Wringer

by Jerry Spinelli

Palmer LaRue is running out of birthdays. For as long as he can remember, he's dreaded the day he turns ten -- the day he'll take his place beside all the other ten-year-old boys in town, the day he'll be a wringer. But Palmer doesn't want to be a wringer. It's one of the first things he learned about himself and it's one of the biggest things he has to hide. In Palmer's town being a wringer is an honor, a tradition passed down from father to son. Palmer can't stop himself from being a wringer just like he can't stop himself from growing one year older, just like he can't stand up to a whole town -- right? Newbery Medal winner Jerry Spinelli's most powerful novel yet is a gripping tale of how one boy learns how not to be afraid.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Animals, School

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

When Jerry Spinelli was a kid, he wanted to grow up to be either a cowboy or a baseball player. Lucky for us he became a writer instead.

He grew up in rural Pennsylvania and went to college at Gettysburg College and Johns Hopkins University. He has published more than 25 books and has six children and 16 grandchildren.
Jerry Spinelli began writing when he was 16 — not much older than the hero of his book Maniac Magee. After his high school football team won a big game, his classmates ran cheering through the streets — all except Spinelli, who went home and wrote a poem about the victory. When his poem was published in the local paper, Spinelli decided to become a writer instead of a major-league shortstop.

In most of his books, Spinelli writes about events and feelings from his own childhood. He also gets a lot of material from his seven adventurous kids! Spinelli and his wife, Eileen, also a children's book author, live in Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Lars Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe my third time for this one, and I've upped my opinion a bit. I had previously found Spinelli's premise a little unrealistic, giving him the opportunity to make some possibly overbearing moral points.

Palmer LaRue dreads his upcoming tenth birthday. He wants to fit in with a small gang of rude boys who bully the girl who is his neighbor and erstwhile friend. On his next birthday he will become a 'wringer,' one of the boys who snaps the necks of wounded birds at Waymer, Pennsylvania's annual Pigeon Day shoot.

Surely, I thought, nothing like pigeon shoots has happened in recent years. Spinelli must have conflated and inflated in order to condemn.

However, it really happened. For 66 years, Hegins, Pennsylvania (obviously the model for Spinelli's fictional Waymer) held a Labor Day pigeon shoot where more than 5,000 birds were killed. Proceeds from the event built and maintained the town's park, just as with Waymer. Young children called 'trappers' were recruited to dispose of pigeons who remained alive after being downed by birdshot, just as in Waymer, while large crowds cheered them on.

Protests led to the end of the event in 1999 ('Wringer' was published in 1997), but killing birds released from traps in sporting contests is still legal in Pennsylvania. A court order in 2002 finally prohibited children under 18 acting as agents of euthanasia.

Knowing all that certainly added to my involvement in 'Wringer,' but the book also is wonderful for the gift Spinelli has of capturing just how kids and their parents think and act. There's a great moment where Palmer's mother lets him know she is aware of the pigeon he has befriended and which lives in his room:

'"Did you really think you could keep your mother out of a room in her own house?"

'Actually, yes, he had thought so.'

That is so real! Likewise, Spinelli accurately and sweetly portrays the lovely kind of friendship that can exist between a boy and a girl who are nine. Dorothy is a strong, marvelous character. For that matter, so is the pet pigeon, Nipper.

Highly recommended.

[Ja · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was unique and captivating. It's definitely intended for younger kids, but it's still good all the same. Similar to another of Jerry Spinelli's books, Stargirl, it tells young readers that they don't have to give in to peer pressure. If they don't feel something is right, they need to voice their opinion. This is an important idea to instill at a young age in preparation for teenage-hood, kids need to know that they don't have to follow the crowd, even if it seems as if they're the only one.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the fact that it rarely shows up on humane-education lists, if I could suggest only one book promoting humane values, it would be Wringer.

Obviously inspired by the infamous Hegins Pigeon Shoot, Spinelli weaves the story of a young boy who faces an incredible dilemma: will he follow the path of his peers and become a “wringer” of the necks of injured birds at his town’s annual pigeon shoot, or will he stay true to his values and the wayward pigeon he’s adopted as a pet?

