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Loser by Jerry Spinelli
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Loser (edition 2003)

by Jerry Spinelli (Author)

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3,861733,161 (3.76)8
I was absolutely enamored by the character of Donald Zinkoff. The only words that I can use to truly describe this kid are eclectic and passionate. I feel that far too many middle readers advocate for losing one's idiosyncrasies, even if they don't mean to, just because they are not societally acceptable. "Loser" does not do this at all, rather, it celebrates Donald and shows that his quirks make him truly exceptional. I feel that this would be a wonderful book to have kids read because, as I read the book, Donald really became a real person to me (kudos Spinelli for introducing us) and he taught me two things that I would love for kids reading this to also takeaway, in addition to their own thoughts and conclusions about the story. First, this story teaches one to never give up what makes them unique. Further, "Loser" advocates for not caring what others thing and only paying mind to the unique things that make you happy. Secondly, this book taught me to be careful before I judge. Many of Zinkoff's actions on the surface could be initially characterized as either being careless of having an exaggerated amount of care, however, all of Donald's actions really come from a place of making himself and other's as happy as possible. I think that the big takeaway from this book is that everyone is different, however, we should all be using our unique means to make ourselves and everyone around us happy, rather than trying to conform at the expense of those we see as different from what society tells us is "cool". We should all forget about being "cool" or "losers" and just be ourselves. ( )
  alaina.loescher | Aug 23, 2015 |
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I just can't figure out how to rate this book. On one hand, I found the main character so interesting and the various short stories about his life so touching. On the other hand, I can't say that as a whole I loved this book. I also can't really imaging my 10 year old enjoying this book. ( )
  CarolHicksCase | Mar 12, 2023 |
Loser

