63 pages 2 hours read

Paul Fleischman

Whirligig

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1998

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Whirligig by Paul Fleischman, 17-year-old Brent Bishop, who struggles with fitting in and social pressure, inadvertently causes a fatal car accident and, as part of restitution, is tasked with building whirligigs in four corners of the United States to honor the victim, Lea Zamora. Brent's cross-country journey becomes one of self-discovery, transformation, and atonement. This book contains themes of guilt and redemption following a tragic accident.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Readers and critics praise Paul Fleischman’s Whirligig for its richly woven narrative and thought-provoking themes of redemption and interconnectedness. The novel's unique storytelling structure, using different perspectives, is lauded but can be challenging for some. Characters are well-developed, though the pacing may feel slow to some readers. Overall, it's a compelling read for thoughtful audiences.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Whirligig?

Readers who enjoy introspective, coming-of-age stories will find Whirligig by Paul Fleischman captivating. Similar in spirit to Holes by Louis Sachar and Crash by Jerry Spinelli, it appeals to middle and high school students who are interested in themes of redemption, personal growth, and interconnected lives.

RecommendedReading Age

12-16years

Lexile Level

760L

Book Details

Themes

Life/Time: Birth

Genre

Children's Literature

Education

Realistic Fiction

Topics

Education

Grief / Death