Wink

By: Rob Harrell

Narrated by: Michael Crouch, Marc Thompson

A hilarious and heartwrenching story about surviving middle school—and an unthinkable diagnosis—while embracing life's weirdness.

Ross Maloy just wants to be a normal seventh grader. He doesn't want to lose his hair, or wear a weird hat, or deal with the disappearing friends who don't know what to say to "the cancer kid." But with his recent diagnosis of a rare eye cancer, blending in is off the table.

Based on Rob Harrell's real life experience, this incredibly personal and poignant novel is an unforgettable, heartbreaking, hilarious, and uplifting story of survival and finding the music, magic, and laughter in life's weirdness.

Critic reviews

ALA Notable Book
ALSC Notable Book
Barnes and Noble Children’s Book Award Finalist
TIME Best Book of the Year
NYPL Best Book for Kids
NPR's Book Concierge Pick
Evanston Public Library Great Books for Kids
A Texas Lone Star Reading List Selection
2021 ALSC Notable Children’s Books List

"Harrell's genius is making all of it feel authentic for a seventh grader, a teenager who, like countless others, just wants to be normal . . . Bodies change, people change, life continues. It's a lesson a lot of us have been learning, and relearning, in recent days." —New York Times Book Review

★ "Filled with the same sardonic humor and celebration of atypical friendships as his Life of Zarf series, Harrell draws from personal experience to track the wild emotional roller coaster a seventh-grader rides after being diagnosed with a rare tear duct cancer.” —Booklist, starred review

★ "This page-turner is not to be missed." —School Library Connection, starred review

★ "Amusing black-and-white comics trace his unsavory experiences, capture the ironies of his predicament, and underline his creativity and sense of humor . . . This lively novel showcases the author’s understanding of middle school angst amid the protagonist’s experience with a serious illness." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"The author balances this anger element well against the typical middle-grade tropes . . . While some of these elements will feel familiar, the novel's emotional climax remains effectively earned . . . Not your typical kid-with-cancer book." —Kirkus

"The story’s beauty lies in how Ross’s life unfolds and opens . . . This title is delightfully good and different. Highly recommended." —School Library Journal

Heartwarming

A story you wish every middle schooler could read. Realistic, wholesome, and friend focused. Truly a sweet coming of age story, where kids learn to let others in and not make everything about themselves.

What a journey!

Enjoyed this immensely. What a great journey with the main character as he navigates the challenges that life throws at him. Had me rooting for him the whole time and I loved how it ended. Great, great story and the narrator was excellent.

i had to read this for school

it was ok insted of reading it just just got the audio book instead the book was ok

Not just for middle schoolers

Loved this audio book. Middle school is tough enough without throwing cancer, therapy, side effects, bullies, and best friends moving away into the mix. My favorite part was the talent show with Ross giving way to wild abandon. Great distraction during the covid-19 stay at home rules. I'm a grandparent, so this book isn't just for middle schoolkids.

We love this book!

Such a good story and cute characters. Very engaging. We will absolutely be listening again!