacher, and practices his coping skills when his environment is frustrating for him. Malia does an excellent job of showing the readers Nick's world through Nick's eyes. The result is excellent representation for kids who have similar feelings as Nick. Kids who don't have autism or neurodivergence will enjoy this book, as well. Working with a partner, sharing friends, meeting new people, and getting along with siblings are relatable to all readers, and readers with autism may particularly relate to Nick's struggles in these departments.

This book offers insight into which everyday occurrences can become obstacles for Nick. Autism is a spectrum, and manifests differently in different people. This book offers a look into what can become an obstacle for Nick while also showing other kids with autism and kids with other types of neurodivergence, and how varied each experience is.

There's so much I love about this book, from the wonderful characters to the great representation to the tools shown for helping a loved one when they're experiencing a struggle. The tender moments between Nick and his mom, sisters, dad, fellow students, and teachers demonstrate ways to be supportive to a neurodivergent friend without ever feeling message-y or like a 90s sit-com trying to teach a lesson. Each interaction is organic, shows character growth, and isn't perfect.

Neurotypical readers will walk away with a better understanding of how neurodivergence can impact their friends and family, and readers with neurodivergence will find accurate representation.

The illustrations that are sprinkled throughout support the story and make it less intimidating for younger readers. These black and white illustrations add to the story in a lovely way.

I'm thrilled about this series! It offers such a nuanced look at what daily life with neurodivergence is like. The emphasis of the plot isn't only on Nick's autism, but rather on him as a whole character and his growth-- not just as someone with autism, but as himself.

[Erin Gazica · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 11-year-old son enjoyed this book. He is slightly older than the target age range so it was a little challenging to review. But the positives were that the conflict was well written and the subject matter was engaging. He is a huge fan of Lego, spends countless hours creating his own contraptions and building his own worlds. We watch the Lego Masters tv show as a family and he really enjoys seeing the challenges the contestants face and how they work through their conflicts and problems. I think a lot of kids can identify with Nick’s brick building challenge, so it was exciting to see that play out in book form. As a parent I am always looking for opportunities to expose my children to books with characters from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, beliefs, abilities, etc. I was glad to find a neurodiverse main character in Nick, who my son had more in common with than he first realized. As he was reading, his 8-year-old sister stole the book and began reading it too. I would recommend this book to any young fan of brick building and reading!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a lovely new series of chapterbooks for young readers! Whatever their own family background, every kid reader will empathize with Nick's frustration as he faces overwhelming social challenges, because his inner feelings are so powerfully conveyed - and those readers will cheer for him in the really satisfying ending, too.

I really wish this book (which was written by an autistic author) had been around when my own autistic kid was the right age for it - that empathetic (and triumphant!) representation would have meant so much to both of us. It provides SUCH a strong contrast to the deeply other-ing (and very upsetting for autistic kids) portrayals we read in the books we found when he was first diagnosed.

I buddy-read my ARC copy with another neurodiverse kid who IS the right age for it, though, and they absolutely loved it, too. This was their review: "It was hilariously funny, and I loved the ending!"

Highly recommended.

[Johanna Peyton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of The Infinity Rainbow Club chapter book series for young readers. This story follows Nick, an autistic fourth grader, in and out of school as he is prepares and participates in a brick builder challenge. As a master brick builder, the real challenge for Nick is having to work together with Ruby, the new girl. Nick prefers to work alone but in order to win, he’ll have to figure out how to work as a team.

Written by an autistic author, this book layers authentic representation with relatable childhood situations and feelings. It is a predictable yet highly enjoyable read. And most importantly, it gave me a glimpse into a world that I otherwise wouldn’t be privy to. I am thankful that this book exists as a window and a mirror for all children (and adults).

*I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fourth-grader and I loved Nick and the rest of the Infinity Rainbow Club kids. With Malia's keen insight into the inner lives of autistic kids, readers are carefully guided through the emotional ups and downs, sensory experiences, and social challenges that affect Nick, an autistic fourth-grader, both at home and at school. Nick is an endearing character with expressive human emotions and a brain buzzing with brick builder designs. I loved how Malia celebrated Nick's individual creativity, while also using it as a source of conflict as he struggled to include a new student, Ruby, in his builds. Grown-up and child readers alike have much to learn from Nick's modeling of emotional-regulation techniques, teamwork strategies, and, my personal favorite, how to give a very heartfelt apology. We can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series!

