WINK

Michael Crouch's first-person narration is spot-on as Ross endures treatment for eye cancer, plus the normal awkwardness and humiliation that come with seventh grade. Crouch manages to make Ross seem vulnerable without making him pitiful--because Ross does not want pity. He just wants to be normal. While emotionally expressive of Ross's anger and frustration, Crouch also perfectly depicts Ross's and his friends' lively humor. Especially wonderful are the illustrated interludes of Ross's alter ego, Batpig. The comic panels from the text are performed as radio plays, with Marc Thompson providing an exaggerated announcer voice and silly voices for Batpig's adversaries. Sound effects mask the occasional curse word, making this audiobook funny despite the real obstacles Ross is overcoming. S.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2020]