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Whirligig by Paul Fleischman
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Whirligig (1998)

by Paul Fleischman

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
5992314,958 (3.85)9
  1. 00
    The First Stone by Don Aker (fountainoverflows)
    fountainoverflows: Another powerful story for older teens of a boy's spiritual/emotional growth after he throws a stone from an overpass onto a young woman's car windshield, seriously injuring her. Language may be an issue for younger readers.
  2. 00
    Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen (fountainoverflows)
    fountainoverflows: Like Whirligig, a story of a boy's atonement and personal growth.
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Very good, very moving story of redemption. Plus I just like Fleischman. He doesn't pull any crazy stunts. Very effective. ( )
  akmargie | Apr 4, 2013 |
This is one intense book, no kidding. But if you're expecting an action-packed thrillride full of kick-butt Hunger Games-style shenanigans (although, given the title, you'd have to employ a HUGE stretch of imagination), you'd better go find yourself another book. And if you're looking for mere vapid fluff, it would be best to try somewhere else as well...because Whirligig is a gorgeous, quiet, serious read that promotes thought and reflection. Please see the rest of my review on my blog, The Door is Ajar, at http://shernor2.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/whirligig/.
  SherNor | May 17, 2012 |
teen drunk driver comes of age travelling to "plant" memorial whirligigs

4.99 ( )
  aletheia21 | Mar 18, 2012 |
Good, deep book ( )
  Lynniesmith | Dec 13, 2011 |
Brent is a teenager who tries to commit suicide while driving. His attempt at suicide results in the death of a teenage girl, rather than himself. Brent just wants to get away; making and placing four whirligigs at each corner of the U.S. per request of the girl's mother is his ticket to getting away. Along his journey alone, Brent learns a lot about himself and matures.

The book would be useful in a discussion about how outcomes can seem so clear, but something different results. ( )
  Jill.Barrington | Oct 23, 2011 |
Showing 1-5 of 23 (next | show all)
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Epigraph
Dedication
For Honey and for Pearl
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Brent turned toward his clock.
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We never know all the consequences of our acts. They reach into places we can't see. And into the future, where no one can.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0440228352, Mass Market Paperback)

Brent Bishop longs to have the popular Brianna strolling around school on his arm. But when she rejects him at a classmate's party, Brent's hopes for popularity are instantly shattered. Devastated, he tries to destroy himself in a car crash... but instead kills an innocent girl named Lea.

Instead of sending him to jail, Lea's parents challenge Brent to create four whirligigs modeled on a picture of Lea and position them at the four corners of the United States. Lea's mother hopes that the whirligig that used to delight Lea will be a fitting memorial for her precious daughter. She sends Brent off with an unlimited bus ticket, a few pieces of wood, and the tools to memorialize Lea. On his mission to preserve his victim's memory, Brent ultimately rediscovers his own love of life.

(retrieved from Amazon Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:00:05 -0500)

(see all 4 descriptions)

While traveling to each corner of the country to build a whirligig in memory of the girl whose death he caused, sixteen-year-old Brian finds forgiveness and atonement.

» see all 3 descriptions

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