Loser (novel)

Loser
Book cover of Loser, by Jerry Spinelli.
Author(s)	Jerry Spinelli
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre(s)	Novel, Realistic Fiction
Publisher	Harper Collins
Publication date	2002
Media type	Print (hardback & paperback)
Pages	218 (first edition hardcover)
ISBN	0060540745
OCLC Number	47996204

Loser is a coming of age young adult novel first published in 2002 by American author Jerry Spinelli. It details the growth of Donald Zinkoff, a boy who is branded a "loser" by his classmates due to his clumsiness, poor performance in school and athletics, and sometimes clueless enthusiasm. The book is unique among Spinelli's work in that is entirely written in the present tense. The life lesson of Loser is about the human spirit,the importance of failure, and how any name can be replaced with hero. It was nominated for the 2004-05 Mark Twain Award.^[1]

Setting

The story takes place in a "small brick-and-hoagie town" in the United States.

Summary

Donald Zinkoff is one unusual kid that some people just can't really understand, with uncontrollable laughter, uncommonly occurring enthusiasm, the love of going to school, acting childish when supposedly mature, a dream of becoming a mailman (After his father), and not being good at sports such as running and activities on his school field day. Donald tries to fit in with these kids, but has trouble doing so, surviving life is unlikely tough for this kid, Who can run the fastest? Which kid can find the most rocks? not Donald Zinkoff, he never wins. Even after being called a "loser" he goes on with it and and remains happy. Donald doesn't have any friends to play with him, all he has is his siblings. 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.

Characters

• Andrew "Drew" Orwell Zinkoff's neighbor. He moved away from Zinkoff's town in 3rd Grade because his father got a promotion. Zinkoff meets him again in 6th grade; with his name changed to Drew.
• Polly Zinkoff's little sister. She's probably eight years old at the end of the book.
• Claudia A toddler who is kept on a leash at all times. She is almost six years old at the end of the book. She gives Zinkoff bubble gum that resembles a stone which he uses as a good luck charm.
• Hector Binns A brief friend of Zinkoff. He's known for eating black liquorice in imitation of chewing tobacco. Hector collects earwax in bottles, intending to create a candle with it when he has enough.
• Mr. and Mrs. Zinkoff Donald and Polly's parents. His dad is a mailman and his mother is an accountant.
• Nobody Hector's pet Lizard.
• Gary Hobin A classmate of Zinkoff and was the fastest runner in his school. He thinks Zinkoff is a disgrace that shouldn't go to school at all. He is also a jerk.
• "Oh Mailman Lady" An elderly lady who much appreciated the letter that Zinkoff gave her on "Take Donald Zinkoff to Work" day.
• "The Waiting Man" A man that waits at his window for his brother to come back that was MIA (Missing in Action) in the war.
• Mr. Yalowitz Zinkoff's 4th Grade teacher. Unlike his other teachers, Yalowitz is very considerate of Zinkoff.
• Miss Meeks Zinkoff's 1st grade teacher. Zinkoff said she and Mr. Yalowitz were his favorite teachers.
• Mrs. Biswell Zinkoff's 2nd Grade teacher. She is a strict woman who sets high expectations for students. She especially hates Zinkoff, describing him as 'the worst student she's ever had'.
• Donald Zinkoff He is a very hyper child who always loses at things, hence the title loser, and hates to sit still. Also, he can't control his laughter or when to be mature. (main character)
• The Furnace Monster Zinkoff's very Worst Nightmare in his basement
• Cherise Orwell Andrew "Drew" Orwell's mother
• The Tall Red-Head Boy The fourth-grader who bullied Zinkoff on the first day of school at recces.

Themes

Spinelli wrote that the book was intended to make the reader think about two questions: "What really makes a loser? And a winner?"^[2] Zinkoff, though regarded as a loser by his classmates and some of his teachers, is shown as enthusiastic, loyal, and good-natured. He enjoys life despite what others think of him. By contrast, some of the "winners" in the story are shown to be self-absorbed, unfriendly, and insecure.

Notes

1. ^ http://www.maslonline.org/resource/resmgr/docs/mark_twain_master_winner_lis.pdf
2. ^ http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=974_type=Book_typeId=3225

References

• Guide for teachers
• Interview with author about the book

External links

• Author's website: Jerry Spinelli
• University of Missouri "Loser" by Jerry Spinelli Links page