The book is told from the perspective of Palmer, a boy who has just turned ten—a milestone he has been dreading. That’s the age when all boys in his town are expected to begin participating in the pigeon shooting event by dispatching wounded birds. The neighborhood crew of adolescent boys—who can best be described as Palmer’s “frenemies,” make things even more difficult for him. And then add into the mix Palmer’s mental struggle over befriending an unpopular, picked-on girl and his desire to protect Nipper, his pet pigeon.

From a humane standpoint, there’s so much to like about this book: major themes addressed include bullying, peer pressure, cruelty to animals, staying true to one’s self, and societal expectations. The characters are realistically depicted; both adults and juvenile readers will find something to take away from Wringer. It is an excellent starting point for discussion, especially in a classroom setting.

The fact is, Palmer’s dilemma is repeated every fall by countless children in rural America. Hunting is typically introduced to children at an early age; and it’s a safe bet to say that a certain percentage of those children are not thrilled at the thought of taking animals’ lives. The introduction into the hunting culture often comes with “traditional” practices like shooting squirrels—or it may come with a contest pigeon shoot like that featured in “Wringer.” (The aforementioned Hegins shoot was held annually for 64 years before ending in 1998; pigeon shoots still occur at private gun clubs throughout Pennsylvania to this day .) I had to laugh at the angry reviewers on Amazon who were aghast at the book’s violent references and found the entire idea of a pigeon shoot unbelievable. As someone born and raised in the heart of hunting country, I knew the book as something else—honest, and above all, realistic.

And after a tidal wave of books in which children upend the systems of adults, I was pleased and relived to finally see a down-to-earth ending. Call me a cynical adult, but I’ve come to the conclusion that media that put all the burdens of heroism on children’s shoulders simply make for dispirited kids. Without giving away too much, the ending is uplifting, but believable.

This would be a wonderful book to share in an upper-elementary or middle-school classroom, especially those in rural areas. All students—whether avid or reluctant hunters, or dedicated nonhunters—will find something to relate to in Wringer. It just might encourage some debate, thought, and questioning as well—something humane educators always like to see.

[Amber Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Wringer” is a Newberry Honor contemporary fiction novel that would be appropriate for students in upper elementary or middle school. This novel is about the struggles that a young boy, Palmer, faces when he does not agree with an annual event that is held in his town. Palmer lives in a town that has a Pigeon Day, to raise money for the community’s park. Participants in Pigeon Day have the opportunity to shoot pigeons as they are released in groups of five. The “wringers” are ten year old boys who must run onto the field and wring the necks of the birds that were only stunned, not killed, when they were shot out of the sky. He and his friends cause trouble among the town and torment a neighbor girl of Palmer’s named Dorothy. When a pigeon knocks on his window outside his bedroom, Palmer begins feeding the bird and letting it into his room each night. The only person that Palmer believes he can confide in his friend Dorothy as he must hide his new pet “Nipper” from his other friends. Eventually Palmer turns ten and goes to the “training” on how to be a wringer. Palmer becomes determined to protect Nipper and in the end Dorothy releases the pigeon outside the town in order to save his life. Pigeon Day comes and Palmer goes to watch, although he refuses to be a “wringer.” After talking to Dorothy, he eventually figures out that Nipper is probably one of the birds that is going to be released and he is determined to save his pet and take Nipper home with him.

I read the “Wringer” for my banned/challenged book. It has been challenged because of the central theme which is wringing the pigeons’ necks. Although this book has been challenged, I still think that is would be a good novel for students to read. I do not think I would ever teach this novel, have activities over it, or use it in a literature circle, but I see no problem with students being able to check it out from the school library to read on their own time. This book provides readers with some important points. It is about a young boy who does not give into peer pressure and stands up for himself when everyone else is determined to follow the town’s rituals. I think it is important students realize it is alright to stand up for what they believe in if they know what is happening is wrong!

[Kaion · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing that Jerry Spinelli really seems to capture well about children—their experience of a larger-than-life world. The ecstasy of a snow day. The stinging annoyance of a neighbor being called a 'friend. The blunt hungry yearning for acceptance.

