Wink

One of my favorites, Wink is so funny, moving, and deeply personal. The main character, Ross, is diagnosed with a rare eye cancer (based on the author’s own experiences) and deals with that as well as a myriad of other issues (bullying, a crush, a best friend that’s moving away). What I love most is the character development. I swear I’ve met the same quirky people you’ll find in this book. There’s so much feeling poured into the story. There are also funny comics and rock music. What could be better?

Wink is a novel loosely based on author/cartoonist Rob Harrell’s experience getting a rare eye cancer as a boy. His character Ross Malloy just wants to be a normal middle school kid but can’t because of a bald head and a squinty eye that requires endless goop and attracts all kinds of attention. In some ways, bearing the painful radiation treatments proves easier for Ross than dealing with a friend who no longer acts like one. The cartoon illustrations of Ross’s alter-ego—the brave BatPig—add to the story’s energy and buoyant, bright spirit. 

Wink opens as Ross, a seventh grader, is about to start radiation treatment for a cancerous tumor in his eye. Oh, no, you’re saying, I don’t want to read about that! But you really do. Rob Harrell amazed me with a first-person narration and drawings that are engaging and creative and funny! Ross is almost as concerned about not being seen as a dork as he is about getting through the pain and fear of cancer. He has loving parents and caring adults around him, but it’s music that finally lets him triumph over some mean—very mean—classmates, and… show more.