"Whirligig" is a novel by Paul Fleischman that follows the journey of a teenager named Brent Bishop. After a tragic incident, Brent is sent on a road trip across the United States to create whirligigs, which are wooden toys that spin in the wind. Each whirligig he makes symbolizes a connection to the people he meets along the way. The story is structured around four different characters who are impacted by Brent's actions and the whirligigs he creates. Through these interconnected narratives, the novel explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the ripple effect of one's choices on others.