In Maniac Magee, this hyper-reality took the form of the mythic. In Wringer it's visceral, our protagonist's dread of turning ten:
'In his dreams he looks down to find his hands around the neck of the pigeon. It feels silky. The pigeon's eye is like a polished shirt button. The pigeon's eye is orange with a smaller black button in the center. It looks up at him. It does not blink. It seems as if the bird is about to speak, but it does not. Only the voices speak: 'Wring it!' '

In Palmer's town, on the last day of Family Fest, thousands of pigeons are released from cages as live targets in a sharp shooting contest. At ten, he will join the ranks of the 'wringers', the boys responsible for snapping the necks of 'one-point' wounded pigeons. Palmer is turning nine. Palmer is out of birthdays.

As it's been well noted, but not nearly often enough, the Pigeon Day of Wringer is clearly modeled on the live pigeon shoot held in Hegins, Pennsylvania every Labor Day until protests shut it down in '99. (Live pigeon shoots are still legal in PA.)

On its own merit, Wringer is already a tightly suspenseful, claustrophobic novel: full of wonderful character moments and observational gems that build on its examination of peer pressure. But the truth behind the fiction sort of makes me wonder... maybe we do live in hyper-reality and as adults we've often just gotten too desensitized to see it.

Palmer's voice seems to warn us himself: "He would come to it without having to pedal or run or walk or even more a muscle. He would fall smack into the lap of it without doing anything but breathe. In the end he would get there simply by growing one day older." Maybe we need exaggeration —maybe we need fear— to remind us how important it is to not be resigned to the wrongs of the world. Rating: 4.5 stars (Reread July 15, 2009)

[Barbara (The Bibliophage) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading this along with my 10 y.o. granddaughter, who has a school project about it. I love the way Spinelli uses language—perfect illustrations for the literary concepts she's learning like alliteration and metaphor. And the story‘s message is solid. It's an anti-bullying, animal protecting, be yourself kind of story.

But it centers around a town that kills 5000 pigeons once a year. I found that very hard to read about for 200 pages, especially as the main character gets closer to one particular pigeon. Honestly, it's just so horribly cruel.

Thankfully, the main character is 10 years old and very opposed to this whole pigeon shoot thing. Along the way, he learns how to judge who his true friends are.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cleanliness:

Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 5 Incidents: dumb, shut up, stupid, phooey
Name Calling - 13 Incidents: dumb, stupid, hoodlums, Fishface (all throughout book), Sissymiss! Girlbaby!, pooper
Religious Profanities - 1 Incident: Gee

Attitudes/Disobedience - 11 Incidents: A boy is a sneak and a troublemaker but a boy befriends him even though his mother doesn’t like it. A group of boys pick on a girl, calling her Fishface, throughout the entire book. The main character, out of a desire to be part of the “gang,” picks on her too but stops towards the end of the book. (Prevalent). A boy lies to get out of doing things. (Prevalent). A boy thinks of what his mother told him and disregards it, doing what he wants to do instead. A boy speaks disrespectfully to a lady. A boy pretends to be asleep. A boy sneaks out of his room at night to walk in the streets with his friends. He knows his parents won’t like this. A boy hides a pigeon in his bedroom for months, afraid to tell his parents. He lies constantly to cover up this fact, to his parents, teacher, friends. (Prevalent). A boy sneaks a book out of the library. Boys prank a house by putting a dead muskrat that they microwaved on a neighbor’s doorstep. A boy lies to his teacher, wanting to get in trouble so he says he spit on the floor. When the kids in class hear of it, they idolize him.

Romance Related - 10 Incidents: A boy asks his mom to start knocking before entering his room. The mom says: “And you’re a boy and I’m a girl, and you’re getting too big for girls to see you in your underwear, even if the girl is your mother.” A boy and girl are often alone in the boys room.
A girl kisses a boy on his nose. A boy explains the reason for his bad behavior is “puberty.” A boy takes off his shirt. A girl squeezes a boy’s finger. A boy grabs a girl’s shoulders roughly. Mentions a boy’s rump. Mentions a pigeon’s breast feathers. Mentions a pigeon’s breast feathers.

