Loser

I felt sorry for my daughter this past Summer. She picked this book out of a list of 5 to read for school. The writing was all over the place, the plot went nowhere. Really boring.

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So, our hero, Donald Zinkoff, is big-hearted, upbeat, gung-ho, clueless, and socially inept. As is sometimes the case with Spinelli heroes and Spinelli books, the author tries to have it both ways. Sometimes he plays scenes for laughs and sometimes he plays for pathos. Sometimes the hero is a doofus-savant and sometimes he's just a doofus.

I imagine the idea, at least with regard to a kid reader, is to encourage that reader to recognize his own doofus within and to be more understanding and tolerant of the doofus in other kids. An underlying message about winning not being everything is in there as well. Nothing wrong with any of that. And there are certainly some fine lines and many insightful and edgy little throwaway observations.

Here's the thing, though. In his other books Spinelli's "message character" - Stargirl, Maniac Magee, the Wringer kid - is reasonably well developed as a character, with a recognizable personality and some depth and subtlety. In this book Donald Zinkoff is a placeholder, just an exaggerated concept or a colorful construct. I think this may be why lots of kid readers dislike the book; they can't get beyond that unrelentingly loserish outline of a kid. On the other hand, the adults who love or at least respond well to the book can fill in the void - maybe with themselves, or with one of their children, or with a kid they knew and maybe mistreated way back when.

But poor Donald Z is the sacrificial lamb that Spinelli sets up to make his point. Where will this character end up? Will he carve out a happy life in his own dream world or will some harsh realities crush his spirit? Because we're grownups, and because we've watched our own kids and their friends, and because we were kids once ourselves, and because we've seen nice guys get knocked around, it's hard to shake the unspoken but real underlying sense that things will probably not end well for Donald Z.

Maybe this is it. Many of Spinelli's books are like thought experiments or little morality plays. He creates a Stargirl, or a Donald Zinkoff, or a Maniac McGee, or that Wringer kid, and sets out an issue - individuality, clueless loserness, rootlessness, animal cruelty - and uses the kid character to explore the issue. That's fine. But sometimes the character takes on a life of his own, or touches the reader in some way. Because Spinelli never seems to allow for what happens next the reader is left to fill in the blanks, and that's where the reader decides, as here, whether the book will be heartwarming, (Donald finds a partner whose weirdness matches his and lives happily everafter), or sad, (Donald never makes a connection and finds himself alone and unrealized).

So, there you have it. There's more, and less, going on here than just a good natured kid who starts out a loser and then gets a sort of happy ending. Heartwarming or sad? Hard to say. But that's how Spinelli rolls.

I wasn't expecting to like Loser but it succeeded in winning me over anyway. Loser tells the story of Donald Zinkoff, a guileless social misfit, in a series of vignettes about elementary school (first grade through sixth grade). I dreaded the book might end badly for Zinkoff. Fortunately, there are happy endings for all characters.

I think Spinelli wants to be the Faulkner of children's literature because the writing style is an amalgam of present tense narrative and stream of consciousness. The culminating chapters (25-27) were particularly awkward in this respect.

There is a moral to Loser but it is not heavy-handed. Loser is critical of children's preoccupation with winning and losing. Spinelli shows readers that Zinkoff, despite being an habitual loser, is an uncommonly loyal friend who readily sympathizes with his neighbors, the Waiting Man and Claudia.

The book managed to evoke nostalgia in me for my grade school days. For example, I particularly liked Zinkoff's fourth grade teacher who declared "And the Z shall be first!" and assigned Zinkoff the first desk in the classroom in a reverse alphabetical seating order. I also have a name at the end of the alphabet and Zinkoff's reaction rings true to me. Spinelli has a knack for creating these true to life scenarios throughout the book.

I disliked the gross out humor. There was too much earwax, chewed up bubblegum, and vomiting in my opinion. I suppose this was intended to make the book appealing to young kids. I think it was unnecessary.

Overall, adults will appreciate the nostalgia. Teenagers, presently struggling to fit in at school, would probably appreciate Loser particularly well. I believe that young kids would find Loser, with its odd writing style and loose plot, inscrutable and boring. I don't recommend it to kids under 13.

Loser by Jerry Spenneli

Donald Zinkoff is an average boy. When he goes into 6th grade every thing changes, He is a looser. In the beginning of the book a new kid moves in. His name is Donald Zinkoff. His mom lets him out side to run and play. He sees kids like him everywhere. All of them are having races to see who can run the fastest or who will grow the tallest. Donald just plays with them and has so much fun. When Donald turns six he wears his geraph hat to school. Everyone likes it and they want to wear it. The next year he has all of these gold stars on him and every one wants to know why. He tells them that they are rewards from his mother. When Donald gets his first friend he goes bananas. When Donald's friend moves away, Donald acts like himself again. When Donald reaches 5th grade he is looked at like he is a klumps. Everyone is calling him a looser. When he gets into 6th grade he is starting to fit in with every one else. When his is picked to play on a football team he is so happy he screamed. This book was great because it told you about the life of a kid with no friends.

The reason that this book was so good is because it tells you about the life of a kid with no friends and a hard life. The reason Donald has no friends is because he can't do anything. He isn't athletic either. Donald never likes to take a bath and he is always throwing up. He is scared of the furnace in his basement also. Another reason people don't like him is because he picks his earwax.

