Blink & Caution

Boy, did Blink get off on the wrong floor. All he wanted was to steal some breakfast for his empty belly, but instead he stumbled upon a fake kidnapping and a cell phone dropped by an "abducted" CEO, giving Blink a link to his perfect blonde daughter. Now Blink is on the run, but it’s OK as long as he’s smart enough to stay in the game and keep Captain Panic locked in his hold. Enter a girl named Caution. As in "Caution: Toxic." As in "Caution: Watch Your Step." She’s also on the run, from a skeezy drug-dealer boyfriend and from a nightmare in her past that won’t let her go. When she spies Blink at the train station, Caution can see he’s an easy mark. But there’s something about this naïve, skinny street punk, whom she only show more wanted to rob, that tugs at her heart, a heart she thought deserved not to feel. show less

When I was in Austin giving a presentation to librarians about homelessness and libraries, I stayed at a very nice hotel. When I arrived, I was going over my notes. I was tired and my mind began to wander and I began daydreaming about being homeless and trying to gain employment in a hotel. I did not know about Blink & Caution at the time. When I went to the convention floor, Candlewick began touting Wynne-Jones’ book. When I told Tim that I was doing a presentation on homelessness, he grabbed a copy of his book, autographed it, thanked me, and presented it to me. Later that night I began reading:

“But not this day, Blink. You’re good to go.
Just don’t hurry and, Christ, don’t gawk like you’ve never seen the inside of a hotel show more before.
But, oh, look at this lobby, will you? Drink it in. You want to skate across it, so shiny wide. Look at those urns with the exotic plants stuck in them and those chairs just sitting around on the thick carpet discussing important matters. Keep the jitters pressed way down your empty belly. Stroll like you’re heading up to room…pick a number—with your left hand holding on to an imagined key.
No one asks. No one cares. In the Blessed BU, you are a guest.” (p. 5)

This could very well be the winner of this year’s ESP Award, which is the Ed Spicer Personal book award for the title that comes closest to matching my homeless experiences as a teen. Blink’s voice is absolutely spot-on!

Blink is a homeless, runaway teen with a facial tic that gives him his name. Just like my daydream, Blink is living by stealing food from hotels. Caution is attempting to escape the clutches of an abusive boyfriend who is a drug dealer. When Caution meets Blink, she initially plans to play him for the sucker she thinks he is. Blink has accidentally witnessed a staged crime, a kidnapping, that is the hot story in the Toronto media. Obsessed with puzzling out this mystery, Blink and Caution travel out of Toronto and quickly run into problems, BIG problems. Caution and Blink quickly realize that they will need to work together, drawing on their varied and extensive street experience, to have any hope of finding a life. What works in this book is the very distinct and very honest voices of Blink and Caution. Wynne-Jones treats his characters with respect; I especially notice the fact that much of the success that these two characters have is BECAUSE of who they are and not in spite of their economic circumstances. Too often books feature homeless youth who overcome the obstacles of poverty and, AFTER THIS, grow, as if the only way to belong and contribute to society is with a home. In this book, the characters have a lot going for them already. The homelessness is a detail, much like one might describe hair color or clothing worn. The constant paradox of emotion is very familiar to me and very accurate. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants ONE story, one EXCELLENT story, of what it may feel like to be homeless (but don’t forget that there are MANY stories of homelessness). Recommended for high school libraries; please also direct this book to school social workers and counselors. show less

Publisher's blurb: " All Blink wanted was to steal some breakfast for his empty belly, but instead he stumbled upon a fake kidnapping and a cell phone dropped by an "abducted" CEO. Now Blink is on the run. Enter a girl named Caution, also on the run, from a skeezy drug-dealer boyfriend and from a nightmare in her past that won’t let her go. When she spies Blink, Caution can see he’s an easy mark. But there’s something about this naive, skinny street punk that tugs at her heart. Charged with suspense and intrigue, this taut novel trails two deeply compelling characters as they forge a blackmail scheme that is foolhardy at best, disastrous at worst — along with a fated, tender partnership that will offer them each a rare chance show more for redemption." (Booktopia)

My comment: Street kid Blink stumbles across a "fake" (?) kidnapping in a hotel and after stealing money, a phone and a photo of the "kidnapped" CEO's daughter from his wallet soon finds himself in a lot of trouble -especially after answering the phone and speaking to the girl to let her know her father is alright. Caution is a drug courier runaway who is too street wise for her own good. On the run from a drug dealer she has stolen cash from, she visits someone from her unspeakable past (she accidentally shot her brother dead) but then learns some things about her brother she didn't know. Trying to clear her head to process this new information, she collides with Blink and becomes embroiled in his mess.
Wynne-Jones has created the worlds of these two petty criminal/street kids very well with excellent back stories to show how they have both ended up on the streets. Their lives are contrasted to the rich CEO's daughter and her "first world problems" Loved the end when the two main players come together - very suspenseful. Thought the plot was also resolved very well.
This is for older readers due to the drugs, violence and also hint that Caution has been using sex for a roof over her head. show less

I really enjoyed the beginning half of this book following the two struggling characters living in the city. The alternating perspectives worked perfectly. Caution had a backstory where I got bits and pieces that kept me wanting to read on. What I most enjoyed about the book was the inner voice of Blink describing his actions and life. It was demeaning yet effective, as a street kid might feel because he is down and out with his life. I felt like the story kind of slowed down when the two characters actually met. They had a playful relationship with each other that developed into much more, but overall I was hoping for a more riveting ending considering all the buildup in the storyline. It was a good story and it was nice to read a show more standalone book, but the end wrapped up a little too quickly. show less

I really enjoyed the beginning half of this book following the two struggling characters living in the city. The alternating perspectives worked perfectly. Caution had a backstory where I got bits and pieces that kept me wanting to read on. What I most enjoyed about the book was the inner voice of Blink describing his actions and life. It was demeaning yet effective, as a street kid might feel because he is down and out with his life. I felt like the story kind of slowed down when the two characters actually met. They had a playful relationship with each other that developed into much more, but overall I was hoping for a more riveting ending considering all the buildup in the storyline. It was a good story and it was nice to read a show more standalone book, but the end wrapped up a little too quickly. show less

Reason read: it's about time, been on the shelf since 2019. This is a free book from audioSync Summer program which no longer exists. This one was on overdrive before they switched to SORA. I can't say that I really liked it. I liked the whole idea but I did not like that this book that is marketed to children contains explicit language and sexual content. The story is about two traumatized youth trying to survive life. It is set in Toronto and the wilderness of Ontario. It includes content environment, indigenous peoples, capital greed, guns that kill for social commentary. I also found fault in a comment made about finding the Mississippi which is not anywhere near Canada or that part of Canada. The story had potential but the above show more mentioned items decreased my enjoyment. show less

I really enjoyed the beginning half of this book following the two struggling characters living in the city. The alternating perspectives worked perfectly. Caution had a backstory where I got bits and pieces that kept me wanting to read on. What I most enjoyed about the book was the inner voice of Blink describing his actions and life. It was demeaning yet effective, as a street kid might feel because he is down and out with his life. I felt like the story kind of slowed down when the two characters actually met. They had a playful relationship with each other that developed into much more, but overall I was hoping for a more riveting ending considering all the buildup in the storyline. It was a good story and it was nice to read a show more standalone book, but the end wrapped up a little too quickly. show less