Conversation Topics - 3 Incidents: Mentions a cigar butt. Every year on their birthday, to show they’re tough, boys receive “The Treatment.” Their arm is repeatedly punched until black and blue. It’s an initiation/ bragging right that only the cool/tough boys can endure. (Prevalent). Mentions Halloween.

Parent Takeaway
The main character in the story does not have a lot of character. He often gives in to peer pressure and does wrong/dumb things with his "hoodlum" friends - friends he knows his mother dislikes. Among the things the boys do is tease a neighbor girl. Eventually the main character secretly becomes friends with her (secretly so that the other boys won't know and will still be friends with him). This causes problems as whenever he's around them, he "must" tease her too. The boy also hides a pet pigeon from his parents for months. To keep it secret from his friends and family, he lies throughout the book, making up stories or excuses. The reason he feels he must keep his pet pigeon a secret is that in his town there is a yearly event where pigeons are shot for sport. This disturbs him and he dreads being forced to participate. In the end, his secret and actions weigh heavily on him and he realizes he cannot keep up the facade. He tells his parents (he does not get in trouble for his actions) and stands up for what he believes - that he doesn't like the pigeon killing and does not want to participate. He also breaks off his friendship with the boys.

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[Linda Lipko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 1998 Newbery honor book is powerful, poignant and hauntingly beautiful. This is a remarkable story of peer and social pressure, the courage to sort through the quagmire of self doubt until the mud clears and what remains is a crystal clear reflection of self acceptance.

Sensitive, animal loving nine year old Palmer LaRue passionately dreads the arrival of his tenth birthday. The rite of passage in his small town is to become a wringer -- a wringer of the necks of pigeons still alive after being shot at by the local townsmen. The annual pigeon day is a huge event and Palmer has a decision to make -- should he become a "man," or should he stand alone and say no.

Wanting desperately to belong, Palmer abandons his long-term friendship of a neighborhood girl and initially finds a sense of belonging by becoming a member of the in crowd of male bullies where the rite of acceptance is a birthday brutal punch in the arm for every year. Like a medal of honor, Palmer proudly displays his horrific bruises obtained at the hands of a much larger, older boy.

Soon, Palmer realizes that he is uncomfortable with both the peers who emotionally and physically harm and the townspeople who once a year maim and kill 5,000 helpless birds.

Spinelli does a masterful job of weaving various emotions swirling inside Palmer, especially as Palmer discovers a pigeon on his windowsill and develops a loving relationship with the animal.

Returning to his neighborhood friend, he accepts the softer side of himself and once again embraces his friend Dorothy as together they feed and love the animal at the risk of discovery by the bullies and the townspeople.

Parker's mother and father are portrayed in a loving way, and his mother in particular shines like a beacon.

This book was particularly powerful because of the way the author used the softness of animals and females to guide Parker in his realization that while it is hard to risk non acceptance, it is harder still to say no to what is good, pure and right.

Highly recommended. Five Stars!!!

[Bradley Hankins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reading challenge I’m doing called for a book that makes you feel nostalgic, so why not read a book from elementary??

Omg...I forgot how much I loved this book. It was the first Jerry Spinelli I read growing up and going back and rereading it made me feel like I was back in 3rd grade sitting at my desk reading during “Reading Time”.

I really love how Spinelli showed his main character, Palmer, grow and mature throughout the book. And the lesson about standing up for what you really believe, and being true to yourself is more important than fitting in.

Just loved.

[Devon Skube · Rating 1 out of 5]

it was bad so I abandoned it.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ummm.....



I did not like this book.

1. Bullies - Bean and his crew were disgusting and they never got punished for it.

2. Palmer - He was stressful to read about.

3. Setting - I thought this book was set in the fifties but later uncovered it was actually set in the 90s. What in the world?? That made all the behaviors even less acceptable.

4. The Treatment - Again, why is nobody stopping this?? Where are the adults in this godforsaken town? Off shooting more pigeons?

