Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
New York : HarperCollins, c1997.
Description
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.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Whisper1
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
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!!!
Sensitive, animal loving
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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!!!
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LibraryThing member renaireads
This book is about a boy who wants to fit in. Once accepted into a group of boys he realizes that he doesn’t like the things that they do. He has an inner struggle with what to do. During this time he befriends a pigeon. This goes against all the rules of a town that shoots pigeons.
This book had
A good classroom extension would be to discuss bullying and the self-confidence that the boy needed to stand up and do what he believed was right. Next I would have the students write a story continuing “Wringer”. I would ask what do you think the boy will do now? How will he act? Do you think he started a new trend in his community? Do you think people will treat him different now?
This book had
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a scary looking cover. There could be several different lessons pulled from this book. It is a good book to use on being yourself and following your own beliefs.A good classroom extension would be to discuss bullying and the self-confidence that the boy needed to stand up and do what he believed was right. Next I would have the students write a story continuing “Wringer”. I would ask what do you think the boy will do now? How will he act? Do you think he started a new trend in his community? Do you think people will treat him different now?
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LibraryThing member BenR
The book left me hanging and left a precious moral- to always follow your dream and have faith. Spenelli is not only a writer, he's a writer with a heart, like his characters.
LibraryThing member beckyhill
Palmer LaRue is supposed to become a pigeon wringer when he turns ten like every other boy in his town, but when a pigeon shows up at his bedroom window, he changes how things work in his town. Palmer is very easy for young people to associate with, as he gets picked on a lot and is unsure of his
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future. The setting is not determined, which makes it more applicable to the average youth. The theme is to not be afraid of being different, and you can control your future. Spinelli's style is accurate to the situation and the readers. I would include this in my collection. Show Less
LibraryThing member tshrum06
I would classify this as realistic fiction. It is about a society that could exist, in which their sport is shooting pigeons on a festival day. I don’t know of any society like this in real life, but the concept is not completely unbelievable and the characters are relatable. Students will be
Age Appropriateness: Middle
Media: N/A
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able to relate to feeling lonely and being bullied and wanting to be accepted in their culture.Age Appropriateness: Middle
Media: N/A
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LibraryThing member mrsdwilliams
Palmer is not looking forward to his 10th birthday. In his town, when boys are 10 years old they become "wringers," the boys who wring the necks of wounded pigeons at the annual Pigeon Day shoot. He is squemish at the thought of killing a wounded pigeon in the first place, but after he rescues a
The whole concept of this book just seemed kind of icky to me. I'm not a fan of Lord of the Flies, either. I much preferred Stargirl and its sequel, Love Stargirl.
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stray one and keeps it as a pet, he doesn't know what to do. Should he bow to peer pressure or stand up for what he believes is right?The whole concept of this book just seemed kind of icky to me. I'm not a fan of Lord of the Flies, either. I much preferred Stargirl and its sequel, Love Stargirl.
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LibraryThing member Molly2Faith
This book is about a boy who is dreading his tenth birthday. The tenth birthday marks the day a boy decides if he is going to be a wringer or not. Being a wringer means the boy has to strangle a pigeon that was wounded from the towns pigeon day. This is a tradition passed down from father to son.
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The only problem for the little boy is that he has a pet pigeon and and is trying to find the courage to stand up for what he believes in and say, "no". Show Less
LibraryThing member AngMarWilson
This novel is about a boy who is dreading his 10th Birthday. In the town where he grew up, boys become wringers on their 10th Birthday. Wringers are boys who break the neck of wounded pigeons. These pigeons are wounded on Pigeon Day when people pay money to shoot at these birds. Palmer wanted to be
I think this book is a good book to explain that it is okay to be different and to always follow what you believe in. Its nice to have friends but true friends will not make you conform. Bullies are always a problem for school-aged children so this would be perfect to read.
I would start a discussion with my classroom and tell them that it is okay to do what you believe in. As long as they are not breaking the rules or get in trouble. On the brighter side, I would start another discussion to see if any of my students have ever had a pet they loved dearly.
