From: Steven
Date: Tue, 10 Feb 1998 08:50:24 PST

I think the mixture of realism and "implausible elements" is what made Wringer work. If it had been just pure fable, I don't think readers would care as much about Palmer. Spinelli's characters and language are very real, sometimes painfully so. But adding a bit of almost-magic made the action, especially the ending, resonate beyond Palmer's own individual experiences. It's tricky for an author to do, and I don't blame some readers for not swallowing it...the same thing happens with some kids who either love or hate "Maniac Magee;" and I thought it didn't quite work in "Library Card," Spinelli's other book last year. Like "Out of the Dust," I think
"Wringer" is not for everyone, but it will have a big impact on the readers it reaches.

-------------------------------------------------------Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library 1595 Burns Streeet West Linn, OR 97068 ph: 503e6x57 fax: 503e6'46 e-mail: steven at westlinn.lib.or.us
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Received on Tue 10 Feb 1998 10:50:24 AM CST