Zink

by Cherie Bennett

Book Overview

"Inspired by an actual child's life and writings, this tale of a young leukemia victim will elicit both tears and laughter."-- Booklist, Boxed Becky Zaslow's leukemia diagnosis has introduced her to a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0440228107
• ISBN13: 9780440228103
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Yearling Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Give it a chance... you WON'T be sorry.

I first read this book when I was twelve. A year later I'm re-reading it for the fourth time. No matter how many times I read this book, I get touched on the inside. Even if you haven't had any experience with leaukemia or haven't had anybody you know have it, you will love this book. At first it seems for a lower age level, but the more you read the deeper you get pulled into these character's lives and the more you feel for this ten year old girl (did I mention that this is based on a true story?) and her zebra "family". It may seem childish that there are singing zebras in it, but what's really happening is that these creatures are taking Becky into her imagination and helping her to become bolder to face her deadly disease mentally. And the end... oh my gosh... the part where her family is with her at home, telling her that they gave her permission to leave them forever, to die. I cried the first time I read that part (and let me tell you, not much can make me cry!) and every time since I have had to restrain the tears. She goes into her imagination and lives with her zebras, finding the courage in herself. She had grown so much as a person since she had gotten leaukemia, it just makes you look at your life and really question what you're making out of it. It's a cliche, I know, but you really have to look at yourself and try to get the best out of life. I know this book is geared for kids a little more, but teens and even some adults can get a lot out of it. Whether you know someone with cancer or not, you will LOVE this book. And you will be happy that you gave it a chance. This is just so emotional, and gives everyone hope, knowing that death is not the end.

Zink- Dianna's Review

Zink was a book that very well touched my insides. Becky found out early in the story that she had gotten a cancer called, Leukemia. She was very scared while she was in the hospital receiving chemotherapy. Becky was all alone and frightened. Then, the Z'bras started showing Becky their own world. Everyone else thought that she was hallucinating but she was really having the best time of her life. Becky didn't have to think about needles, sicknesses, or shots while she was in the Z'bras world. It was like those horrible things didn't even exist. Becky played games with the Z'bras and just relived her life with them. Sadly, in the end of the story, Becky died. The happy side was that she was finally going home. The author, Cherie Bennett, was very thoughtful in this book. She thought about others. Cherie actually wrote this book after finding an one-paged story that a girl wrote about zebras. Sadly, this girl died from cancer too. Thanks Cherie for thinking of others.

The Pages Will Open Your Heart

Zink is my favorite book. I've read it 16 times already! It's about this girl who usually doesn't stand up for herself in school. Then she's diagnosed with cancer and had to go through a scary experience. But along the way, she had a herd of zebras in her imagination to help her. The zebras taught her bravery and many of life's lessons. She gets bolder and learns to stand up for herself towards the end. The ending is sad, but I liked the epilogue. It fit into the story, and it's nice knowing that we can still help and contribute in this world when we're no longer here. ZINK has taught me a lot about life and bravery and being scared. I love this book.

Sweet, Tear-Jerking Book

this book portrays ten year old Becky, a small, shy girl with a fondness for zebras. She is learning about Africa one day in school when suddenly, she faints and is sent to the hospital. There, she learns about her disease-cancer. As Becky struggles to understand this, far off in Africa, some talking, dancing zebras (plus one green monkey who THINKS he's a zebra) are also fighting for their lives-but from a very different predetor. Lions. The wisest and oldest of the zebras send three of the best singing and dancing to the human world-Becky's world. There they try to comfort Becky in her struggle. However, she's the only one who can hear them.In this beautiful novel with a makes-you-wail ending, I learned a lot about cancer, zebras, and the human spirit.

Zink

Sixth grader Becky Zaslow battles leukemia but her spirit is set free as she integrates all that has happenend in her life to create an imaginary parallel world. She has been studying Africa in school and while in the hospital befriends zebras who have arrived to provide comfort and inspiration. They, too, are fighting for their lives from predators, just as Becky is from leukemia. They teach her that she is not her body, but is her imagination, spirit, and feelings. Although the subject is at times painful, there is comic relief in the zebras humorous dialogue and behavior. The simple, expressive, and endearing illustrations were drawn by children who have been touched by cancer in some way. The luminous book jacket presents Becky and her inner world. Information about leukemia is provided in the afterword, and the prologue brings a sense of immediacy to the story by providing photos of children who have experienced cancer. A Swahili glossary is also included. The author has a very realistic take on the social scene of middle school, as well as family relationships, and is able to delve into the feelings of Becky to create a multilayered, compelling book of raw emotional honesty that is deeply moving and unforgettable.