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Wringer

3.56 of 5 stars 3.56 · rating details · 5,390 ratings · 524 reviews

Sometimes he wished it would come after him, chase him, this thing he did not want to be. But the thing never moved. It merely waited. Waited for him to come to it. In Palmer LaRue's hometown of Waymer, turning ten is the biggest event of a boy's life. It marks the day when a boy is ready to take his place as a wringer at the annual Family Fest. It's an honor and a traditi...more

Paperback, 240 pages

Published May 24th 2005 by HarperTrophy (first published January 1st 1997)

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Newbery Medal Honor Books

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Jun 27, 2010 Kaion rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, childrens

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...more 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)(less)

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Sep 22, 2008 Amber Gordon rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. “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 w...more “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!

(less)

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Mar 04, 2009 Ja rated it 3 of 5 stars

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 onl...more

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Dec 03, 2008 cheyenne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 7th-grade-ir-books-debra

the plot in this book is thatpalmer is 9 about to turn 10 years old and that is the time he has to become a wringer.but he doesn't want to become a wringer so wants to stop his self from getting older. even thought becoming a wringer is a family fest and a honor and tradition. but he find a visitior on his windowsill and now he knows that it is time to stand up.
a connection i have to this book is that i am soon going to be 12 and i don't want it to come but you can't stop time.so no matter how...more

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Jan 31, 2009 Amber rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is a sad but yet fun book to read if you are a animal lover like me you might not like it at first but at the end it turns out ok this book is a about a book Palmer who is turning 10 and when you become ten you have too be a wringer a wringer is a person who wrings pigeons necks if they are not dead buy the time the shoters shot them anyways Palmer want to fit in but he cant because he has a sercet that he does not want to become a wringer and their is another but you have to read the...more

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Feb 21, 2009 Angie rated it 2 of 5 stars

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...

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Nov 24, 2008 Christopher rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

Recommended to Christopher by: My teacher

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book is all about a kid who turns 9 and then gets the treatment from a kid and his shoulder turns purple and he enjoys showing it to little kids. One day he wanted to show it to a girl named Dorothy but she ignores him because the people he hangs out with hate her.Later on he finds out that once he turns ten he had to become a wringer which he did like because he had to wring pigeons neck.He ended up getting a pigeon as a pet which he cared so much about and then later on let Dorothy see th...more

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Mar 31, 2013 7709naima rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a GREAT book!The genera of this book is realistic fiction. Wringer is about a boy named Palmer that became the age where you start being a wringer on the day pigeons' get their necks' twisted and die, which Palmer does not want to be. On Palmer's birthday his friends that aren't really his friends since they hurt him and also scare him, congratulate him for finally being the age every boy wants to be to wring pigeons.This makes Palmer worried because he didn't want to be a wringer since...more This was a GREAT book!The genera of this book is realistic fiction. Wringer is about a boy named Palmer that became the age where you start being a wringer on the day pigeons' get their necks' twisted and die, which Palmer does not want to be. On Palmer's birthday his friends that aren't really his friends since they hurt him and also scare him, congratulate him for finally being the age every boy wants to be to wring pigeons.This makes Palmer worried because he didn't want to be a wringer since he didn't like it. Palmer's friends gave him "the treatment," which meant it was a really hard punch that leaves a mark that hurts but represents your cool and strong. One day there was an injured pigeon that was on Palmer's window and when he saw it he started talking to it and was asking questions like "what are you doing here?"he brought the pigeon inside his room and took care of its injury, making Palmer start liking the pigeon. Later he leaves the pigeon outside his window and leaves to school. He comes back and see it is still there and decide to keep it for a while until it is fully recovered. Palmer names the pigeon Nipper. He brings him food tells his mom to knock the door before she comes in by giving an excuse and does many more to make sure no one finds he had a pigeon in his room. He told his best friend that was girl named Dorothy since he trusted her and thought many times if he should tell her or not. Later on he decides to let Nipper go on the day pigeons get collected to get their necks twisted and one of his friends sees it, tries to attack on it which they success in and Nipper dies. Palmer starts crying but realizes Nipper leaves him with a good memory of when they spent time together. I liked this book because it had a lot of emotions appearing like the motherhood Palmer showed towards Nipper and I also liked it because I liked how Jerry Spinelli described the traits of the characters since it makes me know more about the character and didn't make me confused towards the end since I knew why they were doing this, which is because of their traits.(less)

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Mar 13, 2013 Joy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: newbery-project

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 Pa...more

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Jan 23, 2013 Scooping it Up rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2nd-through-12th-grade

This was an interesting short novel, suited for ages 11 and up. I felt it would have worked better as a short story. At first, I couldn't tell if it was modern realism or taking place in some future world. Any town in which ALLL boys of a certain age are EXPECTED/FORCED to do something has a very post-apocalyptic ring to me, so most of the book I was waiting for something "futuristic" to happen.

