From Newbery Medal winner Jerry Spinelli comes a gripping tale of how one boy learns how not to be afraid. For as long as Palmer LaRue can remember, he has dreaded the day he turns ten--the day he'll take his place beside the other ten-year-old boys in town and become a wringer. Will he find the courage to stand up to his town? 1998 Newbery Honor Book; ALA Notable Children's Books of 1998; "School Library Journal" Best Books of 1997.