Wink

Surviving school one wink at a time.

Wink is a heartfelt story about a boy called Ross, who finds his world tipped upside down when he is diagnosed with an extremely rare and devastating form of eye cancer. Not only does he have horrific treatment to deal with and the impending loss of eyesight but one of two best friends – Isaac has peeled himself away. Known as the cancer kid is bad enough but then Ross is thrown another curve ball when he is informed that he must wear a hat at all times: in the car, school and the classroom. Things take a turn for the worse and Ross must face the ever growing issues of cyber taunting that is apparent in today’s modern world of evolving technology.

Ross just wants to blend in but now that seems impossible, he is delivered the devastating news that it is not only his hair he will lose, but his eyesight. In both eyes. Ross’s world begins to spiral out of control as he faces the facts – will he lose his life to cancer like his mum? As he tries to shut out the harrowing events from school that haunt his every waking moment he turns to music. With the help of his hospital technician Frank, he escapes, if only momentarily, in the rhythm.

Why blend in when you were born to stand out.

Wonder, R J Palacio

An avid doodler, Ross’s alter ego Batpig spatters Wink with cartoon, comic-strip flare to lighten the mood, making this book ideal for children and adults alike. I found close links with Wonder by R J Palacio and felt this book would support PSHE themes, focusing on self-acceptance, friendship turmoil and escapism. It is hard enough navigating your way through the battlefield that is high school without a life-threatening illness added to the mix. I am in the midst of creating a Reading Well section in my school library and Wink will be the perfect addition. I would highly recommend that EVERYONE read Wink and feel strongly that it should appear on all KS2 reading spines. It is a heart-warming book written for children and the underlying messages are worth extending to all.

Author Rob Harrell wrote Wink based on his own experience of rare eye-cancer. This semi-biographical novel takes very real middle-school life and throws it in the blender. Join Ross and Batpig on an adventure as they navigate their way through this labyrinth that life has thrown them. Will the doctors and radical proton beam radiation be able to save Ross’s eyesight?

Wink is available for purchase here from 31st March 2020. Review copy sent by Piccadilly Press

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