It all started with the move to Chicago. Brent Bishop just started going to a new school in a new city when he was presented with the opportunity to make a move on a girl he likes, so he attends a party with his friend. After being rejected by the girl in front of the host’s friends, he drowns his pain in alcohol. His one chance to be popular, wasted. In his drunken daze, Brent decides to end his life. In traffic he lets go of the steering wheel and collides with another car. Unfortunately for him, Brent isn’t the one who dies.
    Author Paul Fleischman’s works include over 45 plays, books, and poetry. Following in his father’s footsteps he began writing in college. Fleischman has won many awards such as the Newbery and California Young Reader medals. From the perspective of many different characters, he unfolds a series of stories all connected by one person. This person is Lea.
At the loss of their daughter, Lea’s family gives Brent two choices-Jail time or a job to do. He chooses option two. His task will take him across the country, with only a backpack and a bus pass. In honor of Lea he must make four whirligigs and plant them at the four corners of the U.S. Also experience the stories of 4 others, lives all changed by the whirligig.
Whirligig is great for anyone looking for a quick heartfelt read. I fully recommend this book to teens and parents. The characters grab you with their first words and don't let go until the last page. Whirligig is full of emotional ups and downs that will leave you wanting to read more.