This book was funny because Donald would get awards on accident. When he was playing soccer he headed the ball into the goal because it hit him in the head. His friend soon moved away because he was on the other team and he lost. He also thinks the no talking pin is a reward, so his teacher makes it one. Also when he goes to middle school he doesn't know how to be cool, but he tries to be cool and gets joked on.

The book was also very fun to read because the author described every thing with lots of detail. During the story they tell how horrible Donald looks and how he has a rare stomach desease. It also tells how donnald calls his father's cars clunkers because they are all old and busted up.

Because this book told you about the life of a kid with no friends it makes it more fun to read. When in the end Donald made friends, he was the happiest boy aliveand thet is what also made the book such a great book.

C. Barnes

Jerry Spinelli's novel, LOSER, details the childhood of Donald Zinkoff, focusing on his life from the first through sixth grades. Most readers will relate to either knowing or being a Donald Zinkoff at some point in their lives. Zinkoff is usually the last person picked for athletic teams, his flute consistently hits the wrong note during concerts, and he is occasionally too eager at the wrong times.
First grade is when Zinkoff is introduced to school. He loves it, even though he is always seated in the rear of the classroom because his teacher sits students alphabetically. But Zinkoff hits his low point in fifth grade, when his team does not want him to participate in that year's field day because of his horrible performance during last year's proceedings.
Sixth grade is Zinkoff's first year of Middle School, where he reconnects with his former neighbor from second grade, Andrew. Andrew has changed his identity to become "Drew", a sixth grader who has confidence in the crowded halls and a cell phone in his book bag.
This chance encounter sort of clues Zinkoff in as to how much of a difference there is between him and his peers. Even though they consider him to be a loser, he's not; in fact, Zinkoff has a heart of gold. This is shown through his interactions with his parents and the lonely, elderly lady in his neighborhood, as well as the hours he spends looking for a little girl from his neighborhood who becomes lost in a snowstorm.
Readers will like Zinkoff and enjoy how much pleasure he receives from the simplest of activities, from spending the day with his dad pretending to deliver mail, to biking all over his neighborhood and checking on the waiting man. After seeing Zinkoff's consistently positive attitude and the level at which he tries, readers will want Zinkoff to become part of the in-crowd among his peers. While this does not happen, the book ends on an optimistic note, which seems fitting for Zinkoff's positive philosophy on life. LOSER may inspire readers to be a little more understanding towards the "Zinkoffs" in their lives.
---(...)

Book Review

Loser or Not

Loser

by Jerry Spinelli

ISBN# 0-06-054074-5 2002 Harper Trophy Publishers

Harper Collins New York, NY

How would you feel if you were bullied around by everyone? Loser is a Fiction book by Jerry Spinelli.

I think Loser is a is a exhilarating book because Zinkoff grows up with his little adventures. For example, when it's his first day of school he takes his giraffe hat which he isn't suppose to because his mom already said no. In school, at recess everybody is around Zinkoff until someone snatches it and puts it n his head and then the hat gets passed around to everybody's head until a fourth grader steps in and takes the hat.

In this book zinkoff is going to his first day of school . He wears this funny hat that startss this big mess at recess. Also, in school he can't resist laughing on words like "Jabip." Once on a field day his team is winning but Zinkoff messes up on the last race and from then on he is called a loser.

Zinkoff reminds me of myself because the way Zinkoff gets bullied around by everyone I also get bullied around by a lot of people too. Also, there are other people out there who get bullied around like Zinkoff does. The theme in this book is never give up. Zinkoff never gave up when he was called a loser.

The target audience of this book is ages 8-12. Jerry Spinelli. has an eye of a kid. That's why he writes so provocative books for children. Jerry Spinelli also wrote other great books like Thereis a girl in my Hammer lock, Maniac McGee, Crash, Stargirl, The Library Card and a lot of others. Jerry Spinelli won a Newberry Medal for Maniac McGee. I would recommend this book to anyone because its a great book for anyone.

Loser

by Jerry Spinelli

There is a kid named Zinkoff.It seems like every where you look there he is sitting there,standing there,or walking close to you.When he walks home he touches the door and as his hand is on the door he hears every thing his mom tells him like saftey rules.Zinkoff doesn't get mad because he tells and thinks that he is free, so he always stays happy.His dad is nice he drives a Station Wagon.Theres these three kids that don't even know him,so they say rude things about him and call him names.

The plot is about a strange kid named Zinkoff.He is strange,weird,and kind.In the beginning of the story he is shy and trying to make friends.In the middle of the book some kids start to get to know him,but not very well.Since he is so quiet kids start teasing him and calling him loser.At the end story Bonce a kid that doesn't even know him and same with a kid named Tuttle call him names because Bonce throws a basketball at Zinkoff to see if he can catch it.When he trys to throw it back they said he throws like a girl.So they call him a baby girl.Also he is not as weird as the beginning of the story,but people that call him names don't even know him so what they see is what they call him and think about him.

The theme is about a kid Zinkoff that is teased most of his life from people that don't know him and he doesn't care.His mom tells him every thing like what to wear and how to do things.

I think this is a good and bad book because Zinkoff is treated horribly and I think that is wrong.I like it because he doesn't care what other people think about him if they know him or don't know him.So that is great.

