Palmer LaRue is a little boy driven by his simultaneous desire to feel accepted but to also remain true to himself. For most of the novel, these desires are at odds. When Palmer first turns nine-years-old, he’s thrilled to finally be accepted by Beans, Mutto, and Henry—the toughest and most respected boys on the street. At first, he’s happy to do whatever they want because he thinks it will make them like him more. He even goes along with their cruel antics towards his neighbor and former friend Dorothy because he so desperately wants to be liked by them. The need for acceptance from the boys eventually fades after he befriends Nipper—his pigeon and friend.

Palmer has always known that he never, ever wanted to be a wringer. While hanging out with Beans, Mutto, and Henry, he had to pretend to want to be a wringer for fear of being rejected. But once he takes Nipper in as his pet and rekindles his friendship with Dorothy, he realizes that he doesn’t want to be friends with Beans and the other boys. He only continues to hang out with them because he’s afraid of what they’ll do if he leaves.