Rob Harrell is quite an amazing illustrator who wrote and drew the syndicated daily comic strip Big Top through 2007 and currently creates the long-running strip He has worked with some amazing clients Mad and Time, Inc. While the story is deeply moving, Harrell includes humorous cartoon panels of hero BatPig who similarly deals with treatments, missing his mum and friendships issues – just in a very superhero style way! Ross always manages to find enough hope to carry on and continuously looks to the bright or funny side of things – there are moments of course. Yet, despite all of this, there’s lots of support for Ross and new friends are made in unusual circumstances. The lowest point is when he is dubbed ‘Cancer Boy’ and is the subject of some cruel memes. When he’s forced to wear a hat to protect his skin, has a goopy eye and starts to lose his hair kids begin to give him a wide berth. He’s just one of the many kids who don’t seem to know how to react to Ross. His best friend Abby is sticking by him, but the third member of their group Isaac, has gone silent and is never around. Ross has a rare form of cancer and faces surgery and radiation therapy that may or may not save his vision or his life. After discovering an alarming lump above his eye, his life has been a series of appointments, tests and then a devastating diagnosis. Twelve-year-old Ross Maloy just wants to be a normal seventh grader but that’s not on the cards. It’s a heart-warming story about vulnerability, survival and dealing with a terrifying diagnosis.

Rob Harrell’s semi-autobiographical middle grade novel is thought-provoking and will challenge young readers.

Rob harrell books