I really enjoyed the book Loser for two reasons. Throughout the book, the main character, Zinkoff, wasn’t very good at things, but he never stopped trying his best and doing what he enjoyed doing. Even when people at school began making fun of him and calling him “Loser” he continued to be himself and do kind things for others. I really liked the style of this book, and I think it would be great for upper elementary school students to read.
  mmcgui12 | May 4, 2020 |
I loved this book for many reasons. “Loser” is about this young boy named Donald Zinkoff (everyone calls him Zinkoff) who is considered a bit peculiar to others. Zinkoff struggles to make friends as he is isn’t smart in school, non-athletic, and constantly laughing. Time and time again, Zinkoff never fails to make a fool of himself until one day he nearly dies trying to find a young child, Claudia. Through the struggles he faces, he always stays true to himself. To start off, the first reason I love this book is because of the repetitive language in the book. For example, as Zinkoff gets older, “he no longer wears paper stars on his shirts… he replaces his little kid giggle with a big kid laugh…he no longer yells “yahoo…” he admits to sleeping.” The author repeats the word “he” and throughout the book, there are also may other uses of repetition. The second reason I like book is because of the characters. Spinelli is very descriptive when introducing the characters. For example, when describing the old woman, he says “she is the color of white mice: pink scalp showing through her white hair, pink eyelids. Her eyes are watery, but she is not crying.” Through this description, we can assume the old woman is very old. The third reason I enjoyed this book is because it pushes readers to think about tough issues such as bullying and not fitting in which perfectly describes Zinkoff’s early childhood. I believe the overall big message of this book is that it is important to stay true to yourself despite what others think or say about you. ( )
  hmorri10 | Apr 1, 2020 |
This novel by Jerry Spinelli tells a story about a young boy named Donald, but everyone calls him by his last name, Zinkoff. Zinkoff is a very likable character and one that is very amusing to read about. He is very charismatic and always positive. The book follows Zinkoff through his elementary and middle school years. There's a lot that changes, including the addition of his little sister, Polly. Although ZInkoff is very bright and positive, he goes through some hardships and times of rejection. This book helps to shine a light on some issues of bullying and isolation that some children may go through. The book is written in a third-person point of view which, in my opinion, makes the reader distant from the main characters. If it was written in Zinkoff's point of view, I think that readers could relate more and understand Zinkoff's actions and emotions more. I will admit that at times it was good to know certain things about some characters because it helped develop the storyline and the third person allows for the author to do that. There is a point in the book where Zinkoff's true intentions shine and readers learn just how caring of a person he is. It is when he goes out looking for the missing girl, Claudia. This book's main message is that no matter how harsh life can get, to always have a positive outlook. ( )
  cerrig1 | Mar 22, 2020 |
Loser by Jerry Spinelli focuses on Donald Zinkoff and his travels through school. We learn to love him and root for him; hoping things will go his way. Even when they don’t his kindness and positive energy is an inspiration. I would recommend this book to kids in upper elementary school or middle school students. Many would be able to relate to Zinkoff and his trials and tribulations; others could maybe understand things from the other side. My heart went out to Zinkoff and I wanted to help him. I think we all know kids that see the world in a different way and Loser is a good example of why we should be a little more patient with others and give them a chance. This is a great book for discussions about life and doing the right thing!
( )
  Robinsonstef | Jul 10, 2019 |
What exactly defines a Loser when you don't think of yourself that way ( )
  lindamamak | Sep 1, 2018 |
After one of my fourth graders recommended this book to me saying "it was the best book I've ever read", I had to read it! A touching story about a child's journey through first -5th grade. A bullied child, a different child, an innocent child, a child who loves school and learning, and a selfless child... A good read. ( )
  mpettit7974 | Dec 21, 2017 |
This was a wonderful book. I love how it talks about a young boy who gets bullied and called a loser, who then looks at life completely different. He views himself as a star and how he is the star of his own life. He went through life knowing that he was different. Connecting to this book, it made me feel so good knowing I wasn't the only one who thought this way. I think to extremely important when a child can connect to a book. When a child feels connected to a book,i t makes them more interested in the book. ( )
  Katelynbarnes | Oct 31, 2017 |
I really enjoyed this book but some parts of it were a little difficult to go through because it seemed pretty down and depressing for most of the book until the very end. I had hoped that there would be more traces of optimism or hope in the end but it seemed pretty gloomy until the end. However, I did like that the author included an ending that had a closure for the protagonist who found a resolution within himself despite the circumstances not changing. I liked that the character had a self-realization and acceptance at the end even though people did not treat him differently: his perspective changed his outlook on life. The journey of Zinkoff (protagonist) started out as innocent and unaware of being an outcast, and later on, as he grew, he was able to recognize the difference in how people treated him, but did not let that affect who he was as a person and how he saw himself. I like that the author didn’t just change everything about Zinkoff’s surroundings and bullying situation, but rather, he changed himself even if he couldn’t change what was happening to him. I also liked how the author talked about such a difficult topic in a realistic way that didn’t over fantasize bullying, but stuck to a realistic experience that a child reading this book could potentially be facing in their own lives. Zinkoff didn’t have an easy way out or a cliché way of dealing with his problems, instead, the author purposefully didn’t create a solution to his problems, but hints at the hope towards the end without fully giving away a ‘happy’ ending that most children’s books revolve around. I also enjoyed the little climax plot twist at the end when the suspense was being built when Zinkoff tried to prove himself by finding a missing girl by himself in the cold. At the end, Zinkoff realizes that the person in real danger was himself, and people were looking for him as he was missing and close to a deadly situation out in the cold. This ending brings a lot of suspense and excitement to the climax of the story that the reader will cling on to. Even though I thought the climax should have more build up, it was still important to have the setting created first to paint a picture of the internal struggle Zinkoff faced before his conflict with nature occurred. The moral of the story is talked about in the end when Zinkoff realizes at the darkest part of his life, there were still many people who loved and cared about him regardless of his own uniqueness or difference. I think this book has a great point about learning to accept yourself and realizing that each person is unique in their own ways, and sometimes that the situation won’t change, but your attitude and outlook ( )
  Gkoo1 | Oct 31, 2017 |
I enjoyed this book for three reasons. First, I think this book would be very relatable for young children because it discusses a student who seems to be different and is made fun of for his behavior. But going off of that, another reason why I liked this book was that there was a happy ending. For example, the main character ended up being accepted for who he is from his classmates and I think that is very important in a children’s book. It is great to present a problem that kids may be able to relate to but I think it is even more important to have a hopeful ending so that kids can leave feeling better about their situation. Lastly, I thought it was interesting that the author wrote entirely in present tense throughout the book. This is not common so I think this is a great addition to show children a variety of different types of writing.
  gnam2 | Oct 26, 2017 |
Donald Zinkoff is a Yong boy who we follow from first through 5th grade. he is an exuberant fellow who doesn't realize that he is an outsider, a "leftover. he is loved by his family and some teachers but teased and belittled by most of his classmates. A good book for grade school students who can learn a valuable lesson re differences. ( )
  AstridG | Apr 25, 2017 |
I really enjoyed reading this book for many reasons. First, the characters are believable and relatable. Although I've never experienced being a "loser" growing up, I know many young students can relate to the emotions felt and written by Jerry. It's not easy growing up and "not fitting in". In addition, even if readers have not related to being a loser, the book should broaden their perspectives on what it's like to feel unwanted and not fit in.

