Books Like Wringer
Families who loved Wringer by Jerry Spinelli often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved Wringer by Jerry Spinelli often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the pressure to fit in or is facing a difficult choice between following the crowd and following their conscience. Wringer is a powerful exploration of a boy named Palmer who lives in a town where turning ten means participating in a violent local tradition: wringing the necks of wounded pigeons after an annual shoot. Palmer's secret bond with a pet pigeon brings his internal conflict to a head as he nears the dreaded birthday. The story provides a profound look at peer pressure, the development of empathy, and the quiet courage required to stand alone. It is developmentally appropriate for middle-grade readers but deals with heavy themes of animal cruelty and social isolation. Parents might choose this book to help a child process the discomfort of 'boy culture' expectations or to validate the feeling that it is okay to disagree with an established norm, even when that norm is celebrated by the adults in their community.