[Kirsten Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jen Malia is an autistic author who writes about autistic characters. Nick is an autistic boy who helped create the Infinity Rainbow Club for himself and other kids like him. They get to take sensory breaks throughout the day and they have an after-school club where they build bricks. A brick building competition is coming to town and the Infinity Rainbow Club kids team up to compete in it. Nick has to make a new friend, work with a partner even though he likes building by himself, and work at being kinder to his sisters. This was a great read that had an entertaining plot and also showed how a child with autism may think. I would highly recommend this title to any reader. I am glad there are more books in this series coming up!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel fortunate to have discovered this amazing new series about an inspiring group of children who, in the words of a favorite teacher, have “brilliant buzzing brains”! Tools such as fidget toys, breathing techniques, wobble cushions, and sensory gyms are introduced in a matter of fact fashion, as the main character, Nick, undertakes the challenge of his life—not just to create a prize-winning brick build, but to work as a team with a new child in the class who needs friendship and respect more than anything in the world. How they work together to achieve their common goals is a wonderful story for all children who are striving to find their place in a welcoming community. I’ll be keeping a lookout for the next book in the series—there’s even a teaser at the end of this one!

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored Nick, his family, and his friends. I connected with Nick and know all readers will too as he struggles to share what he loves to do with others. Nick's character arc feels so natural and just right as he learns to let others experience the same world in their own individual ways and even though others' ideas and abilities aren't the same as his, Nick learns to accept them as valid and good. The adults in this novel are so loving, understanding, and patient. This novel deals with tough subjects for some people, such as making new friends, accepting changes, and admitting wrong/asking for forgiveness as well as forgiving others. I can't wait to read Violet's story and then Conner's next.

[Robin Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Engaging read that celebrates neurodivergence!
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2023
I'm always looking for chapter books that aren't too overwhelming for my little guy. This one is perfect. It has plenty of pictures and white space, and is a fun, engaging story. . Even better, Nick is part of The Rainbow Infinity Club where all the kids are neurodivergent and he has to learn how to work with a partner, and a new girl, at that. It's a fun read that has me excited for book number 2. Nicely done, Jen Malia!
I got it for my son with a lego set for his birthday. It's a great gift for the builder in your family.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jen Malia's first chapter book is an absolute DELIGHT. This new series highlights neurodiversity and will help kids who relate to the characters, and kids who see similarities to these characters in their peers, alike. Some things I loved about this first book in the series: Nick's character was incredibly authentic. I love how he was able to solve problems and get through challenges. There were tender, heartfelt moments between him and those who loved him most, laugh-out-loud funny moments, and more. Overall, a very fun read and a great kickoff to what is sure to continue to be a very important, and very sweet, chapter book series!

[Jennifer Raudenbush · Rating 5 out of 5]

NICK AND THE BRICK BUILDER CHALLENGE from the new Infinity Rainbow Club series is a delight. Kids will enjoy accompanying fourth grader Nick on a fun challenge, along with a cast of ethically diverse and neurodiverse kids. Malia's story is very well-written and engaging, giving us a real sense of each character and their particular neurodiverse issue. Kids will read for the fun story, but also gain a better understanding of their real-life friends. The illustrations are fantastic and really give you a sense of being there with the kids in the story. I highly recommend it for chapter book readers!

[Karen Goodno-McGuire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series & I'm really excited to read more. As a mom of two neurodivergent kids, I'm constantly wondering, "what are they thinking" and "why are they doing that/behaving that way." This book helps answer those questions by placing you, the reader, into the mind of the autistic child as he interacts with his family and people at school. I found it very powerful and I'm excited to have my 10 year old read it. I think this could really start a conversation about her behavior--it's a door opening book!

[Meg Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! The Infinity Rainbow Club sounds like an amazing neurodivergent utopia—I wanna join! I love that the first book in the series shows Nick learning how to work with others and grow in being thoughtful of those around him. As an autistic person, I really relate to Nick’s desire to work on his own, and his struggle to work together and see other perspectives. But this is such a critical life lesson, and one that author Jen Malia handles with such care, and in a perfect way for a chapter book reader. I’m excited to read more! I wish I had books like this as a kid. Highly recommended!

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the concept of a club "where kids who feel different are accepted and celebrated." Each book in this series will feature a different neurodiverse main character which I am so excited to see on kidlit bookshelves.

NICK AND THE BRICK BUILDER CHALLENGE features an autistic mc who not only rises up to the brick bilding challenge, but also the challenge of meeting (and making space for) new people and learning how to work together as a team.

I'm so excited for this series!

[Kathy Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I loved this book. The main character is such an endearing boy. I felt like the portrayal of autism was authentic and accurate. This would make a great gift for any child. If I had had this as a kid It would have been a game changer in helping me understand my autistic friends. I also appreciated the representation of other neurodiverse children including dyslexia.

[Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like how Nick’s attitude about certain things changed throughout this story. He was able to look at things from others’ perspectives which made him a better Lego builder. I’m glad I read the last half in one sitting; that’s definitely the way to read this. I think this is a great introduction to chapter books for younger kids and I definitely want to read more from this series!

[Kaz Windness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulously fun and neurodivergent affirming, written by the "Too Sticky" Dr. Jen Malia, an autistic parent to an autistic kiddo-- she gets it, and you should get this book. Recommend!

[Lindsey Rowe Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a neurodivergent family, we absolutely love the author's picture book, TOO STICKY! and now as my kids get a little older, this is such a great next reading level book series for us to dive into!!