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I was on the hunt for middle-grade humor books when I stumbled upon Wink by Rob Harrell. Yes, I am approximately 35+ years past “middle grade”. Hey, I like wholesome, lighthearted humor. Is that so wrong?
Wink provided that wholesome humor I was looking for. But lighthearted? Wink follows Ross Maloy, a 7th grader dealing with typical middle school drama — friendships, crushes, bullies, and just trying to fit in. Oh yeah, and eye cancer. So “lighthearted” might not be the first word I’d used to describe this book. There are undeniably heavy themes throughout. But it was also surprisingly fun, uplifting, and indeed funny.
My Wink book review:
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Wink Book Summary
Wink by Rob Harrell follows Ross Maloy, a seventh grader who’s been diagnosed with eye cancer. As he navigates the challenges of treatment, he also faces the usual middle school dilemmas: bullies, awkward friendships, and the struggle to fit in.
Ross finds comfort in his sense of humor, his newfound love of music (ROCK AND ROLL!), and his imagination. That imagination manifests in the hilarious BatPig comics that offer a lighthearted escape from his tough reality. He learns to deal with his fears, embrace his quirks, and finds strength in unexpected places and connections.
The book balances serious topics with humor, making it an engaging and relatable read for middle-grade readers (and 50-year-old Dads.) Ross’s story isn’t just about surviving cancer—it’s about finding resilience and navigating the typical difficulties of growing up.
With its unique blend of graphic novel illustrations and heartfelt text, Wink is both entertaining and meaningful.
Who is author Rob Harrell?
Rob Harrell is a writer, illustrator, and cartoonist. He got his start in comics with Big Top, a syndicated comic strip about a circus run by animals. He later gained recognition with Adam@Home, a long-running newspaper comic about a work-from-home dad. His knack for balancing humor with relatable characters carried over seamlessly into his career as a middle-grade author. (Ross in Wink is totally relatable.)
Along with Wink, Harrell has also written the Batpig series (a comedic superhero spinoff from Wink.) He also wrote and illustrated Monster on the Hill, a graphic novel set in an alternate 1860s England where monsters terrorize and entertain the townsfolk. Monster on the Hill was adapted into the 2021 animated movie Rumble.
Find Rob Harrel here: robharrell.com
Here’s a great, short preview of Wink, by the author himself!
Now onto the rating! Wink Book Review:
My innovative system for rating humor books is explained here
Wholesomeness Score: 4/5
While Wink is a heartfelt and uplifting book, it does tackle tough topics like bullying, struggling to fit in, and of course, cancer. These are indeed mature themes, but the book handles them in a way that’s completely appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Harrell balances the heavy moments with humor and comic-style illustrations. It’s an honest look at a difficult situation but not overwhelming or too heavy for a middle school audience.
Hilarity Score: 4/5
The book has plenty of humor, thanks to Ross’s sarcastic, self-deprecating thoughts and awkward middle school moments. His interactions with friends, classmates, and even his well-meaning but sometimes clueless dad add to the fun. The BatPig comic interruptions sometimes provide an IN-YOUR-FACE blast of humor that’s hard to ignore, despite any drama and heaviness in that section of the book. BatPig (Ross’s superhero alter ego) brings a goofy, over-the-top contrast to his real-life struggles.
While it’s not a nonstop joke fest (given the serious subject matter), the humor is woven in naturally. It keeps the story light without downplaying its emotional depth.
Overall Book Awesomeness Score: 5/5
Wink is a funny, uplifting, and an all-around fantastic read. Harrell masterfully balances humor and deep, serious content. Ross’s journey becomes both engaging and deeply relatable. The book’s honest portrayal of illness, friendship, and resilience makes it meaningful—especially for kids (or adults) facing similar struggles. It’s the kind of book that sticks with you, delivering laughs while also offering comfort and encouragement.
Things I liked:
- BatPig alter-ego interruptions
- Rock and Roll (Middle School style)
- Authenticity – Ross’s struggles felt real, without being overly dramatic
- Uplifting message for kids (and adults) struggling with health issues…or any issues, really
Things I didn’t like:
- I listened to the audiobook, and while the BatPig breaks were masterfully interjected and voiced, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing out. After seeing the BatPig comic examples, I realized just how much the visuals add to the experience. Maybe I need to grab a physical copy to get the full effect!
Conclusion: Wink Book Review
Wink by Rob Harrell is a funny, heartfelt, and surprisingly uplifting read. It’s not just a story about a kid with cancer; it’s a story about resilience, friendship, and finding critical mental and physical outlets in tough situations. The mix of Ross’s sarcastic inner dialogue, the BatPig comic interruptions, and the middle school drama makes this a darn funny read. While the audiobook offers a great experience, the physical copy is likely the way to go if you want the full BatPig visual experience.
Middle grade humor is the best! It only took me 35+ years to figure that out. Let me know in the comments if you have any suggested middle grade reading for me.
Scott Johnson is a Midwestern humorist, author of Essays Out of Left Field, and the mind behind scottjohnsonauthor.com. He’s also a husband, dad of three, and Data Systems Administrator (whatever that is). Scott is on a mission to find and read all the funny books. He shares his thoughts on those books, author life, and other delightful randomness with his readers on his website.