Donald Zinkoff is just that average kid down the street for a few years. You remember the one - doesn't stand out in any particular way and he might just as well not exist, doubtful that anyone would notice if he didn't. All that changes when he goes to school. The other kids realize that Donald Zinkoff is not very coordinated. He has troubles with his handwriting and he does some other things that are just plain "weird." By the time the students reach fourth grade, nobody wants Zinkoff on their team for field day. He proves why by turning in a terrible performance and earns his nickname.
Throughout the story Donald makes some uncommon friends without recognizing them for what they are. Among them are an elderly woman, a catatonic man and a toddler girl. It is with these friends that he finds a purpose in his life. For one person in particular, it becomes all too important that Donald Zinkoff existed and that he was not a loser.
The story does not start off with a gripping storyline, but it is interesting watching Donald grow up and see how he is treated in school. Spinelli has a way of causing the reader to fall in love with a character and to be able to feel the same things he is. I never saw the climax coming, but I was wringing my hands along with the main character.
Why 5 stars?:
Jerry Spinelli has written many books that are age-appropriate for 4-7 graders. They keep kids this age interested and are about characters and situations they can identify with. The book lends itself well to being used in a read-aloud, or even a discussion style of teaching.

I received this book for my birthday this year and started reading at once. It is a great book. It is about a boy, Donald Zinkoff. In this story, we are with Donald as he grows up in his own little world. Donald is a little bit strange, but all the same has a very kind heart. He does not realize how different he is, but is almost alone in this. Among Donald's small group of friends are little Claudia; the old lady with the walker; his sister, Polly; and for a short time, his neighbor, Andrew. Donald's dream is to become a mailman, just like his father, this job, to him, is the greatest in the world. Donald also loves school, though he does not have the best grades.
This was a story that touched my heart. I did not find it hard to follow, in fact, I thought the story line was particularly easy to follow. The name did not match the quality of the story. If you like touching, heartfelt stories, I would recommend Loser.

This book "Loser" was written by Jerry Spinelli, he has lots of other great books that he wrote too.
Donald Zinkoff is the main character in the book "Loser." The "Loser" is about a boy named Donald Zinkoff who shares his experience from first grade to sixth grade. In the beginning of the book Donald Zinkoff goes to first grade and his seat is in the last seat because his last name is at the end of the alphabet. Donald loves school, he would never miss school if he didnt have to, and even if he did have to miss school he would find a way to escape from home and go to school. In first grade his teacher is Miss Meeks, and when she said a word Donald started laughing and he couldn't stop. He wasted time from his class for learning because he couldn't stop laughing. On his first day of school Donald didn't really fit in with all the other kids because they all thought that he was weird, so they didn't pay any attion to him. Donald tells everyone that his dad has the best job because he is a mailman and that's what Donald wants to be when he grows up.
I liked this book "Loser" by Jerry Spinelli because the book took you through Zinkoff's school life of grades first through sixth, and how he loved school. If you like reading Jerry Spinelli's books then you might want to read this book, it is really good.

Loser, by Jerry Spinelli, is an interesting book about a curious boy named Donald. This book of realistic fiction reveals the patience of a man, a wanderlust baby, and an unfortunate boy. Many of the characters are based on people in Jerry's family. He has written other novels such as Wringer, Crash, and Stargirl. Loser also has extra activities in the back, all referring to events in the story.

Donald eventually gets in the challenge of everyday life. He inherits the name "Zinkoff" soon enough. Zinkoff continues with misfortunes such as coming in last place at Field Day, fainting in deep snow, and his fear of the basement "Monster." As fellow students notice these misfortunes, Zinkoff starts being known as ... "Loser."

Jerry Spinelli is an experienced writer, as you will quickly notice in the book, and also for the many other novels he has written. His sentences flow like a river, although he has a habit for repetitive beginnings. He can use events and friends in his life and tie them into the story very well. His writing usually paints a picture in your mind.

I would recommend this book if you like backyard adventures. Big or small, this book is fit for all ages. If you like this book, you will love Mr. Spinelli's other novels.

While I absolutely LOVE (and always have) the beginning of the book, even the middle, detailing all of Zinkoff's various childish misadventures, I've always failed to understand how that's all resolved in the end. Perhaps 'resolved' is the wrong word, after all, we wouldn't all want our favorite Loser to turn into someone else entirely. More accurately, then, it just didn't feel like an ending. Then again, what would an appropriate ending have been, right? Zinkoff's fully comfortable with his status, it's not self-acceptance. I also would absolutely bawl if he lost his dorkyness. So I really think the only good resolution would have been Zinkoff being accepted, whether by a larger group or, more preferably, one other friend, mischief making soul mates. This actually seems to be a problem with many Spinelli books, the incompleteness. It's kind of a shame, really, considering how amazing his writing is and how well-developed the characters are. Add in some good [but missing] plot and his stories would be really near perfect, but without that essential plot, the story's really not worth reading.

I read the book "Loser" by Jerry Spinelli. I really liked it. One reason I liked it is because it is about a child's journey through elementary and middle school. As he gets older, he gets picked on more and more until one day in middle school. He finally gets chosen to play football. I also liked it because it was funny in some parts. For example, when Donald was at his elderly neighbor's house trying to convince that people still made snickerdoodle cookies. Or when he goes to work with his dad. I liked this book because it was sad. Everything Donald did wrong, he got made fun of for it. He was bad at almost everything from writing his name to events at Field Day at school.
My favorite part was when Donald went out looking for a young neighbor girl who got lost in a blizzard. It was so courageous. He looked for seven hours! I'm not going to say if he found her or not. You can find out yourself.
In this book, Spinelli very vividly described the setting. He was very specific about the alleyways, schools, and playgrounds. He went into great detail describing it. Although he didn't describe th characters very well.

