Wink is one of my favorite books I have read in a while. It is a book by Rob Harrell about a young boy surviving the hard life of a middle schooler with a disability. its vivid language puts the reader inside the book and makes you feel like you are experiencing the story along with the boy. Ross is a young boy who has eye cancer. Ross has to regularly go to the hospital to get surgery, and x-rays of his eye to make sure that Ross’s doctors (who will turn out to be one of his good friends), will be able to get the cancer out before it escalates to a worse stage. He also has to go to school. Which means bullies. Ross is regularly bullied for being balled at such a young age. Before his cancer, Ross had two best friends, Abby and Issac. Suddenly, right when Ross is diagnosed, Isaac decides to ghost them, because he doesn't want to be friends with the “cancer boy.” Abby stays friends with Ross throughout the whole story, which Ross is very thankful for because she helps him get through rough times. Rob Harrell uses very simple language, but it has a lot of meaning. This book shows how bullying can impact a student with a life-threatening disability as severe as Ross has. This book reminds me of the popular novel, and Netflix movie “Wonder,” because the characters in both stories have to overcome disabilities, and both rise above the bullies in the end. This book highlights the importance of thinking before you speak because Ross encounters many instances where his peers deride Ross because of his disability. Since Ross must wear a hat to hide his cancer many people make fun of him, even though they are unaware of his disability. I recommend this novel for Middle schoolers because the language is simple, yet powerful. Despite having cancer, being bullied, and falling in love with the popular girl at school, Ross still ends up as the hero. Overall, I rate this book a ⅘ because it delivers very important messages in a way meant for all ages.
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