Most people don't have anything against pigeons, but this town does. Every year at Family Fest, on the last day, there is a pigeon shooting competition. If there is a wounded pigeon a wringer takes care of it. In this town all ten year old boys want to be wringers. Except for Palmer LaRue. He doesn't get why people want to hurt pigeons. What did pigeons ever do to them?
When an unexpected visitor ends up at Palmer's window, he realizes that he has to make a decision, and a big one. One path will make him an outcast forever, and the other will leave him with a horrible secret for the rest of his life. Despite the freaky cover and sketchy name it wasn't very scary at all. The plot had slight rises, but nothing crazy, more like real life. Jerry Spinelli did a great job of showing the emotions throughout the book. I give it a 4 out of 5.
I'm okay with "more like real life" books; they can be relaxing after a bunch of pixies and trolls and spies and whatnot. This book sounds straightforward and as though it made you think about bigger issues about how people and animals can co-habitate. Excellent review.
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