Once a Loser, Always a Loser?

Donald Zinkoff isn’t like other kids his age, but this isn’t apparent until the end of elementary school. Until then Zinkoff and his differences seem to slip by his peers. He starts off as a fairly average child; excited and energetic about all of the things going on around him. If his school career could be judged by the first day of school, then it would be easy to tell that things would be difficult because Zinkoff starts his first day of school wearing an enormous giraffe hat, which makes his teacher a bit uneasy. Even though he has trouble, he does make it through the first grade. Donald continues on this way throughout second and third grade. He loves to learn so much that he doesn’t even care if he gets and A, B, or C. He plays sports, but doesn’t care if he wins or loses- he is just playing for the fun of it. Zinkoff is happy! His parents are very loving and supportive of their son. Fourth grade is a great year for Zinkoff because he really likes his teacher and his teacher likes him. Everything goes well until Field Day. All of a sudden his teammates are not happy with him and see him as different. When he loses an important race for them they think he is a loser. This becomes his name. Loser. Kids call him it all the time and no one likes him. Zinkoff is still happy most of the time, but sometimes he is upset when kids make fun of him. Read the book to find out if Zinkoff is doomed a loser forever. Will he find a way to be happy and leave the past behind him?

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!

Has anyone else read Loser? Or have you read another book by Jerry Spinelli?

Happy Reading! ~L