Rob Harrell’s Wink is both funny and poignant as 7th grader Ross Maloy deals with a rare form of eye cancer. Ross would rather be a low-key kid in middle school, but his cancer makes him stand out – he has a squinty eye, a funny hat, funky eye ointment, and the effects of radiation such as hair loss and rough redness on his face Ross deals not only with the standard insensitivities cancer patients often encounter but a student in his class is posting awful memes about his illness. Despite this, Ross’s father, stepmother, and his best friend Abby help him cope with his treatments, bullies, and loss of friends, and try keep the serious diagnosis from overwhelming him (and at times it does). During his treatment, Ross develops other friendships with his radiation tech/guitar teacher and another cancer patient who understand his cancer in a way his own peer group cannot.

All the supporting characters add depth to the story and help Ross discover that music and friendship can see him through the dark times and his insecurities. Ross and Abby have a great friendship and Ross is a strong character that is also self-effacing – I think this is a strength of the novel. Rob Harrell’s own experience with cancer gives Wink a genuine feel and a platform for middle grade readers to talk about illness, empathy, and compassion without being overwhelmed by a heavy tear-jerker. ( )

A bit slow to start but a great story about a kid in the midst of cancer treatment. Harrell doesn't skimp on the icky details which makes the health stuff ring true in a way most books for middle grade don't manage. Highly recommended but I would have liked an author's note clarifying how much of the tale is autobiographical. ( )

From the back cover: "...this is a heartbreaking and hilarious story of survival and finding the music, magic, and laughter in life's weirdness."

This was a fun read, despite the topic 'cancer'. Harrell mixes his own experiences with eye cancer into a fictional tale of a kid that goes through a period of cancer treatment, losing friends, being bullied on, but on the other hand sustained friendship with his best friend, making new friends, discovering music and playing music. Some emotional bits, but plenty of humorous and entertaining parts, too. Well written, easy to read, nice kind of humour, and I also love the sentiment that "normal" isn't necessarily something you need to aim for. ( )