Loser by Jerry Spinelli
Jerry Spinelli has a unique writing style that I really enjoyed. I am certain that kids will read this book and get an understanding as to what goes on inside of another person’s mind, a person not like them, to be exact. Loser is about a boy named Zinkoff, also known as Loser. The first line of the book is, “You grow up with a kid but you never really notice him.” He doesn’t have friends, and doesn’t really have any enemies the story goes on to say, he’s just there.
As the story moves forward, you gain some insight about Zinkoff from the outside world. He’s not exactly like everyone else; he’s a little loud, a little clumsy, and a little bit excited – all the time. To Zinkoff the world is a simple place, where he just wants to be like his father. He doesn’t notice other kids think he’s a loser, even when they are making fun of him right to his face. One night, something terrible happens and Zinkoff sets off to do the right thing unknowingly creating pandemonium. I truly enjoyed the story that Jerry Spinelli has spun, and I don’t want to give too much away.
Here are a few links I found that you might find useful regarding “Loser”
Literature Guide from Scholastic
Loser by Jerry Spinelli from Scholastic