At 15, Jeff Henigson was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Thirty years later, he has written his story in the voice of his 15/16-year-old self, made possible by the diaries he began writing shortly before receiving the devastating news and with the recollections of friends and family. Warhead isn’t just another teen cancer story, however. It is a testament to his strength and maturity, a glimpse into the impact of the Cold War arms race on a sensitive teenager, and a sad commentary on life with a cold, distant father whose love and approval he was so desperate to earn.
Following months of surgery, chemo and radiation, Jeff joined a teen support group for the opportunity to talk and socialize with fellow cancer patients. Monique, a leukemia sufferer who became a dear friend, suggested that Jeff make a wish to the Starlight Foundation, something that would bring him joy. Instead, he requested a trip to the Soviet Union in the hopes of meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev to discuss nuclear disarmament because this was a topic that both he and his father were passionate about. The foundation arranged for Jeff to join the Youth Ambassadors with the hope that a meeting could be arranged. However, rather than supporting his wish, his father was adamantly against him taking additional time away from his studies. Jeff’s argument was that he might very likely not be around to even graduate. So, once he received a clean bill of health, he was cleared to travel. Little did he anticipate that his story would have such a profound impact on young people in both the USSR and at home.
As the current upper school librarian at his alma mater, Polytechnic School in Pasadena, CA, it was my pleasure recently to attend a reading and reception with Jeff. He went into some detail about his cancer struggle, the depression he fell into (that is not emphasized in the book), and the impact of the trip, but it was his strained relationship with his father that really caught my attention. When an audience member asked if he’d found joy as a result of his wish, he said that he had not given that his primary motivation was to earn his father’s approval. He also talked about the current precarious state of our world and how, although the Cold War is over, the lessons of history haven’t been learned. I am eager to see how young adults, the target audience for this book, will respond to his touching story. Although it’s a YA book, adults will find it compelling as well. I highly recommend that high schools and libraries that cater to teens purchase this book and that teachers, counselors, and anyone else who works with teens use it as a springboard for discussions ranging from mental health to stewardship of the Earth.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Delacorte Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Following months of surgery, chemo and radiation, Jeff joined a teen support group for the opportunity to talk and socialize with fellow cancer patients. Monique, a leukemia sufferer who became a dear friend, suggested that Jeff make a wish to the Starlight Foundation, something that would bring him joy. Instead, he requested a trip to the Soviet Union in the hopes of meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev to discuss nuclear disarmament because this was a topic that both he and his father were passionate about. The foundation arranged for Jeff to join the Youth Ambassadors with the hope that a meeting could be arranged. However, rather than supporting his wish, his father was adamantly against him taking additional time away from his studies. Jeff’s argument was that he might very likely not be around to even graduate. So, once he received a clean bill of health, he was cleared to travel. Little did he anticipate that his story would have such a profound impact on young people in both the USSR and at home.
As the current upper school librarian at his alma mater, Polytechnic School in Pasadena, CA, it was my pleasure recently to attend a reading and reception with Jeff. He went into some detail about his cancer struggle, the depression he fell into (that is not emphasized in the book), and the impact of the trip, but it was his strained relationship with his father that really caught my attention. When an audience member asked if he’d found joy as a result of his wish, he said that he had not given that his primary motivation was to earn his father’s approval. He also talked about the current precarious state of our world and how, although the Cold War is over, the lessons of history haven’t been learned. I am eager to see how young adults, the target audience for this book, will respond to his touching story. Although it’s a YA book, adults will find it compelling as well. I highly recommend that high schools and libraries that cater to teens purchase this book and that teachers, counselors, and anyone else who works with teens use it as a springboard for discussions ranging from mental health to stewardship of the Earth.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Delacorte Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
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