5. The End - It was fairly confusing and unsatisfying.

I would never recommend this or read it again. It was pretty terrible. I gave it two stars because I loved Palmer's parents in the end. I like Jerry Spinelli, but not this weirdo book.

[Ola · Rating 3 out of 5]

قصة مدينة لايرحم القاطنين فيها أسراب الحمام الوديعة بل يمارسون شتى أنواع القتل بتفنن وهنالك مواسم تقام تتجمع فيها الأهالي لرؤية هذة البشاعة على مسمع ومرى الصغار الإ هنالك دائما يوجد استثناء وكان هذا الصبي هو الاستثناء فقد جاءت زائرة خفية إلى بيته طلبا للغذاء والنوم فقرر أن يعتني بها ولكن هل يتمكن من حماية الحمامة والوقوف أمام وجه المدينة ؟!
يبدو إن طفلي سيكون محظوظ بإقتنائه مجموعة جميلة من أدب الناشئين المعاصرين الذين أصبحت في الفترة الأخيرة شديدة الحرص على متابعة أعمالهم التي تسهم في ترسيخ مبادىء الأخلاق في عمر الزهور وهنالك سبب أخر هو إن الطفلة التي كنتها يوما مازالت موجودة ولها عليّ حق

[Victor The Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wringer (My Kindle Review)

Spinelli’s novel takes us to the town of Waymer, where an annual pigeon shooting event is held to raise money for the town. There we follow Palmer, a nine-year-old boy who reluctantly makes peers with a group of very troublesome boys who are preparing for the upcoming pigeon day so they can become the event pigeon wringers. As he goes through some serious pressure from them and his father who was also a wringer, Palmer hides his real feelings about the events so he won’t get picked on. He also finds a surprise on his window that needs to be kept a secret or else.

“Wringer” is a really emotional story of childhood, peer pressure and standing up for yourself. Palmer’s story can get pretty rough as we see him deal with his so-called friends, his new pet and his feelings surrounding Pigeon Day while the topics of it can be a bit uncomfortable for some. Definitely a story for older kids or even YAs. It does leave you with a soft feeling of warmth and satisfaction that flies solemnly. B+ (83%/Very Good)

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very good but i reference this book a surprisingly large amount considering how obscure the subject matter is so it gets a start back

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

1998 Newbery Honor Book

I wasn't really sure what this book would be about by the cover. It looked a bit like a horror novel. The inside jacket cover description was even more vague. It sounded more and more like it would be scary. Fortunately, it wasn't.

The main character is Palmer. He turns 9 at the beginning of the book and has been accepted into a gang of boys named Beans, Mutto and Henry. They nickname him Snots. His mother doesn't approve of them. Honestly, they're punks.

In the city that Palmer lives, they have a massive pigeon shoot every year. It gives him nightmares. When he turns 10, he knows he's expected to help wring the pigeons' necks to kill them after they've been shot down (hence, "wringer"). He doesn't want to do this.

A pigeon shows up at his window. It becomes his pet but he's afraid of the boys finding out and he's afraid of it getting shot too.

It was a nice little book about standing up for yourself and refusing to do something because "everyone else is doing it."

[Pluto_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

ugh what an ending.

I have no idea how to review this book but I will just share some thoughts I had. I wish people would stop judging people from their origin or where they come from. The heavy calamity i felt reading this book was just- I have no words. I read sad books willing because they make me feel and live the sadness I bottle inside. The story of the pigeon in this book could be used to describe humans and how gruesome acts happen to people who share the same blood as us. Thinking it is okay to kill one another for trophies and ribbons. This book does target a younger audience but I enjoyed every part of it. It upholds so much meaning. Never change yourself to fit in because it will only make you miserable.

No highlight's for this one since all I highlighted are spoilers.

[Dimitri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read only once in my youth: the whole idea of wringing a pigeon's neck as a rite of passage was so far removed from my world that it horrified me...

[Jaden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classmate told me I should read this book and I'm so glad she did! By the looks of it, it isn't a book I would ever pick up, even after reading the back I didn't like it. I started reading it and I loved it. I'm sad that I finished it so quick, I never wanted it to end. Wringer is now one of my favorite books, I want to go back and reread it already!

