Loser by jerry spinelli meet your next favorite book. Spinelli lives with his wife and fellow writer, eileen, in west chester, pennsylvania. The book is unique among spinelli s work in that it is. He went to gettysburg college and johns hopkins university. The main character is a kid named donald, but my favorite characters are polly and a guy that donald calls the waiting. Apr 15, 2019 awardwinning childrens book author jerry spinelli was born on february 1, 1941, in norristown, pennsylvania. Read unlimited books and audiobooks on the web, ipad, iphone and android. Awardwinning childrens book author jerry spinelli was born on february 1, 1941, in norristown, pennsylvania. Hes writing about a kid who suffers from a disability called dyspraxia.
Recently, i finished a book called loser, by jerry spinelli. It details the growth of donald zinkoff, who is branded a. This classic book is perfect for fans of gordon korman and carl hiaasen. Spinelli described this event, and the description eventually turned in to the story line for his first published novel entitled space station seventh grade.
The story mostly takes place at zinkoffs house, john w. Loser, by jerry spinelli, follows the life throughout grade school of a boy named donald zinkoff, who has a hard time achieving success in anything he does, yet proves to be very successful at being a good person. 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. Spinelli is best known for his 1990 newbery award winning childrens book, maniac magee. Loser by jerry spinelli chapters 15 summary and analysis. Zinkoffs no one calls him donald except his teachers mistakes and quirks. 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. This detailed literature summary also contains topics for discussion and a free quiz on loser by jerry spinelli.
Stargirl is a young adult novel written by american author jerry spinelli and first published in 2000. Through the use of the omniscient narrator, spinelli builds up to. He is known for such works as maniac magee 1990, wringer 1997 and. Jerry spinelli biography loser questions and answers the question and answer section for loser is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. This is a book we wrote about the summer we turned eleven and jake ditched. Beloved author jerry spinelli has written another perfectly ontarget, humorous, and brilliant story about the struggles of growing up and discovering who you are. He and his wife, eileen, also a writer of childrens books, have seven children.
The main setting of the story loser by jerry spinelli is in a small, interesting town. For in the sequel, i was able to understand more about its main character named stargirl caraway. Sasquatch reading award washington from renowned newberywinning author jerry spinelli comes a powerful story about how not fitting in just might lead to an incredible life. The end of jerry spinelli s book loser is that gary hobin and two of his friends find out that zinkoff was looking for claudia for 7 hours. Especially when he produces a novel in the young adult genre. 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. The bully in the book loser by jerry spinelli is gavin. Jerry spinellis novel, loser, chronicles the childhood of donald zinkoff. Literature circle questions use these questions and activities that follow to get more out of the experience of reading loser by jerry spinelli.
He is known for such works as maniac magee 1990, wringer 1997 and stargirl 2000. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Take this quiz to find out if you understood what you read. If you have other read aloud suggestionsrequests or want to see other content from meet me in the middle. Loser by jerry spinelli focuses on donald zinkoff and his travels. Jerry spinelli is the author of maniac magee, winner of the 1991 newbery medal, and wringer, named a newbery honor book in 1998. 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. Read loser by jerry spinelli for free with a 30 day free trial. Main events in the book called loser by jerry spinelli answers. This classic book is perfect for fans ofgordon kormanand carl hiaasen. His novels are recognized for their humor and poignancy, and his characters and situations are often drawn from his. Oct, 2009 from renowned newberywinning author jerry spinelli comes a powerful story about how not fitting in just might lead to an incredible life. Jan 08, 2008 from renowned newberywinning author jerry spinelli comes a powerful story about how not fitting in just might lead to an incredible life.