This line from the book really stuck with me and made me happy once Jerry found his best friend: “Best friends are always together, always whispering and laughing and running, always at each other's house, having dinner, sleeping over. They are practically adopted by each other's parents. You can't pry them apart.” ( )
  vziolk1 | Nov 15, 2016 |
I really liked Loser by Jerry Spinelli and see way it is often read in curriculum in many schools. The book does a great job of creating the main character, Donald Zinkoff. You really sympathize and root for him, seeing his quirkiness in an endearing light due to Spinelli's presentation of Zinkoff. The plot tells of Zinkoff going through grade school and coming of age, even though he doesn't quite fit in. I think this is very beneficial because bullying is often an issue at this age, especially with children who can be quirky at times. By reading this book, I think students will think more about how they treat others. Overall, this book was a great read and I would recommend it. ( )
  vrobey1 | Nov 14, 2016 |
I loved reading this book when I was younger and it was just as good of a read now. This book reaches out to people who have ever felt awkward or like they had to hold back being themselves and presents them with a young boy who is apologetically himself. Zinkoff goes through his first few years of school with the reader and shows how society tries to break him into a mold, but Zinkoff blindly resists. My favorite piece of this novel is the characters. Zinkoff is a strange kid, but he is kindhearted and means well. He stumbles through years 5-10 all the while figuring out what it means to be a winner. In addition to him, I also adored his parents in the story. They understand that their kid is a little off, but they encourage him to do everything he wants despite how others will view him. It's a good message to both young kids and to adults who may want little guys to all behave alike. I also enjoy the timeline of the story. It is not all centered on one year or grade for Zinkoff, but instead goes though 5 years of his life. This allows for lots of great events to happen which means that the book goes by quickly. The main idea for this novel is that as long as you are true to yourself, you are never really a loser. ( )
  ccalla8 | Apr 18, 2016 |
really a 2 and half star rating. This book was just OK for me - my son was reading it so I did too. I felt like it went waaaay off the topic for a while and only sort of resolved the issues at the end. I like Spinelli, but this wasn't my favorite. If I could find a star that said "I sort of liked it" I would have chosen that. ( )
  ER1116 | Jan 13, 2016 |
Loser was an excellent and well written book! I was so glad to find something like this in the Literacy Center. I believe this book really does capture the spirits of so many elementary schoolers out there, so many of them mean well and are so warm hearted and they do not get the respect and love they deserve from their peers.
  Bcurr | Nov 10, 2015 |
I was absolutely enamored by the character of Donald Zinkoff. The only words that I can use to truly describe this kid are eclectic and passionate. I feel that far too many middle readers advocate for losing one's idiosyncrasies, even if they don't mean to, just because they are not societally acceptable. "Loser" does not do this at all, rather, it celebrates Donald and shows that his quirks make him truly exceptional. I feel that this would be a wonderful book to have kids read because, as I read the book, Donald really became a real person to me (kudos Spinelli for introducing us) and he taught me two things that I would love for kids reading this to also takeaway, in addition to their own thoughts and conclusions about the story. First, this story teaches one to never give up what makes them unique. Further, "Loser" advocates for not caring what others thing and only paying mind to the unique things that make you happy. Secondly, this book taught me to be careful before I judge. Many of Zinkoff's actions on the surface could be initially characterized as either being careless of having an exaggerated amount of care, however, all of Donald's actions really come from a place of making himself and other's as happy as possible. I think that the big takeaway from this book is that everyone is different, however, we should all be using our unique means to make ourselves and everyone around us happy, rather than trying to conform at the expense of those we see as different from what society tells us is "cool". We should all forget about being "cool" or "losers" and just be ourselves. ( )
  alaina.loescher | Aug 23, 2015 |
I'm giving this a try again; I tried reading it about 3 years ago and lost interest. Perhaps I was in the wrong frame-of-mind.

Update: I read it, and I wish I hadn't. There was no conflict and nothing to hold my interest after about the first 20 pages. At first, I chuckled aloud a bit and adored Zinkoff, the protagonist, but this was an uneventful character study of sorts rather than a story. So Zinkoff is ultra unique and confident, even though he's essentially a "loser" at everything, but he's okay with it, and people are sort of okay with it in his life. There's nothing more to this book than an introduction to one more adorable, loveable Spinelli character. Maybe it would've been a good short story? It just seemed pointless. And boring. Maybe now that I know Zinkoff, he could show up in another story that combines multiple Spinelli characters--a book in which something interesting happens. Go for it, Spinelli! ( )
  engpunk77 | Aug 10, 2015 |
Out of all of Jerry Spinelli's books, this is probably one of my very favorites. We get to know the protagonist as a young child who is anxious to learn. He sees learning as wonderful. When the teacher told him how much time they would be in school he loved it. I think that was what made me fall in love with Donald Zinkoff. His quirky behavior told me that in the right hands he would come out on top Unfortunately, as a teacher I've seen some like the one he had who didn't like him because he wasn't quite as smart as other ids. She honestly thought Donald did things because he was trying her patience on purpose. He was branded a loser but didn't realize it until he got older. When that reality hit him it crushed him. However, when the book ends and Donald does something than many would see as heroic in his attempts would brand an example of what a loser he was, I always asked my students how they saw him now. It is funny that 99% no longer so him as a loser. Why? You really need to read this book. I try to start off my year reading this book to and with my students. I want them to understand that I have no losers in my class Everyone is different and therefore when we embrace those differences then everyone can be a winner. This is a book I am always recommending and will continue to recommend. It is one of my favorite yearly rereads. ( )
  skstiles612 | Jul 20, 2015 |
Donald has always been a little bit different, but it wasn't until fourth grade when he (and the rest of his class) discovered he was a loser. Never getting anything right, Donald continues to do things his way and learning about himself, growing up, and the outside world along the way.

