33 pages • 1 hour read
Jerry SpinelliWringer
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1996A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Jerry Spinelli’s 1997 middle-grade novel Wringer, Palmer LaRue dreads turning ten because it means participating in a town tradition as a "wringer" who kills wounded pigeons during the annual Family Fest, a week-long event culminating in a mass pigeon shooting. Struggling to reconcile his fear and societal expectations, Palmer finds courage through his friendship with a pigeon named Nipper and reconnecting with his compassionate former friend, Dorothy. Killing animals for sport is a part of the book.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Wringer by Jerry Spinelli engages readers with its delicate exploration of peer pressure and ethical dilemmas faced by young protagonists. Critics appreciate Spinelli's compelling narrative and well-developed characters, though some feel the story's darker themes may be intense for younger audiences. Overall, its moral complexity is widely praised, though its intense moments might be challenging for sensitive readers.
Who Should Read Wringer?
Readers who enjoy Wringer by Jerry Spinelli often appreciate coming-of-age stories with deep emotional conflicts and moral dilemmas. Fans of Louis Sachar’s Holes and Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet will likely be drawn to Spinelli’s exploration of peer pressure, tradition, and the struggle for individual identity amidst societal expectations.
RecommendedReading Age
9-12yearsLexile Level
690LBook Details
Realistic Fiction
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Children's Literature
Bullying
Animals
Relationships
Emotions/Behavior: Fear
Emotions/Behavior: Guilt
Life/Time: Childhood & Youth