Wringer

Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the weight of peer pressure or facing a moral dilemma where the right choice is the unpopular one. Wringer follows nine-year-old Palmer, who lives in a town where boys are expected to participate in a violent annual tradition: killing wounded pigeons. As he nears the age of initiation, Palmer is caught between the desire to fit in with his peers and his secret compassion for a pigeon he has befriended. This is a deeply felt exploration of integrity, empathy, and the courage required to stand alone. While it addresses themes of animal cruelty and bullying with raw honesty, it serves as a powerful catalyst for conversations about personal values versus community traditions. It is best suited for mature middle-grade readers who are ready to engage with complex emotional truths and the difficult path of growing up.