Zink [Paperback]

Cherie Bennett (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

"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 world she never knew existed, a scary world of hospitals and blood counts and chemotherapy. Ten-year-old Becky is afraid. But she doesn't have to go through this alone . . . she's got a trio of singing zebras to keep her company! A herd of zebras from the Serengeti plains forges a special spiritual bond with Becky. They boost her spirits by telling her the story of Zink, a polka-dotted zebra with the most courage and the biggest heart. "Think Zink," the zebras tell her when things get bad. And when Becky does as they say, her soul voyages to Africa, where her imagination can run as free as the zebras.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Adapted from a play Bennett (University Hospital, reviewed below) wrote for young audiences, this uneasy mix of fantasy and realism focuses on a sixth-grader's fatal bout with leukemia. At first there are two separate threads, and the narrative jumps jarringly between them. On the grassy plains of East Africa, a herd of zebras listen to their leader tell stories of a legendary spotted zebra called Zink. Meanwhile, self-conscious Becky Zaslow is diagnosed with leukemia. The narratives merge when representatives of the zebra brood pass into the human world to visit Becky in the hospital (where only she can see and hear them). While still a patient, she is in turn twice transported to their homeland. There, though her pain disappears, she faces such challenges as escaping from a band of marauding lions and swimming across a raging river withAliterallyAa monkey on her back. The hospital scenes stand out for their authenticity, and Becky's bravery in facing cancer becomes all the more poignant as a result of Bennett's candor in setting forth the girl's ordeals. But the flights of fancy come across as a bizarre contrast, not of a piece with Becky's experience. Ages 8-12. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7-Bennett has skillfully adapted her 1998 play about a child cancer victim into a moving novel. Both the play and the book were developed from a young girl's real life and the story she wrote about a polka-dotted zebra named Zink. The story intertwines two plots: Becky Zaslow's tragic struggle with leukemia as told through journal entries and third-person narrative and the fantasy adventures of a zebra herd living on Tanzania's Serengeti Plain. Readers meet Becky, a shy sixth-grade student, as she attends Africa Day at school and is soon after diagnosed with leukemia. Meanwhile, three zebras leave the savanna and show up at the hospital; they lend Becky moral support and help her face her fears. She travels to their world and has adventures with the zebra herd. She eventually succumbs to the illness and her spirit returns to the herd in the form of the legendary Zink. The zebra plot is a little confusing at first but falls into place as the story progresses and provides a critical counterpoint to Becky's story. Bennett's vividly drawn characters and well-developed subplots (Becky's determination to participate in the school's talent show and her relationship to her younger brother) make the story even more poignant. Along the way, readers learn about cancer, Swahili phrases and sayings, and African customs. Most importantly, they learn about the uses of one's imagination and the true nature of courage. An afterword provides additional information about leukemia.
Marilyn Ackerman, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (March 13, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440228107
• ISBN-13: 978-0440228103
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #616,924 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Pages Will Open Your Heart, December 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Zink (Paperback)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Book that tell you of real life courage and bravery., April 13, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Zink (Paperback)

I've read Zink countless times since I got in the 4th grade. Every night, I sit down and go to my favorite parts of the book, and then shead a tear or two as I lay down to sleep.

Ever since I first read Zink, I started looked at my own life closer. I noticed how lucky I was to have my hair, not be sick all the time, and not always have Lukemia on my mind. This book is so inspiring for everyone. And in more ways than one. Ever since I read the book, I have been planning my own book to write about Lukemia, called Bald and Beautiful. Although no book could top zink, I think I will give my planned book a shot.

True courage is admitting that you are scared but continuing to fight. I have applied this to every day life, from math tests to track meets, riding rollar coasters to standing up in front of a bully. Every day, when I'm about to face something scary, I try to have true courage. And before I read Zink, I never knew what true courage was.

Zink is a great book that I reccmond to all my friends. I actually like how Becky dies at the end, though it is very, very, sad. Before you protest and stop reading this review, please listen to my reason. Two years ago, my best friend was diagnosed with Lukemia. And today, sadly to say, she isn't hear anymore. Not all people will live, and Zink teaches you that.

Knowing what Chemo is like, the book does a great job of telling people all the horrible, horrible details. I was with my friend almost every day when she was having Chemo, and I was right outside her room when she was having her TBR. And I remember when she got her BMT so clearly, that just reading this book brought back so many memories.

All in all, if you want a really good read, with totally real facts and plots, than Zink is for you.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Give it a chance... you WON'T be sorry., February 10, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Zink (Paperback)

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.