Jerry Spinelli - Wringer

Pros: Appeals to pre-teen boys, a Newbery Honor book
Cons: Some parents and children might find the pigeon-killing a little disturbing

Palmer laRue had the misfortune to be born in Waymer, a town whose Family Fest ends with a barbaric tradition. Thousands of pigeons are gathered or purchased, only to be released and shot on Pigeon Day. Men of the town compete for the Sharpshooter's...

Pros: Extremely well-written, great moral lesson
Cons: detailed accounts of pigeon shootings are dark and depressing; especially in Palmer's dreams

When Palmer LaRue turns 9 years old, he is thrilled to realize that he has been "accepted" into the gang of neighborhood boys he's idolized for some time. Beans, Mutto, and Henry come to his party, bring him really gross gag gifts, and make...

Pros: absorbing, able to be understood on many levels
Cons: a bit intense for younger or more sensitive readers

I found I couldn't put "Wringer" down easily. When I DID put it down, I found myself thinking about the book as I went about my business, trying to predict the plot as well as considering the questions raised by the actions of the characters....

Pros: Totally engrossing tale with a moral issue
Cons: Some necessary violence

Newberry Medal winner Jerry Spinelli has written a powerful tale in the Newberry Honor Book "Wringer." It is the suspenseful tale of a nine-year-old boy who dreads the coming of his tenth birthday. The local rite of passage for ten-year old...

Pros: Author has good details
Cons: graphic, gross details

A young boy caught in a dangerous situation. He lives in the wrong town and has the wrong friends. “Wringer” is a compelling story about a town who despises pigeons. But at the same time, in that town, lives a young boy who doesn’t have the hatred for...

Pros: Positive message, short chapters to keep the readers interest, well written
Cons: some violence (the shooting of pigeons)

As a teacher I was unsure, at first, what to expect from Wringer. I had heard of the violence, and knew it had even been pulled from some of our district's library, but after hearing from a few sixth graders what a great book it was, I decided to read...

Pros: Inspiring, well written, believable characters
Cons: Possibly a little morbid

In Jerry Spinelli's 1997 Newberry Honor winning book, you meet Palmer LaRue, who is turning nine years old. His new friends christen him with a disgusting nickname and he finds himself accepted for the first time. In Palmer's hometown, there's a special event in which the town's boys may participate after they turn 10. While the rest of the boys in town cannot wait for their 10th birthday, Palmer dreads the passing of the days. You spend the year with Palmer. I fell in love with this thoughtful, well written character. He makes a new friend quite accidentally and all of a sudden his young life is filled with even more fear and dread. I don't know how to tell about this book without giving up the end.