Wringer by Jerry Spinelli

As part of our literature circle, the students choice to take part in a “blog.” The blog served as an exciting way to integrate technology and literacy standards. The book they chose is Wringer by Jerry Spinelli. The first six questions posted on this blog are created by the students. The questions following the student’s questions, served as the “teacher question” part of the literature circle process. As another extension, the students have an ongoing blog to serve as their writing porfolio (see the link category “student’s pages.”)

If you were in Palmers shoes do you think you would want to be in that town?
So if you cared for a pigeon how he does, do you think you could still wring it?
Explain.

Why else do you think that Palmer kept both the pigeon in his room a secret and the secret about him fearing the fact that he would have to become a wringer on his tenth birthday?

If there was another sequel for Wringer, what would it be about and why do you choose that?

Why do you think Palmer didn’t like pigeon day?

How come Palmer and his friends have to be a wringer? How come Palmer doesn’t want to be a wringer if his friends were? Where did Palmer’s friend take Palmer when they snuck Palmer out of the house?

When the boys snuck Palmer out of his house they lead him to an old shed. When they went in all the boys, except for Palmer walked up to some crates, and then they soon opened them. Birds flew out of them all the boys except Palmer held their hands like they had a gun in it, and shouted BANG and BOOM and BOW! But Palmer stood there with his eyes opened wide; he didn’t move he stood like he was paralyzed. Why do you think Palmer didn’t move? What do you think he was feeling?

Why do you think the author chooses to end the story with a question from a child in the crowd asking for a pigeon as a pet?

Explain this quotation: “of boys and pigeons, it is the boy who, so to speak, wears the collar… it is never the pigeon, but the boy, who is lost.” Do you agree or disagree that pigeons have more freedom than boys? Explain.

How is Pigeon Day as he nears ten different from how Palmer remembers it when he was very young? Why do you think he remembers certain details differently?

Palmer’s mother says his father has been changing. What do you think she means by this? How do these changes show in his father’s actions?

His sleeve rolled up, about to receive The Treatment, Palmer suddenly says “no.” What is he saying no to? What makes him suddenly able to refuse?

Some people, including Palmer’s father and the wringmaster, defend the pigeon shoot because it raises money for the park. Do you think this is a good argument? Why or why not?

Does Palmer really have to become a wringer when he turns ten? Dorothy says he doesn’t if he doesn’t want to. Palmer says she doesn’t understand because she’s a girl. “I can’t not be a wringer… You have to be a wringer. That’s how it always was.” Who do you think is right? Explain why.

Why do you think Dorothy tries to ignore the guys when they tease, tree stump, and attack her?

After Palmer feeds the pigeon for the first time he keeps asking himself, “Why did I do that? But he knew why. He just did not want to say, not even to himself”. What do you think it is that Palmer doesn’t want to say? Why do you think Palmer risks his reputation to care for Nipper?

Palmer’s mother says Beans has a “mean streak.” Palmer’s father says he’s a “pip.” Until the end of the book, Palmer would follow Beans anywhere. Explain each person’s perspective. (explain why Mom feels this way and why Dad feels his way). How would YOU describe Beans?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of receiving The Treatment (page 21)? Why do you think the boys seek it out?

Since this is our first blog, we’ll start with a practice comment before we start our questions for Wringer. Click on “comment” and respond to this question. Then you will click Publish.

Do you think using a blog with your literature discussions will make your reading time more interesting? Tell me why you think this way.