It turns out it was just a normal town, on normal earth with a tradition that would make PETA press c...more

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Jan 16, 2013 Jacob rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wringer by Jerry Spinelli
265 pages
realistic fiction

This book is about a boy named Palmer Who has a love for pigeons. On his 10th birthday he became friends with three kids named beans Mutto and Henry. These kids are the normal kids there because they hate pigeons. In his town they have a family fest that has kids having fun with there kids doing fun things and then on the last day there is a day where they shoot and wring pigeons in the neck. Palmer hates this but his friends love it and Palme...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Jill added it

Shelves: newbery-honor

"The previous summer Palmer's mother had taken him to the outdoor Y pool for swimming lessons. The first lesson was floating. The instructor told him to just throw back his head, bring up his feet and allow himself to lie on his back on the water. This made no sense to Palmer. All of his life's experience told him that if he left his feet, he would fall, or in the case of water, sink." About floating, and his friend Dorothy: "He knew that he could let go, and she would hold him up." This makes m...more

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Oct 28, 2012 Jonathan Reed added it

Wringer is the story of Palmer and his struggle with his towns tradition. Palmers town has a tradition of when you turna certain age you wring pigeons. Palmer does not want to be a wringer , but to fit in with his friends Beans , Mutto , and Henry. he has to wring the birds and fulfill the tradition. How ever his decision is made even harder when one day he befriends a pigeon and names it Nipper. Nipper turns into his best friend , but he cant let his friends see. Although he is care full of hi...more

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Feb 24, 2012 Linda Lipko rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: newbery-winner, newbery-award-author, young-adult

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 be...more 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!!!(less)

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Sep 05, 2011 Librarianforhim rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of stories with moral choices, strong themes of family and friendship

Recommended to Librarianforhim by: Solano Kids Read Committee

Shelves: animal-stories, bullying, friendships, middle-school-life, read-in-2011, tween-read

Plot: Palmer lives in a town where life can be ideal, but he also has a fear. He fears turning 10 years old for that's the year when he will become a wringer at the annual pigeon shoot. When a pigeon flies into his life Palmer is more convinced than ever that he doesn't want to carry on this tradition. But will he find the courage to stand up for what he believes before it's too late?

Why I picked it up: Truly, it's only because I had to so I could make a fair assessment of it for the Solano Kids...more

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Aug 17, 2011 Laina rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was another incredible Spinelli read. I actually found myself more drawn in by CRASH, but I felt that this one had a very deep, potent meaning that was almost impossible to miss. Of course, that's what I love most about Jerry Spinelli. In fifth grade when I first read MANIAC MCGEE I loved the book because it was fun, and I knew from a feeling in my gut that it said something wonderful. It wasn't until I read it again in high school that I started to recognize all it was saying, however. I f...more This was another incredible Spinelli read. I actually found myself more drawn in by CRASH, but I felt that this one had a very deep, potent meaning that was almost impossible to miss. Of course, that's what I love most about Jerry Spinelli. In fifth grade when I first read MANIAC MCGEE I loved the book because it was fun, and I knew from a feeling in my gut that it said something wonderful. It wasn't until I read it again in high school that I started to recognize all it was saying, however. I felt the same with CRASH. I loved the fun story, but more importantly I loved what it said about human nature and changing. WRINGER was so powerful. I felt so torn, just like the main character Palmer did. The peer pressure I saw in the story, but I related it to my own childhood and realized how real that pressure is. Palmer was different in a small, simple way, but in the end it's what makes him who he is. It's hard for him. Spinelli doesn't every sugar coat how hard it is to stand up for what is right. Palmer had lots of support, though. I loved his mother-- absolutely loved her! Perhaps the most touching part of the book for me was the quiet change his father went through. The part where it talks about his father talking to him all day without saying a word... it was such a beautiful description it brought tears to my eyes. Spinelli uses such evocative details-- the red coat being hit with white snowballs, the eight colors in the pigeon... so gorgeous!! There's no other way to describe his writing. Not only do his books uncover flaws in society, but they leave the reader hopeful. At the end when the little boy turns to his dad and says he wants a pet pigeon, too, was the single most important line of the whole book in my opinion. It's encouraging to see one little boy act humanely, but it's fifty times more encouraging when you see the attitude spread.

