Author Jeff Henigson takes full advantage of the opportunity to narrate the funny, frequently bittersweet story of his teenage battle with brain cancer and the life-changing journey that arose from it. Henigson manages to project the wistfulness, angst, and fear of a 15-year-old whose biggest hope morphs from wanting to launch a rocket with his dad to hoping to survive cancer. Listeners will relate not only to Jeff’s dream but also to the relationships he has with his soft-spoken and supportive mother and his stern and gruff father, who remains unable to relate to a wish granted by the Starlight Children’s Foundation for Jeff to travel to the U.S.S.R in the name of world peace. E.J.F. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

A sweet but unsentimental account of a truly fascinating nuclear childhood. Henigson had me at ‘Gorbachev.’” —Gary Shteyngart, New York Times bestselling author of Little Failure and Lake Success

“An inspiring story of a teen fighting to save his life while also trying to save the world. Touching, vivid, full of humor and heart, Warhead shows what is possible when we refuse to accept a diagnosis of despair.” —David Ebershoff, bestselling author of The Danish Girl and The 19th Wife
 
“Jeff Henigson’s incredible true story is both global and personal. Warhead is about the battle all teenagers face as they struggle to carve a place for themselves in a world they did not create—but one that desperately needs them.” —Maya Van Wagenen, author of Popular

"Readers will root for him...even as Jeff navigates hormonal impulses, a thrilling trip to Moscow, and the looming threat of cancer, we are anchored by the deep affection for his mother and desperate yearning for fatherly love. It’s a tale well-told—always gripping, often heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting. A useful story about navigating matters of the heart in times of personal—and global—crisis." —Booklist

07/01/2019

Gr 7 Up—Henigson's heartfelt and funny memoir captures his tumultuous teenage years during the Cold War. At 15, he survived a bike accident, experienced seizures for the first time, and was diagnosed with brain cancer. While undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, Henigson did his best to put on a brave face for his anxious mother, emotionally distant father, and best friend, Paul. In a cancer support group meeting, Henigson learned that many of the other teens had their wishes granted by the Starlight Children's Foundation, which could grant his wish, too. After giving it much thought, he decided on a wish he hoped would make his father proud—to travel to the Soviet Union and talk peace with Premier Mikhail Gorbachev. While met with resistance, Henigson was able to make the trip alongside the Youth Ambassadors of America. His time there was life changing. Despite not being able to meet Gorbachev, the author formed friendships with both American and Soviet teens, was interviewed by Soviet media, and had an invaluable conversation with famous scientist Dr. Evgeny Velikhov. After returning to the States, Henigson faced additional struggles. He felt his parents were disinterested in learning about the trip, and his closest friend from the cancer support group passed away. The book is filled with many painful memories but still peppered with humor throughout. VERDICT Henigson's strength, passion, and conviction will inspire readers. A unique and informative addition to any high school or YA biography collection.—Jess Gafkowitz, Brooklyn Public Library

Author Jeff Henigson takes full advantage of the opportunity to narrate the funny, frequently bittersweet story of his teenage battle with brain cancer and the life-changing journey that arose from it. Henigson manages to project the wistfulness, angst, and fear of a 15-year-old whose biggest hope morphs from wanting to launch a rocket with his dad to hoping to survive cancer. Listeners will relate not only to Jeff’s dream but also to the relationships he has with his soft-spoken and supportive mother and his stern and gruff father, who remains unable to relate to a wish granted by the Starlight Children’s Foundation for Jeff to travel to the U.S.S.R in the name of world peace. E.J.F. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

2019-03-27
A cancer survivor looks back on how personal and family issues affected his diagnosis, treatment, and aftermath.

Though debut author Henigson does go over the discovery of his brain tumor in 1986 at age 15 and the symptoms, surgery, ensuing courses of chemo and radiation, and then a quixotic journey to Moscow, thanks to the Starlight Children's Foundation, in hopes of discussing nuclear disarmament with Mikhail Gorbachev, the fuel powering his narrative is a blend of smoldering anger at his cold, distant father, weary acceptance of his mother's emotional dependence, and wrangles with adolescent libido and depression. Consequently, and notwithstanding worthy views on the arms race and a cogent insight that "battling" cancer is an invidious metaphor ("I wasn't one of the combatants. I was the battlefield"), he comes off as a self-centered and not particularly reflective teen more interested in grinding axes against his neurologist, a certain unsympathetic teacher, and, most particularly, his dad than in offering comfort, coping strategies, or even reassurance that he ultimately found ways of moving past his anger. His account cuts off abruptly with his entry into college and an exclamatory letter of praise from a Russian fan.

Cancer fiction with young characters abounds, but memoirs are rare—so it's unfortunate that when one does come along, it's neither particularly current nor much more than self-therapy. (Memoir. 13-18)