While I loved the fact that Donald didn't care what others thought of him, I also loathed the fact that he seemed oblivious. I swished back and forth every few pages whether I cheered for him or pitied him. I do like that the message seems to be for the weirdos - keep being weird, no one else really matters :) ( )
  agrudzien | Jul 10, 2015 |
Jerry Spinelli creates a memorable and awkwardly adorable character in Donald Zinkoff. Donald is an under achiever at best, yet he has a heart of gold. You can't help but feel as though you are cheering for the underdog as you follow Donald's mishaps and misadventures from the time he is just starting school all the way to a nail biting culminating event in his first years of middle school. Donald's experiences tug at your heart strings and will help teach intermediate and middle school students the importance empathy and understanding and acceptance. ( )
  mmeharvey | Apr 6, 2015 |
Donald Zinkoff is different from the other students at his elementary school. Although he's a low achiever, a sloppy writer, clumsy and totally uncompetitive in sports, a flute player who can't follow musical notes--he still loves going to school. He's loving and forgiving with everybody and participates in all activities even when he knows he won't excel. He has a stomach problem that causes him to puke anytime and anywhere, even on his teacher's treasured chalkboard eraser. He constantly giggles and laughs at the wrong time and place. He's never had a best friend; so he decides to choose Hector whose pet project is to save up all his own earwax to make a candle. Naturally, being so special, he is branded a 'loser' by the students.
Jerry Spinelli's delightful book, Loser, is both entertaining and heart wrenching. The school backdrop is authentic, complete with caring and not-so-caring teachers, bullies, loneliness of whoever is different, learning problems and social awkwardness. Zinkoff is a memorable character rejected by his peers yet determined to be part of all the exciting things going on around him. This is without a doubt a must read for the middle-grade reader, for parents with a child of school age and for the lovers of great writing.
( )
  BooksUncovered | Feb 17, 2015 |
This book is a very moving story. It is about a boy that gets bullied and picked on in school. In the end, it elevates to a life and death situation. This book was read to me in 6th grade, and I absolutely loved it. It was realistic fiction. It's about a boy that gets bullied, and he goes through school having to deal with this. Eventually he gets so overwhelmed, that he goes out looking for his sister in the freezing cold, and almost dies of hyperthermia. In the end, it ends well, people stop picking on him. ( )
  NatalieCJones | Feb 2, 2015 |
even though it was a short read it was really refreshing to read a book about school that was normal. It wasn't about a popular kid who looked down their nose at everyone and it wasn't about a kid who was bullied day in day out and just wants it to stop.

Donald Zinkoff is in his own world most of them time. He's very happy go lucky.and doesn't let most get him down. He loves school even though he doesn't excel at it, and trys to make friends with everyone despite being ignored and made fun of. For most of it he's completely oblivious to the other kids taunts and doesn't seem to be 'normal'

What I liked about this books is even though he had a hard time at school he never let it get the better of him or feel sorry for himself. It wasn't a spectacular book and it wasn't bad. It was good for a short light hearted story ( )
  Staciesnape | Sep 14, 2014 |
this was one of my son's required reading books for 7th grade, so I read it behind him to see what the schools are assigning. This one is about a boy named Donald Zinkoff. He has such a zest for life & a joy in the world around him, yet in reality he is clumsy, awkward, & not really good at anything specific. It's painful to watch him struggle his way through his mishaps at school, at the hands of his schoolmates, & his increasing isolation as the one friend he did have moves away. By the time he reaches middle school & becomes self aware & more mature, he tones down his ebullient ways more, trying harder to fit in. But it really doesn't work. However, by the end of the book, one boy seems to want to give him the chance to be a part of a group. I think it ended somewhat ambiguously because you want to imagine that he will strike up a friendship with this boy. Very good read! ( )
  Lisa.Johnson.James | Apr 11, 2014 |
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