Newbery Honor Book * ALA Notable Children's Book

“Deeply felt. Presents a moral question with great care and sensitivity.” —The New York Times

“A spellbinding story about rites of passage.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A realistic story with the intensity of a fable.” —The Horn Book (starred review)

“Thought-provoking.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

In Palmer LaRue's hometown of Waymer, turning ten is the biggest event of a boy's life. But for Palmer, his tenth birthday is not something to look forward to, but something to dread. Then one day, a visitor appears on his windowsill, and Palmer knows that this, more than anything else, is a sign that his time is up. Somehow, he must learn how to stop being afraid and stand up for what he believes in.

Wringer is a powerful tour de force from Newbery Medal winner Jerry Spinelli.