Wringer

Palmer LaRue is running out of birthdays. For as long as he can remember, he’s dreaded the day he turns ten, the day he’s supposed to become a wringer.
In Palmer’s hometown of Waymer, a boy’s tenth birthday is the biggest event of his life. It marks the day that he is ready to take his place as a wringer at the annual family fest, Pigeon Day. It’s an honour and a tradition. But even though he would rather stay nine for the rest of his life than become a wringer, Palmer can’t stop himself from getting older. Then an unwanted visitor arrives on his windowsill, and Palmer knows that it is a sign. Somehow, he must find a way to break tradition. He must learn how to stop being afraid, and stand up for what he believes in.

“"Deeply felt. Presents a moral question with great care and sensitivity."New York Times "[A] spellbinding story about rites of passage."Starred Review/ Publishers'Weekly "As in Maniac Magree, Spinelli invests a realistic story with the intensity of a fable."Starred Review The Horn Book”

"Deeply felt. Presents a moral question with great care and sensitivity." New York Times "[A] spellbinding story about rites of passage." Starred Review/ Publishers' Weekly "As in Maniac Magree, Spinelli invests a realistic story with the intensity of a fable." Starred Review The Horn Book

Jerry Spinelli’s novels are recognized for their humour and poignancy and his characters and situations are often drawn from his real life experiences as the father of six children. He lives with his wife, Eileen, also a writer in Phoenixville, PA, USA.

For as long as he can remember, Palmer has dreaded his birthdays. On his ninth birthday he has to take The Treatment, to be initiated into the coolest gang in town. On his tenth birthday, he has to become a wringer and finish off the pigeons at the annual pigeon-shoot. But Palmer has to find a way to break this tradition, to stop being afraid and stand up for what he truly believes in. "In Spinelli's hands, the bizarre never alienates, it fascinates. Wringer closes with physical and emotional bravery which is almost literally breathtaking. Palmer Larue is truly a memorable hero."'Guardian' "Weird and pacey, this novel is utterly compelling with boy characters who never fail to convince."'Scotsman' "The novel is a brilliant exposition of the way boys subscribe to cruelty in order to belong."'Sunday Times'

Palmer LaRue is running out of birthdays. For as long as he can remember, he's dreaded the day he turns ten, the day he's supposed to become a wringer. In Palmer's hometown of Waymer, a boy's tenth birthday is the biggest event of his life. It marks the day that he is ready to take his place as a wringer at the annual family fest, Pigeon Day. It's an honour and a tradition. But even though he would rather stay nine for the rest of his life than become a wringer, Palmer can't stop himself from getting older. Then an unwanted visitor arrives on his windowsill, and Palmer knows that it is a sign. Somehow, he must find a way to break tradition. He must learn how to stop being afraid, and stand up for what he believes in.

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