Jerry Spinelli's writing is easy, fun, and entertaining as well. The novel is aimed at a young audience. The story is about Donald Zinkoff, a lovable kid who was an outsider. The writing is easy to digest since it's aimed at a young audience.

Donald Zinkoff's life reads quite easy at times. Maybe the writing is too easy. I would have liked to have seen more development in Donald's psychology since he's ostracized and becomes a victim of bullying. Somehow, it doesn't disturb him as one who would might think it does. Anyway, I think the author should have tried to explain how Donald coped with the horrors of growing up.

Anyway, it's an easy book for those kids who don't like books. Donald Zinkoff's life can relate to so many of us whether we were "losers" or one of the cool kids. This book allows those of us who commiserate about our childhoods, the good, the bad, and the ugly and to move on with our adult lives.

Loser by Jerry Spenneli

Donald Zinkoff is an average boy. When he goes into 6th grade every thing changes, He is a looser. In the beginning of the book a new kid moves in. His name is Donald Zinkoff. His mom lets him out side to run and play. He sees kids like him everywhere. All of them are having races to see who can run the fastest or who will grow the tallest. Donald just plays with them and has so much fun. When Donald turns six he wears his geraph hat to school. Everyone likes it and they want to wear it. The next year he has all of these gold stars on him and every one wants to know why. He tells them that they are rewards from his mother. When Donald gets his first friend he goes bananas. When Donald's friend moves away, Donald acts like himself again. When Donald reaches 5th grade he is looked at like he is a klumps. Everyone is calling him a looser. When he gets into 6th grade he is starting to fit in with every one else. When his is picked to play on a football team he is so happy he screamed. This book was great because it told you about the life of a kid with no friends.

The reason that this book was so good is because it tells you about the life of a kid with no friends and a hard life. The reason Donald has no friends is because he can't do anything. He isn't athletic either. Donald never likes to take a bath and he is always throwing up. He is scared of the furnace in his basement also. Another reason people don't like him is because he picks his earwax.

This book was funny because Donald would get awards on accident. When he was playing soccer he headed the ball into the goal because it hit him in the head. His friend soon moved away because he was on the other team and he lost. He also thinks the no talking pin is a reward, so his teacher makes it one. Also when he goes to middle school he doesn't know how to be cool, but he tries to be cool and gets joked on.

The book was also very fun to read because the author described every thing with lots of detail. During the story they tell how horrible Donald looks and how he has a rare stomach desease. It also tells how donnald calls his father's cars clunkers because they are all old and busted up.

Because this book told you about the life of a kid with no friends it makes it more fun to read. When in the end Donald made friends, he was the happiest boy aliveand thet is what also made the book such a great book.

C. Barnes

The author of Loser is Jerry Spinelli. The boook tells about a boy named Donald Zinkoff. Most kids during grade school can realte to Zinkoff. Zinkoff is always being called names and being made fun of, he always is playing by himself, and he has no friends.

The first time Zinkoff went ot school he was in the first grade. He loves it. But Zinkoff is sat in the last row because it goes alphabetic order. Zinkoff thinks he is doing great until his teacher calls his handwriting atrocious. But he doesn't understand the meaning and thinks it's great. Then during the fifth grade it's time for Field Day. Nobody on his team wants him to be there. Then they lose.

Now Zinkoff is in the sixth grade and meets hai old neighbor again his name is Andrew. Now Andrew is taller, has a cell phone, and has changed his name To Drew.

Now Zinkoff notices that he is different from everyone he sees. Everyone knows him as a loser. he has no fiends, everyone dislikes him but his parents, they see him as a joy to their life and that he is is good hearted.

During school they were having another Field Day. Zinkoff was on the same team with Gary Hobin who actually hated Zinkoff. He threatened Zinkoff. So instead of going to Field Day Zinkoff went to this lady's house. She fed him they talked and he left. Then he noticed there were police cars everywhere and asked what was going on and found out that this little girl named Claudia was missing. He thought she was so cute and nice, he used to visit her. Now he started looking for her through alleys.

He went home and his parents were surprised. They told him everything how they found Claudia and were looking for him.

I believe that Jerry wrote this story to show how mean it is to pick on people and how it hurts their feelings. Also you should try to get to know someone even i f they have poblems you could help them fix it.

By: Valarie

Loser Scholastic Inc, 2002, 218 pp., $9.95
Jerry Spinelli ISBN 0-439-45793-9

�There are winners everywhere�The sidewalks. The backyards. The alleyways. The playgrounds�Except for Zinkoff. Zinkoff never wins. But Zinkoff doesn�t notice. Not yet.� Not until one word gets repeated to him over and over again.
Donald Zinkoff is different from most kids. He enjoys school and explodes with laughter over a made up word like �Jabip.� Zinkoff trips over his own feet, raises his hand even when he doesn�t know the correct answer, and he has an upside-down valve in his stomach that makes him throw up a lot. Since he is different in so many ways from other kids, Zinkoff gets the name �Loser� which, like it would to any one, seriously hurts him. Zinkoff tries to stay away from the many teasers and can only find comfort with people in his neighborhood. While Zinkoff lives his life from first to sixth grade, he does hilarious things, making an excellent story.
This book is mostly funny, and it more like a collection of stories rather than one long story. Some of the chapters have nothing to do with the main story line. This book is amazing and realistic. It was so good I couldn�t put it down. Spinelli uses a unique writing style that I thought worked very well. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the ending, but other than that, there are no downsides to this book. I would recommend this book to any one who loves humor in books they read.

