A giant ray gun is pointed at Ross’ head which is tied down to prevent movement. Ross is receiving another radiation treatment for his incredibly rare mucoepidermal carcinoma of the lacrimal gland – cancer in the gland above his eye.

He has multiple treatments ahead, and although they don’t hurt, they leave him with a stinging eye and often headaches too.

This treatment is something Ross wants over and done with. He hates being treated any differently at school, just wanting to be normal. His best friend Abby has been along for the bumpy ride of diagnosis, surgery and now treatments, and Ross sees her as his rock. Another friend of theirs was Isaac, but he’s distanced himself from them both with no explanation.

Ross is coping with everything fine until some nasty death-related memes featuring him, surface online. He’s devastated, wondering why anyone would do something like that, and most importantly what his classmates actually think of him. Are they all laughing behind his back? Again, Abby helps him through this.

Each time Ross attends his appointments, a nurse (Frank) chats him through it, also playing music to distract and calm him. This music changes over time, eventually playing Frank’s own band’s music, which Ross really enjoys. In the waiting room Ross also meets Jerry, an elderly patient that soon becomes another new friend.

Another bomb shell hits Ross’ life. Abby is moving – a long way away. For the first time they clash, each with their own worries for their futures. Abby is scared of a new school, new friends, a new life. Ross is worrying whether he’ll even have a future.

But when a talent quest to wind up the school year before Christmas is announced, Ross has an idea. It involves his nemesis Jimmy Jenkins, a girl he’s liked forever, music, and payback for the vicious memes.

A story of a boy with eye cancer, based on the author’s own experiences. A full bag of emotions are explored as Ross journeys through them. Fear, embarrassment, anger, and frustration. With the help of those around him he finds release, fun, laughter and pride.

Ross is also a talented artist and cartoonist (as is the author – see here), and his story is also told in comic strips through the chapters, with a character he’s created – Batpig!

There are also small illustrations scattered among the pages, showing the memes, and random things he’s thinking of as he tells us his story in first person. Funny, warm and thought provoking. Be kind to those going through tough stuff, even if you don’t understand it.

Author / Illustrator – Rob Harrell

Age – 10+

Teacher’s Notes here

(Funny, Music, Guitar, Cancer, Empathy, Friends moving, Radiation therapy, Proton, Step mum, Band, Talent quest, Self Esteem, Sick, Illness, Family)