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different and fought with his inner feelings about acceptance or individuality. He really doesn't want to become a wringer when he saves a pigeon and it becomes his pet.I think this book is a good book to explain that it is okay to be different and to always follow what you believe in. Its nice to have friends but true friends will not make you conform. Bullies are always a problem for school-aged children so this would be perfect to read.
I would start a discussion with my classroom and tell them that it is okay to do what you believe in. As long as they are not breaking the rules or get in trouble. On the brighter side, I would start another discussion to see if any of my students have ever had a pet they loved dearly.
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LibraryThing member kkcrossley
All boys once they turn 10 have to be 'wringers' in the annual Pigeon Hunt. Palmer doesn't want to do this in fact he is hiding a pet pigeon. His friends are applying a lot of pressure. What will he do?
LibraryThing member lisablythe
Wringer is the story of a boy named Palmer trying to "fit in". The town he lives in has a once a year pigeon-shooting money raiser. Pigeons that are still alive, but injured must be "put out of their misery" by ten year old "wringers" When Plamer, who will soon be ten, develops an unlikely
When I was about 7, my much older brother brought me a gosling. He was the cutest, clumsiest thing. When he became a grown goose, he began to shed feathers all over the yard. My mom told me if I didn't keep the feathers picked up, he would have to go. I didn't, so he did. My feathered friend is still alive in my memory and I could relate very well to Palmer's feelings for Nipper.
As a classroom extension, I would introduce a study about carrier pigeons. We would discuss their characteristics, diet and their important work carrying messages. We would also track some of their flights on a map.
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friendship with a pigeon, problems arise. He eventually must choose between the town and his own beloved pigeon. He has only moments to decide what matters most, the "respect" of the town or his feathered friend "Nipper".When I was about 7, my much older brother brought me a gosling. He was the cutest, clumsiest thing. When he became a grown goose, he began to shed feathers all over the yard. My mom told me if I didn't keep the feathers picked up, he would have to go. I didn't, so he did. My feathered friend is still alive in my memory and I could relate very well to Palmer's feelings for Nipper.
As a classroom extension, I would introduce a study about carrier pigeons. We would discuss their characteristics, diet and their important work carrying messages. We would also track some of their flights on a map.
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LibraryThing member Omrythea
This troubling story about meanness, peer pressure and living up to others' expectations might be well-received by many boys. I, myself, did not like it that much. Poor pigeons!
LibraryThing member kswanteck
This book tells the story of Palmer, a boy who must decide to succumb to peer pressure or stand up for what he believes in.
I'm pretty sure I read this book in elementary school, but I think the ideas could also translate to high school. What high schooler hasn't felt peer pressure? There could be
I'm pretty sure I read this book in elementary school, but I think the ideas could also translate to high school. What high schooler hasn't felt peer pressure? There could be
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many discussions about peer pressure in general and what to do when it happens. I think it would be a good conversation starter, even if we weren't necessarily talking about the details of the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member francescadefreitas
The portrayal of bullying in this story rang true for me - it reminded me of the gangs of girls that plagued my schoolyard. But there was a vague air of unreality about the story - possibly because my rose-coloured eyeballs had trouble imagining a town that would so actively support the violence of
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the pigeon shooting day. Show Less
LibraryThing member HippieLunatic
This is an endearing story of a boy who learns to stand up for himself. There were moments of compassion and moments of torment, both depicted with clarity and a true understanding of childhood. I loved the characterization of both male and female characters, as well as parent and child.
LibraryThing member alexcirasuolo
This is a very powerful book for both adults and children. It is a tremendous piece of children's literature.
LibraryThing member Sullywriter
Brilliant! One of the best children's novels ever.
LibraryThing member Nall0705
o Summary of content/review: Palmer’s tenth birthday is fast approaching, even though he is wishing it wouldn’t come. The stigma and responsibility that Palmer’s town puts on turning 10 is overwhelming and scary to Palmer.
o Evaluation: The characterization of Palmer makes him very relatable
o Target audience: 6th-8th grades
o Connection to classroom: I would use this text when discussing the challenges of facing adulthood, as well as having children compare and contrast adulthood in Palmer’s world and our own.
CC Standards: RL.7.9Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history.