This has been a scattered review, so I'll try to sum it all up. In essense, this book was incredible. Spinelli is not for young readers. Just because he writes about nine-year-olds doesn't mean that his books only speak to that age group. Read it. Read them all. I'll definitely continue with my frenzie.(less)

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May 25, 2011 Chris Medina rated it 5 of 5 stars

The book Wringer is one of my favorite books. The characters are memorable and unique, and all around, the book is very inventive. The title of the book blend in nicely the climax laves you wondering, some of the parts are very suspenseful and exciting. It ends with an excellent moral: “You do not have to live up to what your parents want you to do. Be yourself, a master piece”. This books a great book this fit well for everyone. The young man in the book really took a stand to do right. It’s a...more

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Jan 30, 2011 Davina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: juvenile-fiction

I had an interesting experience with this book: someone had written (in pencil) literary elements along the margins throughout the whole book in reference to certain passages. It actually made me slow down and really investigate what I was reading. Character voice changes, foreshadowing, pov, conflict, etc. etc. I think I ended up enjoying it more than I would have without the reminders. Granted, people need to STOP writing in library books, but it was interesting.

Palmer is only just turning 9,...more

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Nov 04, 2010 Peacegal rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: humane-education

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...more 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. (less)

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May 27, 2010 Lars Guthrie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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...more 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.(less)

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Oct 20, 2009 Kristian added it

Shelves: grade-8-reading-betts-grant

this book was a interesting book. palmer lives in a place where birthdays are huge and always big in a persons heart. for his birthday he got a birt! how interesting but this birt had some deffects. it was having trouble with its flying but little by litle it got there. but palmer thinks that since he is a year older means initation into violent practice he despires. because since he is older he can use that as a excuse to go hunting because that is violent in his terms and it is huge to him. be...more

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Jun 08, 2009 MarnieSkinner added it

The Wringer was an interestingly weird reading. Palmer, a normal well-mannered boy, feels this intense feeling of want and need of exeptence from fellow neighbor boys. The boys were gruesome. They were not good to Palmer until his 9th birthday party; he was too young before to be accepted. Palmer honored with the name Snots after being welcomed into the gang of the three trouble makers puts friendships on the line just so Beans, Henry, and Mutto don't think low of him. He is then expected to hav...more

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Mar 21, 2013 Brenda Engelhardt rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: realistic-fiction

Wringer is the story of a young boy coming of age in a town that features a pigeon shoot every year. The story centers on the boys hatred for killing the birds, his friendship with a bird and a girl, and the inevitable desire to fit in and be liked.
This book is written from the perspecitve of Palmer. He is a good kid but also a boy who is expected to do boy things, have gross nicknames and tease girls. Jerry Spinelli writes the charater convincingly. And it doesn't seem to matter whether you ar...more

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Mar 30, 2011 Jackie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: animals-birds, bullies, children-fiction, newbery-honor-book, violence, courage, challenged-books

Unlike most kids his age, Palmer LaRue is dreading his 10th birthday. Because, you see, upon reaching his 10th, he will be declared ready to be a wringer. Every summer during the annual Pigeon Days, 10 year old boys must be trained to wring the necks of nearly 5000 pigeons that are released for sharpshooters. When the birds are only wounded the boys have seconds to get the bird and put them out of their misery. Palmer is sickened and appalled by this tradition...even though his father won the sh...more

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Nov 04, 2009 Nickk rated it 3 of 5 stars

Wringer is a story about a boy named Palmer LaRue. He is about to turn the age of ten. He is part of a gang that is always up to no good (Beans, Mutton, and Henry). He also is good friends with a girl named Dorothy Gruzik. Palmer does not want to ever become ten because of the things that come with it. In his town of Wayner, all boys who turn ten become wringers. Every year the town has a festival in which people shoot at pigeons in order to help support the town park. At this fundraiser, the pi...more

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Mar 02, 2010 Nicole marked it as to-read

Holy carp again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I also read this book in Junior High, I loved me some Spinelli in Junior High, especially Maniac McGee, and in the future! I am in love with Star Girl! So I guess during one of those mandatory trips to the library I went to his section and I picked up this animal rights classic!