Though I did enjoy Stargirl by Mr. Spinelli, which I read last year, Loser just left something to be desired. The main character, Donald Zinkoff, is clumsy, loud, laughs when he shouldn't and throws up often because of a stomach problem. In general, he's a geek. The novel opens with his first day of first grade and continues through his sixth grade year. Zinkoff is not immediately a loser - in fact, there is a moment when he is a hero, but alas, it is not to continue. Around fourth grade, his classmates discover that he is "different" (which I thought was a little bit late - I was already a geek in 3rd grade) and begin to whisper behind his back.
Mr. Spinelli's obvious intent is to make kids reconsider those they have marginalized as losers (this book is a bit like Stargirl in that respect, but it is geared towards a younger audience), but it does not succeed as Stargirl did. It climaxes in a strange scene that takes place during a snowstorm, but this scene for me was very anticlimactic and rather ridiculous. While I agree with the book's premise, I just did not enjoy the ending!

Jerry Spinelli's book details the childhood of Donald Zinkoff from the first grade through the sixth. Most kids can relate to Donald Zinkoff because at this time of his life he had no friends and tends to do nothing right. Even though he tries to achieve his goals, he fails to succeed.

Sixth grade is Zinkoff's first year in middle school, where he notices that most of the kids height and behavior is changing, while he remains short and still behaves as he did when he was much younger.

This is a heartwarming story about a boy who is an adventurer and is pleased by the smallest things in life. Most people would consider him a born "LOSER" because he never wins at anything, but all in all he is a winner inside. His clumsiness is like a disease and all of the kids stay away from him because of it. Zinkoff is very weird and at times doesn't act normal, but on the inside he is a very nice kid which no one seems to notice.

I encourage people to read this book so they can find out that beauty isn't always on the outside.

BookBat

Who's Donald Zinkoff? Donald is the main character in book Loser. Donald is a kid that doesn't really get a lot of attention, he isn't really athletic, and he doesn't have a lot of friends, but guess what that doesn't stop him from having a good time. If you like realistic fiction with a little bit of humor I would recommend this book to you. Jerry Spinelli let's you have a look through Donald Zinkoffs eyes. In this story no one really knows about Donald Zinkoff. Donald is just starting to go to school and kids already think he's weird because he thinks words like " jabib" are funny. In one chapter Donald had surgery so he has to miss three weeks of school. When he's home he try's to conquer his fear of the furnace. So he take's a different amount of steps every day. Donald's dad is a mail man so Donald thinks being a mail man is the coolest job. So Donald and his dad went to deliver fake mail. If you want to find out what other humorous adventures Donald goes on read this book.

The book that I'm reviewing is Loser. Jerry Spinelli wrote it. The book is all about a kid who is a klutz and has something wrong with his stomach. On the first day of school he is so excited because it's his first day of school. His name is Zinkoff. When School ends Zinkoff is sad because he loves his school. Did I mention that he laughs at everything and pukes every ``two'' seconds. During the book Zinkoff is hunching for school so he gets up early and gets dressed himself. Suddenly after he gets dressed he bolt's to the school. In the mean time his mom and dad are frantically looking for him. The last place they looked is the school and they fnd him. The first thing he say's is mom dad look, `'I went to school all by myself.'' Then they tell him son it's a weekend. Zinkoff sobs all the way home.
When Zinkoff is in fourth grade he wears his little giraffe hat to school and gets picked on. He has the meanest teacher in the world. She loves her eraser and chalkboard more than she loves her class. So they come in early and Zinkoff without knowing writes on the chalkboard and the teacher comes in and catches him writing on the chalkboard. She screams at him. Then he tries to erase it. She gets even madder then he drops the eraser and pukes all over it. If you want to know how it ends read the book.

Loser Scholastic Inc., 2002, 218 pp., $5.99
Jerry Spinelli ISBN 0-439-46079-4
Donald, Donald Zinkoff, is the main character of the book. Donald loves school; he wouldn�t miss it for anything. In the beginning of this book Donald starts out as a first grader. The author takes us all the way through his elementary life and up to the sixth grade. The book tells his life story of being a loser.
Donald Zinkoff�s annoying habits are, that he laughs too much at stupid things, tells everyone that his dad is the best ever because he�s a mailman, and goofing off a lot in class. Even though he acts immature, he was still a good person with feelings and. The book makes you stop to think about the Donald Zinkoff�s in your class and how you treat them.
I liked the book very well. It was a sad, happy, and loving story. My rating of it from a scale of 1 to 10 would be a 7. I give it a 7 because the book isn�t really for people my age (12). The book is more for younger people like 9, 10, and 11 year olds. The words in the book are really big and little kid style compared to books for teens, but the book had a good point.
If there is a person like what you think Donald Zinkoff is like, then this book is the one to read.
- Guinn G.

