WINK

WINK by Rob Harrell

Wink is one of those amazing books that I found really hard to put down, which is why it is on my TOP BOOKS OF 2024 LIST. The story is about a seventh grader named Ross Maloy who deals with a rare form of eye cancer. It is based on author Rob Harrell's true experiences which adds a level of genuineness to the story that can't come any other way but by experience.

Ross is one of those typical kids that has been able to blend into the background of his school life so far. When he is diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer and undergoes treatments that dry out his eye and leave it constantly runny, make his hair fall out, and damage the sight in that eye, blending in is a thing of the past. Suddenly, he is the talk of the school from overwhelming sympathy to nasty cartoons someone is posting on social media. He just wants to go back to being "normal," but that is no longer an option, so it's time to find something that gives him an out. He turns to music and ends up forming a rock and roll band. Through that medium he is able to deal with the highs and the lows that the cancer is throwing his way. This book is a really great read and helps us realize the need that kids going through this have for understanding, but at the same time, as much normal as we can possibly give them. I highly recommend this book!

HEADS UP- There are a couple items to discuss. First there is a little bit of junior high crassness. For example, Ross draws comics and he creates the character "Bat Butt" which gets him sent to the principal's office. He then turns it into "Bat Pig." There are two places where you know profanity is being spoken, but it is expressed by symbols ( *!$# ). Band practices are held at a friend's house and while they wait the dads ask if they can have a beer.