This book has always been in the back of my mind. I remember it at odd times, but I never remembered the title or who wrote it. Thanks to the internet and my ability to remember the pre...more

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Apr 20, 2009 Aaron rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 9th-grade-advisory

Wringer Book Review
By Jerry Spinelli
228 Pages $2.99
New York, New York
Copyright ©1997 by Jerry Spinelli
ISBN 0-06-440578-8

Poor Palmer, a confused boy who doesn't know how to stand up for himself and do things that he truly wants without being forced with peer pressure. Locked in a battle between himself and his hesitation for being afraid because of what other people might think. This story demonstrates how teens or in this case ten-year old don't have to be afraid to say no even when there's pre...more Wringer Book Review
By Jerry Spinelli
228 Pages $2.99
New York, New York
Copyright ©1997 by Jerry Spinelli
ISBN 0-06-440578-8

Poor Palmer, a confused boy who doesn't know how to stand up for himself and do things that he truly wants without being forced with peer pressure. Locked in a battle between himself and his hesitation for being afraid because of what other people might think. This story demonstrates how teens or in this case ten-year old don't have to be afraid to say no even when there's pressure between your friends or your family.

This book is about how a boy- a ten-year old boy, is living his life until his tenth birthday comes along. You see...to you a tenth may be just an ordinary day where you celebrate with cakes and chips and other good things, but...in this story, the tenth birthday is the most important part of a boy's life. He will have to become something known as a wringer, a proud and honorable tradition that all ten year old boys have to become when they hit ten. You can guess what might happen, yup poor Palmer doesn't want to be a wringer but too afraid to stand up for himself in what he believes in.

A theme that I find that is very important and is basically the main theme on this book is Peer Pressure, not just pressures from friends or kids from his neighborhood, but the pressure from him family as well. He dislike being someone known as a "wringer". Oh and by the way, a "wringer" is someone who squeezes pigeon's necks until they die. I personally don't think why anyone would do that but I guess the author has his reasons. Although sometimes you might want what people you to do, but really, all you have to do is ask yourself if you want to do it or not. If you don't want to do it, then say no. The main character in this book learns throughout the book, but also people in the real world. I think that this theme is really interesting, and is what made me read this book.

If you're a type of reader who likes to read about a different kind of society and how it is different, you might want to read this book. It shows how this society of "wringers" care show much about that certain role. Also, if you want to find out how Palmer finds his resolve then grab a hold of this book and start flipping through the pages.
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Apr 20, 2013 Azaria Howell rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-reviewed-by-me

I give Wringer, by Jerry Spinelli, two stars. I really didn't like the book. The first reason is that people say it is a "Realistic Fiction" when it's really not. I chose the book because it said it was Realistic Fiction, so I thought nothing weird or crazy would happen. Boy was I wrong. SPOILER ALERT The book is about three kids that are friends, and two of them can't wait for the pigeon wringing. That means there is a shooting contest at the fun fair, and the three friends have to break the sh...more

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Jan 13, 2013 Sieun Lee rated it 5 of 5 stars

I think this is one of the best book I ever read,even though it's horrible to wring and kill the peagons but it's still so~ good.

My favorite part was when Dorothy and Palmer met together again by best friend.And when Snots(Palmer) told her like everything. It was just so good!

And I really don't have worst part but I don't like the character Bean because he is so mean.He was the one who bullied Palmer and he suddenly became his friend!And then he became mean to him because he heard Palmer said...more

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Apr 05, 2011 Austin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-reviews

This book was a very good book for only two-hundred and twenty-eight pages. These are some things I like about the book. It has great detail and has sad, happy parts. Wringer has a good moral and good things to recognize in the book. Palmer (the main character) finds old friends and becomes stronger in the friendship. Palmer finds another friend that constantly comes to his house. But there are some things that I think they should have put in the book. Jerry could have made a second book of Wri...more

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About Jerry Spinelli

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...more

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