About This Book
Jerry Spinelli's Newbery Honor-winning novel, Wringer, tells the poignant story of Palmer LaRue, a boy living in a town where turning ten means participating in the annual Pigeon Day, a tradition of wringing the necks of wounded birds. Palmer, however, secretly befriends a pigeon named Nipper, creating a profound moral dilemma. The book masterfully explores themes of peer pressure, courage, empathy, and finding one's own identity against societal expectations. It's a powerful narrative about a child's internal struggle to do what's right, even when it means challenging deeply ingrained community norms and risking ostracization. Parents should be aware of the central theme of animal cruelty, which is handled with sensitivity through Palmer's perspective.
As Palmer comes of age, he must either accept the violence of being a wringer at his town's annual Pigeon Day or find the courage to oppose it.
Violence
peril_danger
bullying
animal_harm
Discussion Prompts
1
What does it mean to have courage, and how does Palmer show it throughout the story?
2
How does peer pressure affect Palmer's choices, and what could he have done differently?
3
Do you think traditions should always be followed, even if they seem wrong? Why or why not?
4
How does Palmer's relationship with Nipper change his perspective on Pigeon Day?
5
What lessons can we learn from Palmer about standing up for what we believe in, even when it's difficult?
External Reviews
If Your Family Enjoyed This
Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share how this book landed with your family.