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Loser

By Jerry Spinelli

14 ratings13 reviews16 followers

From the author of STARGIRL, a powerful novel of a young boy who is like all kids, yet unlike all kids. Loser is unique, a one-off, a touching and powerful book about the pull o... (more)

From the author of STARGIRL, a powerful novel of a young boy who is like all kids, yet unlike all kids. Loser is unique, a one-off, a touching and powerful book about the pull of individuality over the need to fit in...Donald Zinkoff has a problem. And it isn't just his name. Though, having a name beginning with Z does cause him lots of problems, not least making him last to be called for everything. Donald's main problem is his happiness; his enthusiasm - particularly for school where he arrives early every day. His happiness leads to laughter - loud laughter. It sometimes gets him into trouble at school. It sometimes gives people the wrong impression. His classmates think he is bonkers, a bit of a problem, a loser. But Donald is blissfully unaware of this. He thinks when they cheer and jeer him, that they like him. He thinks when they don't pick him for their team, oh well, maybe tomorrow. Donald is the eternal optimist - a delight. Throughout his school life there are people that recognize his individuality and admire him; two of his teachers; the old lady he 'delivers' mail too; Claudia, the little girl who lives down the road, always on a harness, in case she runs away; The Waiting Man - still waiting after thirty years for his son to return from Vietnam. And most of all, his parents, and sister, Polly, who love him to bits and will always be there to support him.The novel offers snapshots of Donald's life as he progresses through his first year in school, to his graduation to High School. It is warm, witty and wonderful and has the reader reaching for a hanky and shouting 'Go, Donald, go!' simultaneously. With some of his finest writing to date, Jerry Spinelli uses wit and emotion to create this unique novel about a unique person. As with Stargirl and Wringer, the author writes about the power of individuality over the need to fit in; the importance of attitudes to failure and how any name can ultimately be replaced with 'hero'. (less)

Paperback, 224 pages

Published on July 29, 2003 by HarperCollins

ISBN-10: 0060540745

ISBN-13: 9780060540746

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13 Book Reviews

zaira256/12/2013
this book is really good because it shows how this kid named Zinkoff and he is having a very hard time at school. And his future job is a mailman, but, his father cant take him to work because he will get fired so on a Sunday since his father doesn't diliver mail on a Sunday he had Zinkoff diliver his own mail on a a Sunday
jbalderrama2/26/2013
This book is about a kid named zinkoff and he is having a hard time at school then his dad helps him out by letting his son go to work with him you got to read the book.
akaneoncityligh2/25/2013 4 stars
i read it, and i sort of don't understand the book, but for some reason, to me its so sad.
rlockhart2/25/2013 5 stars
I loved this book it's about a boy named Donald Zinkoff,he doesn't quite fit in.When he was born he had an upside down stomach valve.He doesn't have any friends,and he likes school. To find out more read,Loser by Jerry Spinelli.
cbaca2/22/2013 5 stars
This book is about a kid named zinkoff and his life is really really hard. His dad has bought like 7 cars. He goes to school and his teacher tells him how many days of school he has left in his life. In the end he turns into a hero.
- cbaca2/22/2013 5 stars
  He has no idea what school is like.
ccramer2/22/2013
I read the book loser. It is a very good book about a clumsy kid named Zingkof. He is constantly puking because he has a upside down stomach valve. The ending of the book is kind of sad,but it is still a really good book. You have got to read the book!!!!!!!!!!
louis12/14/2012 5 stars
At the begging it not interesting but the back tells you all about it
20tkustwan11/13/2012
This book is really good! It's about a kid named Zinkoff and his life is really hard. Some kids are really mean to him. He gets very emotional when they do that. Ex) When they had field day, they did races. Zinkoff's team lost all because of him. He got really upset because they kept yelling at him. I would highly recommend this book! :)
myia squirewell11/2/2012
I totally love this book!!!!
cheesy11/1/2012 5 stars
The book Loser by Jerry Spinelli is so emotional. The book is about a boy that is not really a hero in the beginning, but is a hero towards the end.