Wink – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Wink

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2019

92%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Middle school is a circus, especially when you’re the kid with eye cancer and a permanent wink. Ross Maloy deals with it using a guitar and a superhero pig.

Wink

book

2019

92%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Middle school is a circus, especially when you’re the kid with eye cancer and a permanent wink. Ross Maloy deals with it using a guitar and a superhero pig.

4.7

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4.7

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Where to Read

Amazon

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Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

Wink is a total win. It’s one of those rare books that manages to be about a 'heavy topic' without feeling heavy-handed or boring.

Rob Harrell uses his own experience with eye cancer to tell a story that is genuinely funny, occasionally gross, and deeply human. It’s a fast read thanks to the comic inserts, making it a great pick for kids who usually struggle to finish a standard novel.

Ignore the 'Wink' dating app results you might see online—this book is pure gold for the middle school demographic.

Age Fit

Best for ages 9 to 13. It’s perfect for the 'Wonder' or 'Smile' crowd—kids who are starting to navigate more complex social hierarchies and want stories that feel 'real.'

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Ross Maloy’s journey through middle school with a rare eye cancer is handled with incredible heart and zero sappiness. It models genuine resilience and the messy reality of friendship without being a 'lesson' book.

Imaginative

The inclusion of Rob Harrell's 'Batpig' comic strips throughout the book provides a unique, creative window into Ross’s internal world and coping mechanisms.

Safe

It's a middle-grade novel. Aside from some realistic middle school bullying and the clinical (but not gratuitous) details of cancer treatment, it’s entirely safe for the target age.

Enriching

It’s a masterclass in empathy. It teaches kids how to treat people who are 'different' or sick without being patronizing, and it celebrates finding an outlet through music and art.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The 'Batpig' comics aren't just filler; they're a hilarious and relatable look into a kid's survival strategy.
It’s a 'cancer book' that doesn't feel like a 'cancer book'—it’s actually funny and avoids being a total tear-jerker.
The punk rock subplot is a great touch for kids who feel like outsiders or need a creative outlet.
It captures the specific brand of middle school awkwardness perfectly, from the bad memes to the shifting friendships.

⚠

What to Watch For

Middle schoolers can be brutal; there’s a plot point involving a very mean viral meme made at Ross’s expense.
The medical details (radiation treatments, eye goop, hair loss) are realistic and might be a little intense for very sensitive or squeamish kids.

Conversation Starters

"If you were Ross, would you have forgiven Sarah or Abby for how they acted?"
"Why do you think Ross draws Batpig instead of just telling people how he’s feeling?"
"What's the difference between someone being 'nice' because they feel bad for you and someone being a real friend?"
"How do you think you’d handle it if everyone at school was staring at you for something you couldn't control?"

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