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Whirligig
Whirligig
Author: Paul Fleischman
When sixteen-year-old Brent Bishop inadvertently causes the death of a young woman, he is sent on an unusual journey of repentance, building wind toys across the land. — In his most ambitious novel to date, Newbery winner Paul Fleischman traces Brent's healing pilgrimage from Washington State to California, Florida, and Maine, and describes t...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780440228356
ISBN-10: 0440228352
Publication Date: 1999
Pages: 144
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 26

4 stars, based on 26 ratings
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

nayten avatar reviewed Whirligig on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
One of my favorite books growing up. Conveys that no matter how bleak things may end up, that life has a particular meaning and purpose for all of us.
Read All 4 Book Reviews of "Whirligig"

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Apollyn avatar reviewed Whirligig on + 26 more book reviews
After reading the first chapter of this book I had my doubts about the rest of it. I am definitely glad that I chose to continue reading, especially since the second chapter is my favorite.

Even though the book is extremely short, it packs an amazing amount of thought and emotion in its pages. By the end of each chapter you are given another perspective in which to view the consequences of our thoughts and actions.

The main characters interaction with a painter in one chapter really stuck with me and made me reflect on my decisions and the mark I want to leave behind after I'm gone.

It's just amazing to think about the chain reaction one thing can cause and how it can change one person, or even multiple people's lives.

This book is definitely a must read and I would recommend it to anyone. There are a diverse set of characters, so identifying with at least one shouldn't be too difficult.

Back of book description:

Brent Bishop is sent on a journey of repentance - a cross-country trip building whirligigs. His wind toys are found by people in need: A Maine schoolgirl yearning for her first love, a Miami street-sweeper desperate for peace and quiet, a kid in Washington who just wants to play baseball, and a San Diego teenager dealing with loss. Brent's whirligigs bring hope to others, but will they be able to heal the wounds deep inside himself?
dbliss avatar reviewed Whirligig on + 2 more book reviews
Thought provoking. Gets teens think outside of themselves.
reviewed Whirligig on + 5 more book reviews
A story about a young man who must travel to the four fourners of the United States to set up whirligigs in commemoration of a young girl he killed in as an attmept to kill himself in a car accident. An easy read that is geared towards teenagers as a way to consider their actions.


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