“I’m lying on a steel table, all too aware of the giant ray gun pointed in my direction.”

From Rob Harrell’s Wink.

On top of all the craziness that seventh grade brings normally, Ross has it even more so because he’s dealing with cancer, too. What started as a swollen eye in July was quickly discovered to be cancer in his right eye, and kicked off a crazy cancer-fighting regiment for Ross, his dad, and step-mom. Ross tries his best to keep up with the terms, appointments, procedures, constant get-well-wishes, and the impending loss of vision in his right eye while fighting to maintain an as-normal-as-possible friendship with his closest friends, the hilarious Abby and the suddenly-elusive Isaac. School is also made rougher by trying to speak with his crush, Sarah, avoiding the tough, quick-tempered Jimmy, and ignoring the pity from everyone else. Ross’ diagnosis has allowed him to meet new people though, like Frank the music-loving radiation tech, and an elderly fellow radiation patient, Jerry. One constant relief that Ross has through everything are the doodles and Batpig comics that he draws, but when he begins taking guitar lessons, Ross finds another unexpected release. When a mystery bully creates and circulates a series of mean memes about Ross, he begins to struggle with not only finding the bully, but also what not beating his cancer might look like. As his cancer fight brings more and more challenges, Ross finds out who his friends really are, and how to cope with his diagnosis in the best possible way.

Harrell manages to create a story that, while intense in subject matter, is funny and unique. The scattered illustrations help lighten the mood and keep the main character open and endearing. While written for preteen readers, Wink manages to create a moving story that readers of all ages will enjoy.