Jerry Spinelli - Wringer

Pros: Extremely well-written, great moral lesson

Cons: detailed accounts of pigeon shootings are dark and depressing; especially in Palmer's dreams

Review: 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: Totally engrossing tale with a moral issue

Cons: Some necessary violence

Review: 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: Positive message, short chapters to keep the readers interest, well written

Cons: some violence (the shooting of pigeons)

Review: 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

Review: 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 ...

Pros: Appeals to pre-teen boys, a Newbery Honor book

Cons: Some parents and children might find the pigeon-killing a little disturbing

The Bottom Line: Appeals to a hard-to-reach audience, so well worth the read!

Review: 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: Author has good details

Cons: graphic, gross details

Review: 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: absorbing, able to be understood on many levels

Cons: a bit intense for younger or more sensitive readers

Review: 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....