Classification: Theme Bin 2: Coming of Age
o Evaluation: The characterization of Palmer makes him very relatable
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to children approaching adolescence, or even adulthood. The first person narrative point of view of the story is key in having readers identify with the main character.o Target audience: 6th-8th grades
o Connection to classroom: I would use this text when discussing the challenges of facing adulthood, as well as having children compare and contrast adulthood in Palmer’s world and our own.
CC Standards: RL.7.9Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history.
Classification: Theme Bin 2: Coming of Age
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LibraryThing member engpunk77
Rings true to life, unfortunately. Spinelli illuminates the dark realities of American culture & standard childhood issues such as bullying, peer-pressure, and being afraid to be yourself when everyone else is so WRONG and normal. I could so identify with the protagonist that it was painful. The
While this was a little less uplifting and inspiring as every other Spinelli novel, there still is a glimmer of hope in the end. This is not a "feel-good" novel like Star Girl, Crash, or Maniac Magee, but an important one to be placed in the hands of the right child. Anyone who feels a bit out of place or is ultra-sensitive would be that right child and would find a hero in Palmer, but perhaps our "Beans & Muddow's" should take a read, too.
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premise seems brutal & shocking, a whole town who enjoys the annual pigeon-killing festivities that includes having 10-year-olds gleefully putting the injured birds "out of their misery" in the coveted role of "wringer". Seems as horrendous as, say, Thanksgiving, fireworks, pig roasts, rodeos, bull fights, and other seemingly innocuous cultural celebrations that to some of us who are more sensitive seem like orgies of brutality and/or immorality. While this was a little less uplifting and inspiring as every other Spinelli novel, there still is a glimmer of hope in the end. This is not a "feel-good" novel like Star Girl, Crash, or Maniac Magee, but an important one to be placed in the hands of the right child. Anyone who feels a bit out of place or is ultra-sensitive would be that right child and would find a hero in Palmer, but perhaps our "Beans & Muddow's" should take a read, too.
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LibraryThing member RalphLagana
On the whole this is a good story. The characters are defined well and the story moves along quickly. There's a feeling of wanting to find out what happens next. This book is sure to be well received by students as it generates many questions and has a real sense of peril to it. As an adult, I
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found there to be too many instances where I was pressed to suspend my disbelief in order to keep the story moving along. One example: the utter lack of parent involvement when several of the neighborhood boys are essentially bullying a girl rings (wrings) completely false. At the end of the day, books and good stories are about entertainment and expanding our thinking; and this book did both. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cheryl_in_CC_NV
I love Spinelli's keen empathy for his complex characters. Not many authors can effectively explore the inner lives of boys. Gary Paulsen and Louis Sachar do very well but in some ways Spinelli is the most sophisticated, with the most wide-ranging and consistently stellar output.
LibraryThing member hellobooks45
My favorite Spinelli book.
LibraryThing member rebecca8
Although this book is obviously created by a great author (great descriptions of situations), the plot is strange. But the way the author puts you in the same kind of situation 9 and 10 year old boys are in and explains the emotions so in depth that you feel the same, you can't help but enjoy the
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content even if the story is pretty unique. Show Less
LibraryThing member mjt041
This book is about a boy named Palmer. In his town when boys turn ten they have to become "Wringers" where they wring pigeons necks for the whole town. Palmer does not want to participate and he even is keeping a pigeon in his room. I think this book is okay. I personally had to read it in middle
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school. It was a decent book but I was not much of a fan. I do not think I would read this book in my middle school classroom. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Award (Nominee — 2000)
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2000)
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Junior — 2000)
Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2001)
William Allen White Children's Book Award (Nominee — 1999-2000)
Newbery Medal (Honor Book — 1998)
Golden Archer Award (Nominee — 2000)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee — Grades 6-9 — 2000)
Flicker Tale Award (Nominee — Juvenile Books — 1999)
Colorado Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2000)
Carolyn W. Field Award (Winner — Children's — 1998)
CCBC Choices (1997)
NCTE Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K—Grade 6 (12th Edition: 1996-1998)
Read Aloud Indiana Book Award (Middle School — 1998)
Notable Children's Book (1998)
Language
Original publication date
1997
Physical description
228 p.; 20 cm
ISBN
0060249137 / 9780060249137