The story is written with an omniscient narrator, and even though the plot could focus on the kids that teased zinkoff, it focuses on zinkoff. From renowned newberywinning author jerry spinelli comes a powerful story about how not fitting in just might lead to an incredible life. Kids who never acknowledged his otherness now suddenly notice every sociallyawkward move he makes. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Zinkoff s first day zinkoff gets in trouble his first day of school. After failing horribly in a track and field race, hes branded loser which kinda sticks with him for years, even into middle school. Jerry spinellis novel, loser, details the childhood of donald zinkoff, focusing on his life from the first through sixth grades. It could be that jerry spinelli wrote this story to explore the idea of labels and the reasons why kids will cruelly give them to others that they dont understand.
At this time in his life zinkoff sees no difference between the stars in the sky and the stars in his mothers plastic baggie. Donald laughs over any strange word he hears, had horrible hand writing, and always raises his hand, but gets the answers all wrong. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read loser. Just like other kids, zinkoff rides his bike, hopes for snow days, and wants t. In fact, before he even gets to school hes in trouble.
Because of his offbrand sense of humor and his lack of demonstrable ability in sports, academics, or social skills, hes an outcast at school. Because i think jerry spinelli is a good writer and just makes the story get better and better as you read. Just like other kids, zinkoff rides his bike, hopes for snow days, and wants to be like his dad when he grows. In the fifth grade, zinkoff s peers continue to call him a loser. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. In the book loser by jerry spinelli, the main character is a young, strange boy named donald zinkoff. Hes a little too enthusiastic and hes always laughing. Satterfield elementary school, and in zinkoffs neighborhood. Jerry spinelli gives his readers a careful, at times humorous, portrait of a kid who is only special to his family, and scatters penetrating insights into growing up along the way. May 01, 2002 with a name like loser, i really expected to hate this book and feel sorry for the main character throughout the entire story.
By maintaining a strong sense of self through his experiences, donald zinkoff teaches us all about important and unforgettable lessons of self esteem and happiness. Jerry spinelli received the newbery medal for maniac magee and a newbery honor for wringer. Zinkoff is one of the most unusual, endearing characters ever to grace the pages of a novel for young readers. Teachers and students all know that theres something different about zinkoff, but they arent sure exactly what it is. Once students have brainstormed, assign them a creative writing exercise, in which they will retell a chapter or episode from loser from the limited firstperson perspective of zinkoff or another character. Donald faces the familiar challenges of elementaryaged children disagreeable teachers, peer pressure, social conformity, and. How would that affect the way that the readers feel about zinkoff. Other kids have their own word to describe him, but zinkoff is too busy to hear it. Zinkoff wants to be like his dad when he grows up, a mailman.
Zinkoff never told his parents that he was being bullied even though he wanted to. And when zinkoff tanks in a race at field day, his fate is sealed with the nickname loser. Loser is a coming of age young adult novel first published in 2002 by american author jerry spinelli. Once again, the unusual friendship with this woman and a few other adults who accept zinkoff for the kind soul he really is, bring him the strength he. Jerry spinellis novel, loser, chronicles the childhood of donald zinkoff. Who are the characters from loser by jerry spinelli answers. Now, zinkoff is the kid who everyone is looking for. His novels are recognized for their humor and poignancy, and his characters and situations are often drawn from his reallife experience as a father of six children. But zinkoff also raises his hand with all the wrong answers, trips. Zinkoff s no one calls him donald except his teachers mistakes and quirks are endearing, since were seeing them from the inside. Jerry spinelli is the author of maniac magee, winner of the 1991 newbery medal, and wringer, named a newbery honor book in 1998.
From renowned newberywinning author jerry spinelli comes an incredible story about how not fitting in might just lead to an incredible life. Satterfield elementary school, and in zinkoff s neighborhood. Mar 11, 2016 loser by jerry spinelli questions for discussion. The main plot of the story is that donald zinkoff has horrible handwriting, is clumsy, and is a loser to everyone else. Zinkoff s no one calls him donald except his teachers mistakes and quirks. With the encouragement of his family, he learns to approach life with a positive spirit and to enjoy all that it has to offer. First day is a big day, and mothers know how scary it can be to a sixyearold. The story is written with an omniscient narrator, and even though the plot could focus on the kids that teased zinkoff, it focuses on zinkoff s positive attitudes despite his peers, instead. Donald zinkoff teaches us all about important and unforgettable lessons of selfesteem. Do you think that the winners in the book are always the best. What happens in the book loser when zinkoff is in the. Sep 30, 2015 a book trailer for loser by jerry spinelli.
