Whirligig

Whirligig

• Genre: Fiction; young adult realistic
• Originally Published: 1998
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 760L; grades 7-12
• Structure/Length: 9 parts; approximately 144 pages; approximately 3 hours, 35 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The central conflict in the story follows Brent Bishop, a teenage boy who, in a moment of reckless driving, causes a tragic accident that results in the death of another young girl. As part of his court-ordered restitution, Brent embarks on a journey to create four unique whirligigs (kinetic sculptures) across the United States, each with a specific message of hope and healing. Along the way, he encounters various people who are touched by his creations. The novel explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of art to transform lives.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Death of a teen; use of alcohol; suicidal ideation; attempt at suicide; guilt; mild, brief profanity

Paul Fleischman, Author

• Bio: Born 1952; American author known for his works of children's and young adult literature; recipient of the Newbery Medal for Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices; known for his storytelling technique and ability to address important themes in accessible ways
• Other Works: Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices (1989); Bull Run (1993): Seedfolks (1997); Eyes Wide Open: Going Behind the Environmental Headlines (2014)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• The Far-Reaching and Unknowable Consequences of Actions
• Materialism as Unfulfilling
• Karass
• Atonement and Rebirth

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the sociological and psychological contexts regarding materialism and social expectations, as it relates to Brent’s journey.
• Analyze paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of The Far-Reaching and Unknowable Consequences of Actions, Materialism as Unfulfilling, Karass, and Atonement and Rebirth.
• Design, sketch, and label a whirligig that represents Brent’s character arc based on text details.
• Analyze and evaluate plot and character details to draw conclusions in structured essay responses regarding Brent’s evolution as a character, the idea of Karass, and other topics.