So well written and brilliantly poignant. The writing style is different from most 3rd grade books, but I think it challenged my daughter in remarkable ways to pick up on nuances and to really understand what she was reading. Loved this book and highly recommend.

After reading this book by an author who has written other great children's novels (Maniac Magee) I definitely recommend this title. It is basically a story of the "loser" awkward kid at school who always gets picked on. It is a story told through the loser's perspective and is an insight to how the child (Donald) processes social interactions, and how he deals with mean kids. It is interesting to see how most of the time Donald doesn't even realize he is being picked on. This novel is both hilarious and sad at times and it makes me think about a few certain students I have taught the past few years. I think this would be a great read aloud for the beginning of the year to assist students with gaining perspective on how different they all are and they will learn to respect those differences. Jerry Spinelli is a wonderful story teller and I know some adult bullies that could take a lesson or two from him by reading this book.

After reading the book Loser, I get the feeling that this was a do-over of the very appalling novel Stargirl, all I've got to say is this: mission accomplished (sort of).

Although this book is much better than Stargirl due to the fact that Zinkoff is not a saint, I still found the book not as flawless as it seems.

After the realization that Stargirl's saintliness was stupid and freaky (for God's sake, she's a bloody stalker! Period!), Spinelli tried again, this time with a male version named Zinkoff. Although Zinkoff's differentness was not as absurd and unbeilivable, there was still many issues.

Stargirl had a plot. I give it credit for that. But the plot here was loose. Not a thing was direct. This was more a filler book than Stargirl. And where did this Jabip come from? No one says stuff like that. Not even teachers. Although Zinkoff was kind, WHY, IN BLOODY HECK, WOULD HE GO INTO A STRANGER'S HOUSE?!

And bubblegum rocks and earwax candles is not something to include in a book like this, folks. They're not that wild, for God's sake. Blech.

And the ending was truly hartwarming (not the football scene, the search) but unrealistic. If you're going to look for someone, YOU TELL SOMEONE. That way they know what you're up to. Kids aren't stupid enough to do that. He walked two miles from home and never told anyone what he was doing. Lord praise the snowplow driver. And acting all schocked when they were looking for him? Kids aren't that stupid. He should have bloody told someone what he would be up to. I'm surprised he didn't have something jacked up with his brain.

And Spinelli pokes fun at his loserness. He acts as if his own creation doesn't know how to spell the word it. Like he's some sort of comic relief. To have other people jump of the bandwagon of laughing at his stomach problems. I'm sorry. He's a human being. The mean factor in this book is high.

Okay, to tell the truth an wrap it up, it was okay. I'd give it three in a half stars if I could. It was fairly enjoyable but a long way from Perfectville. I'd recommend it to a few people here and there.

And to all the children who wrote lousy reviews because they got a lousy grade on a book report they did about this and because it didn't have horses in it and they like horses, Patrick Star called. He wants his stupidity back.

Jerry Spenelli has created a heroic and inspiring book for all ages. I like his book ,Loser, because in one point of are lives we experience the painfull feeling of knowing we are alone and a loser. I think we should be more like the main character, Zinkoff, because he understands the concept of his life, which is:you can't be degrated by others' words as long as you are supported with love and security at home.
Donald Zinkoff is a happy boy with out a care in the world who just loves school. Yet more than anything Zinkoff loves to win. But winning is a "challenge" Zinkoff can't seem to accomplish. Tis skill for constantly losing triggers his peers to tease him. For Donald however, it doesn't matter what the other kids think, but of what he feels about himself.
I give this book a "high 5" because of the warm lesson it teaches you about life. It feels like you are inside the character's mind experiencing emotions the character goes through. Loser, keeps you rooting for the loser 'till the very end.

Loser, by Jerry Spinelli, made me think how just one little word could change someone's life. This book has a character named Zinkoff, who is great at academics and is suddenly faced with terror as he lines up for the 4th grade field day. In the past years, it was all goofy,fun activities, but now in 4th and 5th grade, it's nothing but serious racing. Zinkoff knows that he is the slowest person in the class, and a class bully made fun of him in Fourth grade. He practices running all the next year, and the big day of the Fifth grade race comes... and, well, - you'll have to read the book to see what happens! I would say this book be good for 5th-7th graders because of the power written in the words. If you want to know more, buy this book and read it. Even though I could only rate this up to 5 I would give it a 10!

I chose this book because in the beginning Zinkoff didn't have friends and when it got to the middle of the book he started to make friends at Monroe Middle School.I think it is very important to have friends.
This book is about a boy whose name is Donald Zinkoff.He is very bad at school.Unlike normal Sixth Graders, Zinkoff loves to go to school,and even likes to make cookies for the heck of it.Whenever you played a game with him, he would always lose.Donald even wants to be a mailman like his dad.Everytime people make him laugh,he laughs for hours even though the joke is over.Donald Zinkoff is someone you wouldn't want to know.
.It's a fun book to read,and it is very hilarious. You cannot stop laughing throughout the whole book.What's hilarious is that on the first day of school Donald takes off without his mom and he took his 3 foot long giraffe hat with him. For all of you who read my review, I would personally read this book or at least give it a try. It's spectacular

My son brought this home three days ago, and thanks to him, I haven't slept because I can't put this book down.