[iamanolive · Rating 2 out of 5]

welcome to part one of anoushka reads middle grade again.


THIS WAS ENTERTAINING.

[Liz P · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the second book by this author I read. I must say this was a huge letdown from Maniac Magee. I kept telling my daughter there is going to be a lesson. I guess the lesson of not just following your peers is there, but I feel like there are so many better written books that give that message.

[Masoome · Rating 4 out of 5]

واقعا چنین رسم احمقانه‌ای وجود داشته؟
با توجه به رمان نوجوان‌های جدیدتر، کتاب عالی‌ای نبود. حتی فکر می‌کنم نوجوون‌ها در حد متوسط هم دوستش نداشته باشن...

[ala' · Rating 4 out of 5]

العصار ،

للوهلة الأولى بدا العنوان غريبا جدا ، من هو العصار هذا ؟ هل الكتاب الذي كتبه جيري سبينيللي ( مؤلف الخاسر ) عن عصار ما يعصر الليمون كل يوم ؟ ولا بد أنه طفل فقير وتعيس كما نرى من صورة الغلاف ، يعصر الليمون ويبيعه ليحصل قوت يومه ..

وهكذا دخلت الكتاب دون أي معرفة لماهية هذا العصار ، لأكتشف حبكة مثيرة للاهتمام و الجمال يديرها الكاتب ببراعة يحسد عليها ، ففي مدينة بطلنا الصغير الذي لم يتجاوز العاشرة من عمره ، يقام في كل عام عيد سنوي كبير يدعى أسبوع الأسرة ، وفي اليوم الأخير من العيد يحضر إلى الساحة جميع أهل المدينة ، ليشاهدوا عرضا لا يمكن تفويته حسب أعراف أهل تلك المدينة ، فهناك يتم اطلاق خمسة آلاف حمامة كل خمسة منها سوية ، ويتسلى الناس بمشاهدة الصيادين وهم يقتلون الحمام حمامة حمامة .. و حين تقع حمامة ما جريحة على الأرض فإن أطفالا في العاشرة ينطلقون من كل مكان إليها ، ليلتقطوها ، ويقصموا رقبتها . وهم من يعرفون بالعصارين .

في هذه المدينة ، على كل طفل بلغ العاشرة أن يشارك بهذه المراسم السنوية ، وهو شرف يسعى إليه الأطفال بقوة ، ولكن بالمر بطلنا لم يطن يعتبر أن عيد ميلاده العاشر حدثا يود التطلع إليه ، بل حدث يخشاه ، لأنه لم يكن يرغب أن يصير قاصما لرقاب الطيور حتى إن لم يصرح بذلك أمام زملائه الأطفال وأصدقائه ، الذين يدفعونه دفعا إلى هذا المصير .

وفي تلك المدينة ، كارهة الطيور والحمام ، يصل إلى شباك بالمر حمامة صغيرة ، تأبى أن تفارقه .. تنشأ بينه وبينها محبة وتعلق كبيرين .. في جو من السرية والتكتم الشديدين يحتفظ بسره هذا لنفسه ، حتى لا يرفضه أصدقائه ، ولكنه يدرك حينها ، أن عليه أن ينقل رفضه وتميزه إلى مستوى أعلى ، وأن عليه أن يتكلم .. وأن يضع حدا لمخاوفه ويرتفع إلى مستوى ما يؤمن به ..

رواية شديدة الجمال ، و شديدة الحميمية ، تطرح عدة قضايا اشكالية ، كضغط الأصدقاء والمجتمع ، و علاقات الصداقة والاستغلال و توازن القوى والتضحية ، والأهم أنها تطرح وبشكل غير مباشر مسألة شديدة الأهمية هل ما يحدده المجتمع هو الصحيح ؟ .. وهل التخلق والانصياع لما يراه المجتمع هو خيار الأطفال الوحيد .. أم أن عليهم أن يتبنوا موقفا واضحا من ما حولهم ..

