Seventh grader Ross barely has time to wrap his mind around being diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer before beginning eight weeks of daily radiation therapy after school. Ross is mortified by some of the side effects of treatment, from hair loss to eye droop to the droopy goop he has to apply, not to mention the impact on his vision. The looks of pity he gets from some kids at school don't help, nor does avoidance from others, including best friend Isaac. His other best friend, Abby, is steadfast, but also has found out her family will be moving away. When memes implying he's near death start circulating at school, Ross suspects rough-around-the-edges classmate Jimmy is behind them, but has no proof. Outside of school, Ross has been learning guitar from Frank, his radiology technician. The two bonded over music during Ross's treatments, and Ross has found music an incredible outlet for his intense feelings. It turns out Frank knows Jimmy, a drummer, and suggests the two boys pair up to perform in the school talent show; Ross wants to enter to impress Sarah, a girl he has a crush on. Author Rob Harrell had the same kind of cancer as Ross, and the physical and emotional impact of the illness on Ross, who is white, as well as the reactions of those around him, including his parents (dad and step-mom), feels incredibly real in a story as full of wry humor as honesty. (Ages 10-13)

A hilarious and heartwrenching story about surviving middle school--and an unthinkable diagnosis--while embracing life's weirdness.

Ross Maloy just wants to be a normal seventh grader. He doesn't want to lose his hair, or wear a weird hat, or deal with the disappearing friends who don't know what to say to "the cancer kid." But with his recent diagnosis of a rare eye cancer, blending in is off the table.

Based on Rob Harrell's real life experience, and packed with comic panels and spot art, this incredibly personal and poignant novel is an unforgettable, heartbreaking, hilarious, and uplifting story of survival and finding the music, magic, and laughter in life's weirdness.