I think a lot of the negative reviews of this are from people who are used to the instant hit and gratification that pop culture so abundantly provides. With this book, you have to be prepared to hurt, be confused, and invest some thought and time...which is not what today's Facebook, iPhones, and television provide.

I am a tough sell. I was raised on good literature, thanks to my teacher parents, and became an English teacher myself, to the age group that Spinelli writes about. I had kids like Zinkoff, and then I had a son who is very similar. So when I decide to invest my hard-earned free time in a book, it had better be worth it. This one was.

There's a lot of emotional depth here. "Loser" speaks of how we all start out the same but quickly get socially subdivided, either by fault or design, tallied up, found lacking, and pigeonholed at a young age. It makes the heart ache to see it unfold in retrospect, but it's almost unendurable to see it happening in your own child.

This is not a comfortable book. I read it waiting for the bomb to drop, that the next chapter would say, "Zinkoff learns a new word: autistic". Or "weirdo". Or "Outcast". The title suggests a name hung on him early on and a plot about a kid who overturns that title and winds up a hero in the end. But that's not it. In fact, the word "loser" features very little in the book, and it doesn't have to. Zinkoff isn't a loser. He's a gainer--he only gains confidence in being what he is, and he is incapable of deception or cruelty. He doesn't change and become something wonderful. He starts off that way and simply remains true to himself. And he just cannot be knocked down.

There's not a happy ending. Don't look for it here. It's a hopeful ending, like Disney's "Up". Like Cormier's "The Chocolate War". Like Kiesel's "The War Between The Pitiful Teachers and the Splendid Kids", a book which is out of print but desperately needs to be back in print (get a copy if you can, particularly if you plan to teach...it's another book that hits hard and deep and with stay with you).

In short--if you want a book about overcoming great odds, finding confidence, and being rewarded in the end, don't look here. This is not a happy montage of self-growth, diamond in the rough, lopsided hero becomes a polished gemstone. It is, however, a fractured fairy tale about a true beauty that doesn't compromise or make excuses and what it is capable of. And there is hope.

Jerry Spinelli is probably the greatest young adult novelist (yes, novelist) for a very good reason. Not only are his books incredibly human and powerful, capturing those illusive essential truths of childhood and adolescence, but they are written in an incredible (yet accessible) modernist, lyrical, and, well--beautiful--prose that captures all the emotions, wonders, and confusions of childhood. His stories seem familiar, and yet they never fall into the trappings of predictability or neatly convenient packaging. In all of these ways, he writes novels that really are good for children of every age (from 0 to 118). In Loser, Zinkoff is one of those off-center kids (another Spinelli gem), messy and silly, a klutz and a joke, gets everything wrong and loses every race. And yet, he is an incredibly happy, innocent, and deeply loving creature. The book is really a character study of this kid, how the world views him, how he views the world. As such, it is incredibly beautiful and poetic, dreamy and childlike. It's an incredible novel, for any age. Grade: A-

Loser, by Jerry Spinelli is a fun filled fiction book about a boy who may be strange but makes a huge difference.

Donald Zincoff is his name and losing is his game. Donald is one of the nicest boys around. He is friendly, caring, and loveable but just a little different. Donald can't write his own name, laughs hysterically when it's not funny, and makes horrible grades. Donald has no friends but tries his best in school. The second grade wannabe has never won a game of Tic-Tac-Toe, finished the game of Hop-Scotch, or even won Simon Says. Donald's differences and quirks make the kids at school start to shun him. His peers l begin to call him Loser and this is his ID for the rest of his school career that is if he passes the second grade.

This story goes through Donald's grade school years as he was ignored, mocked, and the outcast. Zincoff is totally okay with himself and is actually oblivious to the fact that people actually dislike him.

I loved this book because the protagonist, Donald actually likes himself for who he is. He doesn't try to change for other people. Zincoff prevailed as a hero in his mind and that taught me how I should be. Loser is an appealing and likeable book because Jerry Spinelli uses his imagery and metaphors in such an approach that you almost feel like you're there. Loser teaches us that differences should be accepted and enjoyed.

I recommend this book for people who have patience because at the beginning this book seems pointless and starts off slow. I liked the book because it had an interesting plot and although had no major conflict, it still kept me interested and taught me a lesson. Loser book was funny, lyrical, and has a good moral that everyone should abide by. Donald shows that everyone has a purpose even if it's hard to find.

Loser

I just finished the book Loser and thought that the book Loser was really good. I thought that Donald Zinkoff was a really great boy. It tells Zinkoff's life from kinder to fifth-grade. Zinkoff is really talented at a lot of things. One day he is in field day and lost a race. Everyone started to call him "Loser". The next field day he was on the same team but they told him to find a new team, but no one would take him. I feel really bad for Zinkoff because he only got one A in school. I think Zinkoff shows that you should be your self and you'll find a really good friend. I loved that Zinkoff won a trophy but some one stole it and Zinkoff didn't notice or care. That is why I loved the book Loser. It is just too good for anyone to hate it.

The story loser by Jerry Spinelli is a realistic fiction book. It tells about the life of Donald Zinkoff going from first through sixth grade. At first, Donald seems to be silly, clumsy and a bad speller, but then when he reaches fourth grade, his friends begin to see him as weird and strange. During Field Day in fourth grade he causes his team to lose a race because he is a slow runner. His friend Hobin tells him "you're a loser. A stinkin loser". After that all of his classmates starts calling him loser. At the end of the book he hears that his friend Claudia is lost in a blizzard, he has a big heart and goes looking for her. Will Donald find her and became a hero?