ينصح به لليافعين .. :) من سن 9- 13 عام

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son selected this for Family Book Group. He prefers what he terms "realistic fiction" and Jerry Spinelli is one of his favorite authors.

Like some of his other titles, this one is about finding your true self and identifying your real friends. Palmer's isolation is anguishing - it's very hard for me (as an adult) to read about him running around with his thuggish friends and working so hard to appear to be something he isn't. It was also hard to me to accept that the adults in his life wouldn't intervene - his teachers and parents clearly recognized something was wrong, but didn't do much to help him find his way.

That said, I appreciated that the parents showed some growth during the novel. The dad, especially, comes to realize that his son might not feel the same as he did at that age. I thought his quiet, caring, companionship with Palmer during Family Fest was especially poignant:

During the week his father said many things, mostly with his hands. He rubbed Palmer's hair and squeezed his shoulder and tugged on his shirt and tickled his ribs and pulled him backward with a finger hooked in the back pocket of his jeans and lightly brushed the side of his neck with his fingertips as he stopped and chatted with friends. Each of these things had a different meaning to Palmer and yet the same - a language unlearned, of words unheard, that came to roost at some warm and waiting perch far below his ears. (206)

For me, Dorothy is a real hero of the book. She put up with Palmer when he and his friends mocked her. She called him on his sh*t (maybe a little too late, but she did it). And she was a real friend when he returned to her later. Dorothy is the friend I'd want if I were ten again.

[Tom Garback · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️ ⭐️
Personal Score: D
Critical Score: C-

An awkward crossroads of genre and audience age. I wish Spinelli had committed to dystopian, or wrote for an older audience.

The moral messaging here is shallow, the plotting sparse, and the tone unsure. I suppose the author was trying to be edgy, genre-blending, and unique, but the end result is, to me, a mess of half-ways.

Also, the ending implies the moral triumph is that soon the town kids will want to own the pigeons, not see them killed. Yay? That’s a whole different problem of the human heart.

I appreciate the commentary on toxic masculinity, but the viewpoint is sturdily from the boy’s, so there is so much limitation in the treatment of Dorothy. Also, there are so few solid resolutions on issues (like the treatment of women) that, in a kid’s book, shouldn’t be concluded with such ambiguity.

[Marcelaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy reading about a boy my son's age making friends with horrible children who enjoy activities like nailing dead muskrats to people's doors, tormenting other kids, and breaking pigeons' necks. I can see why it won the Newberry medal because the book has a lot of depth, but it was a pretty depressing read for me. Five stars to Dorothy for being a strong and confident girl in the face of bullying and peer pressure and helping her friend with great maturity. I'll also give Spinelli credit for capturing just how difficult it is from a child's perspective to escape bullying and peer pressure.

[Rachel Croft · Rating 2 out of 5]

I adore Jerry Spinelli and this one also won a Newberry Honor award so I gave it a go. But I really didn’t get much from it. It doesn’t have that magic that Stargirl or Smiles to Go does. I honestly didn’t get the point of this book - other than a general stand against bullying and tradition. It was a nice easy read and great for younger kids, but if I was to recommend a Spinelli book, I would forget this one and stick with Stargirl and Love Stargirl.
Also, the cover REALLY makes it look like a horror novel so I was immediately confused!!!

[George Ilsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is intended for a younger target audience than young adult. A boy through age 9 and 10 learns his humanity first from a pigeon and then from a girl. Rough and tumble boys are not always your friends. Mass killings of fellow creatures raise questions and even spark doubts. Dad and Mom turn out good after all — you just have to be mature enough to see it.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I learned that there are things you can't share with people all the time. Even though this would be an issue I can share I found in my own life I have things I can't talk about with anyone because of the way they will think about me...

[Shelby Pitts · Rating 2 out of 5]

How in the world did Jerry Spinelli get from the heartfelt and comedic book of Maniac Magee to the horrifying Wringer book? He had drastically changed the mood of this book. I can't even stand to look at this book any more.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Subjects like toxic masculinity are barely ever explored in books and I'm so glad this one did, its a really great book by a good author.