Review of “Whirligig,” by Paul Fleischman

“Whirligig,” by Paul Fleischman is a powerful novel about the complex interactions that spring from a single tragic event.

The main character is sixteen-year-old Brent Bishop, a young man who is desperate to fit in with the other kids at his school. His life completely changes however, when his drunk driving results in an accident that takes the life of another young person, 18 year old Lea Zamora. When he is charged with drunk driving and manslaughter Brent comes to realize the full implication of his actions. As part of restitution Brent must carry out a rather unusual request that Lea’s mother makes of him.

“My father is a very fine carpenter. Lea was his first grandchild. When she was little, he made her lots of wooden toys. Her favorite was a whirligig, of a girl with arms that spin in the wind. He painted the face to look like her. We‘ve had it on a pole in our yard forever. Hundreds of people over the years have noticed it, and stopped, and smiled. Just like people smiled at Lea…

This is my only request. That you make four whirligigs, of a girl that looks like Lea. Put her name on them. Then set them up in Washington, California, Florida, and Maine-the corners of the United States. Let people all over the country receive joy from her even though she‘s gone. You make the smiles that she would have made.”

And so Brent begins a unique journey around the United States. Along the way he learns about what really matters in life, developing better character traits at the same time. “Whirligig” focuses on Brent’s journey and his creation of the four whirligigs, but it also shows the results of his work.

The four whirligigs bring peace to a girl and her grandmother, transform the life of a street sweeper, bring love to a lonely schoolgirl, and help a mother be a better parent. Fleischman’s wonderful novel shows the far reaching effects of Lea’s death, that every action, good and bad causes a wave of reaction all around the world, and that all that happens is interconnected like a great moving whirligig.

I would highly recommend “Whirligig.” It has become one of my favorite books, both for its deep message and the wonderful writing style of its Newberry Medal-winning author.

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