Wringer

The “Hook”
“Arthur Dodds exploded. ‘Sissymissy!
Girlbaby!’ He gave the swing chain such a yank
that Palmer was thrown like a bronco rider onto
the ground. Arthur Dodds took off, braying,
‘I’m a wringer, I’m a wringer! I’m gonna get me
a pigeon and wring ‘im!’
And he did."
(p. 48)

“By the time Arthur got there, the pigeon
was on the ground and being chased around
the picnic tables by half a dozen squealing toddlers.
Arthur joined the chase. The bird flapped up
onto a table…. Arthur lunged across the table,
knocking drinks, smashing pickled eggs, and snatched the
pigeon by the legs in a bowl of chicken salad.
According to the story, Arthur threw his arms
into the air like a boxing champion and crowed,
‘Got me one!’ Then right before the gaping
eyes of the picnickers, he wrung its neck."
(p. 49)

My recommendation:
Have you ever had an experience that you didn’t want to experience? If you do, then you have a connection with Palmer! Palmer is a 9-year-old boy but he has one problem: he is running out of birthdays. And what exactly do I mean by that? Well, in just one year he is going to become ten years old, an age an average child in Palmer’s town would be looking forward to turn. Only he isn’t looking forward for his tenth birthday, because he is going to soon become a wringer at that age. A wringer in Palmer’s town means a boy who twists pigeon’s necks when they aren’t dead in a pigeon-shooting contest. This turns out to be a big problem for Palmer because his father was one too and encourages him to become like him. Plus, Palmer has made 3 friends, all which either are wringers or want to be wringers. Things even worsen when a mysterious bird shows up at his window. What is the bird like? Where does he truly belong? Would Palmer regret letting the bird in his room? Read this book to find out!

Recommendation by Juan Pablo Perez Zafra