I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend it to anyone who has been teased in the past. Donald showed me that no one is a loser. He likes himself for who he is and doesn't try to change for other people. Finally, the book loser gave me a better understanding of the harm that bullying does to other kids.

Can someone with such a weird name such as Zinkoff have a kind heart and have as much courage as a lion? If you answered No, then you are wrong. Loser really shows how one kid can stick alone in tough times. Zinkoff does not realize that he is an outcast.However, Zinkoff often feels left out or not liked. Especially when it comes time for field day. Also, Zinkoff feels awkward when he takes a "test" and one of the questions asks: Who is your best friend?" Zinkoff does not know how to answer that question. It is really amazing to read a book that shows how one kid who is an outcast, can stick alone through anything. All he has to do is believe in himself!! So go out now and buy this extremely amazing book! I guarantee that you will love it and appreciate it as much as I did.

This book opens up in Donald Zinkoff�s first grade classroom. It�s very obvious from the beginning that he�s going to be different from everyone else. There is always that one kid in your school, you know that he or she is there, but you don�t pay attention to thim or her. This book is a different perspective of that person at your school, there perspective. I �d recommend it to people that are nine ten and eleven year olds because it�s in easy read but has lots of good lessons to learn.
Jerry Spinneli puts a picture in your head of a boy (Donald) who has no friends but really wants some. Unlike most people he knows the true meaning of friendship, and is fine with going out in freezing conditions to save his one friend, a two-year girl who lives down the street. I learned not to judge people by what they say but how they act. Loser follows like all of Jerry Spinnelis books, about a kid who isn�t perfect but who is? This is a wonderful book about a kid who just wants to belong.

Loser is a drama filled book by Jerry Spinelli. Jerry Spinelli has also written Wringer, Jason and Marceline, Who put that Hair in my Toothbrush?, There's a Girl in my Hammerlock, Crash, The Library Card, and Star Girl. It is very unusual that in this book, the back cover and front cover don't have writing.

Loser describes Donald Zinkoff's life in Willow, the town where he lives in the book. It starts as Donald's first day of kindergarten. Even though he is bullied, he never notices. The book continues through 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. It's even a little about his time in intermediate school.

This book does not include pictures, but I think it should because it is not very descriptive. Like all books, the conventions are perfect. It is very organized because it goes from kindergarten to intermediate school, or in chronological order. I don't think the idea is very clear and encouraging to read because it doesn't have enough action and adventure. Also, the problem is very confusing and hard to find. The sentence fluency is very smooth. I think this book is NOT worth the reader's time and money.

Loser is not a loser, Jerry Spinelli is an amazing author. I am going to tell you why loser is not a loser. Every kid in the universe knows what it is like to be teased yet they still tease others.Probably because they were teased when they were that age, and they thought that it was only fair if they got to do the same thing to the litte kids hey were big.Anyway Loser is kind of an auto biography about a kid named DonldZ Zinkoff, and his adventures. Although there are plenty I will only tell you one thing about one of his adventures. Cold, numb hands, in the alley looking for one of his friends.That is how much Zinkoff cares about his friends. there are plenty of more exciting things about Loser but why spoil the surprise.

by Brandt,CA

Loser

The book Loser is one of those annoying books that either your teacher forces you to read, or you are attracted to it for one weird reason or another. Either way, you'll fall into a pit of doom! This is simply a strange and down right boring read.

The first strange thing that I noticed was that the book was written in third person and present tense. This ugly combo creates something like this: "He walks over to the water fountain and takes a drink." ahem, Boring!!!! I mean come on, who writes a book like that?

No offence to the author. Really, peace on earth. And for that matter I give the author credit for the fact that they wrote the book. And that some parts were sort of interesting. Notice the word some. Anyway I guess that this is just an oppinion thing.

So be sure understand. If you happen to like books about... well... losers who must survive the dark clutches of school.(Yea Right) Then give it a shot. And everyone else, BEWARE!

The End

Jentz Z. review of Loser by Jerry Spinelli, March 19, 2008.
Donald Zinkoff is a kid who never fit in. Growing up for him was hard, he was teased and bullied. He grew up in the suburbs all his life. Donald has an internal conflict. Ever sense fifth grade he had the nickname loser. The only people he ever connected with were his dad and a girl named Claudia. Near the end of the book Claudia was lost and found shortly after but Donald didn't know and spent hours and hours looking for her. So when Donald was found everyone loved him because he was looking for a girl that had already been found. From then on everyone started calling Donald, Zinkoff, and they loved him again.

Loser

By Jerry Spinelli

Loser is a great book .This book is about a boy named Donald Zinkoff. He doesn't fit in .One day Donald goes to school. His mother told him to never to wear his giraffe hat to school. But on the first day of school he left the house, wearing his giraffe hat. Then a new kid moves into town. Zinkoff makes him a snicker doodle cookie. The kid's name is Andrew Orwell .Then comes field day Zinkoff is very bad at the games and he doesn't know it .Some people stare at him because he is bad. There is a snow storm. Zinkoff looks for his friend Claudia. Zinkoff gets lost too. He searches for a lot of the night. Will he and Claudia be found? Read this book to find out.