Will he find a way to be happy and leave the past behind him. This classic book is perfect for fans of gordon korman and carl hiaasen. This study guide consists of approximately 38 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of loser. Just like other kids, zinkoff rides his bike, hopes for snow days, and wants to be like his dad when he grows up. Loser is a tender story about donald zinkoss, a young character who demonstrates great selfacceptance and who is not afraid to fail. Unable to find any peace at school, zinkoff, he befriends an elderly lady to whom he confides. Take this quiz to find out if you understood what you read who is the main character of loser. But zinkoff also raises his hand with all the wrong answers, trips over his own feet, and falls down with laughter over a word like jabip. Who in the book do you think believe that zinkoff is a loser. Explain the nature of competition and whether or not.
We really liked this book because it was suspenseful. Loser 2002, by american author jerry spinelli, is a coming of age novel for young adults. Loser by jerry spinelli, book talk, elementary library duration. Since he was young, zinkoff this was my third book by jerry spenelli, the first ones were stargirl and love stargirl. With a name like loser, i really expected to hate this book and feel sorry for the main character throughout the entire story. Donald zinkoff, the main character, is beginning first grade when the novel opens, and he is in sixth grade when it ends.
Shes probably eight years old at the end of the book. The story mostly takes place at zinkoffs house, john w. But as donald zinkoff gets older, the other kids realize what a loser he really is. Madison skelly charcterization summary donald zinkoff s story lived on as everybody around the school heard about what he had did. The themes of loser include education, societal indifference toward kindness, and the nobility of maintaining ones vision of life. This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. Loser, by jerry spinelli, follows the life throughout grade school of a boy named donald zinkoff, who has a hard time. Loser by jerry spinelli questions for discussion 1. Which character in the book is the author describing in the first chapter. Zinkoff s classmates call him a loser, but he does not feel that he is one.
The end of jerry spinellis book loser is that gary hobin and two of his friends find out that zinkoff was looking for claudia for 7 hours. Oct, 2009 from renowned newberywinning author jerry spinelli comes a powerful story about how not fitting in just might lead to an incredible life. It details the growth of donald zinkoff, who is branded a loser by his classmates due to his clumsiness, poor performance in school and athletics, and sometimes clueless enthusiasm. But zinkoff also raises his hand with all the wrong answers, trips over his own feet, and falls down with laughter over a word like ja. Fortunately, zinkoff is so wrapped up in the amazing world around him that his good. Jerry spinelli, quote from loser his mind is trying to catch the thought as a cat tries to catch a shadow. Take this quiz to find out if you understood what you read.
Like the other neighborhood mothers of firstday, firstgrade children, mrs. Spinelli is best known for his 1990 newbery award winning childrens book, maniac magee. So loser is basically about donald zinkoff, which is an exceptional and special kid. Most readers will relate to either knowing or being a donald zinkoff at some point in their lives. Loser, by jerry spinelli, is one of my favorite fiction novels. Zinkoffs classmates call him a loser, but he does not feel that he is one. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading loser. The story mostly takes place at zinkoff s house, john w. Once again, newbery medalwinning author jerry spinelli uses great wit and humor to create the unique story of zinkoff as he travels from first through sixth grades. Why do you think bounce eventually calls zinkoff s name at the end of. Reading guide for loser by jerry spinelli discussion guide for book clubs. The main setting of the story loser by jerry spinelli is in a small, interesting town. Language arts book summary maybe a little kid can get away with wearing a giraffe hat, yelling yahoo.
Loser by jerry spinelli focuses on donald zinkoff and his travels through school. Jerry spinellis book loser is a comingofage tale about donald zinkoff, known to other kids simply as zinkoff. He makes the story have so many adventures and one thing zinkoff does jerry can just do anything to make it more interesting. Jerry spinelli is the author of maniac magee, winner of the 1991 newbery medal, and wringer, named a. Loser is a touching book about the human spirit, the importance of failure, and how any name can someday be replaced with hero. The characters in loser by jerry spinelli i got this of wiki.
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