Donald zinkoff is one of the greatest kids you could ever hope to meet. He laughs easily, he likes people, he loves school, he tries to rescue lost girls in. With some of his finest writing to date and great wit and humor, jerry spinelli creates a story about a boys individuality surpassing the need to fit in and the genuine importance of failure. Will he find a way to be happy and leave the past behind him. Loser, by jerry spinelli, is one of my favorite fiction novels. Not only is it the first day of the school year, it is the first day of twelve school years. Jerry spinelli is known for his books, such as maniac magee, wringers and stargirl, which deal with issues considered relatively deep for the middleschool aged characters, such as racism, homelessness, animal rights and nonconformity. Just like other kids, zinkoff rides his bike, hopes for snow days, and wants to be like his dad when he grows up. 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.
Jul 29, 2003 jerry spinelli received the newbery medal for maniac magee and a newbery honor for wringer. It had an interesting plot that was simple yet enjoyable. It was a new york times bestseller, a parents choice gold award winner, an ala top ten best books for young adults award. The main plot of the story is that donald zinkoff has horrible handwriting, is clumsy, and is a loser to everyone else. Like much of spinellis best work, it straddles the line between reality and fantasy, dwelling in the land of legend and allegory. Zinkoff is one of the most unusual, endearing characters ever to grace the pages of a novel for young readers.
Loser is a coming of age young adult novel first published in 2002 by american author jerry spinelli. The themes of loser include education, societal indifference toward kindness, and the nobility of maintaining ones vision of life. 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. Jerry spinelli s novel, loser, chronicles the childhood of donald zinkoff.
His other books include smiles to go, loser, space station seventh grade, who put that hair in my toothbrush. Jerry spinelli audio books, best sellers, author bio. Browse author series lists, sequels, pseudonyms, synopses, book covers, ratings and awards. From renowned newberywinning author jerry spinelli comes a powerful story about how not fitting in just might lead to an incredible life.
Loser 2002, by american author jerry spinelli, is a coming of age novel for young adults. 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. Jerry spinellis imagination flew one night when one of his six children ate fried chicken that was being saved for the following day. Stargirl was well received by critics, who praised stargirls character and the novels overall message of nonconformity. Donald zinkoff is passing through school and he is being called a loser. She feels that americas children are babied a bit too much and way too long. Zinkoffs no one calls him donald except his teachers mistakes and quirks are endearing, since were seeing them from the inside. As readers follow zinkoff from first through sixth grade, it becomes impossible not to identify with and root for him through failures and triumphs. At first, i really had a hard time trying to appreciate h. Their six children have given jerry spinelli a plethora of clever material for his writing. Zinkoff is playing a game he invented called bugs on a stick. This second book in the series is so much different from the first one. As a newbery awardwinning author, spinelli can expect readers to have high expectations. Love, stargirl by jerry spinelli is such a beautifully written novel.
How old is donald zinkoff in the book called loser answers. What does zinkoff wear his first day of school despite his mother telling him not. Like much of spinelli s best work, it straddles the line between reality and fantasy, dwelling in the land of legend and allegory. Main events in the book called loser by jerry spinelli. Oct, 2009 with some of his finest writing to date and great wit and humor, jerry spinelli creates a story about a boys individuality surpassing the need to fit in and the genuine importance of failure. Read the book to find out if zinkoff is doomed a loser forever. Jerry spinelli received the newbery medal for maniac magee and a newbery honor for wringer.
Stargirl, jerry spinelli falling from fire, teena booth holes, louis sachar dr. The question and answer section for loser is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Jerry spinelli lives with his wife, eileen, who is also a writer, in. Loser jerry spinelli paperback harpercollins publishers.
While they write in separate rooms of the house, the couple edits and celebrates one anothers work. Franklins island, ann halam counting stars, david almond island boyz. Read loser online by jerry spinelli books free 30day trial scribd. Mark twain award missouri new york public librarys one hundred titles for reading and sharing publishers weekly best book. This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling.
Loser is a touching book about the human spirit, the importance of failure, and how any name can someday be replaced with hero. Fortunately, spinelli rarely disappoints and he doesnt disappoint here. Spinelli himself says, in an interview printed in the back of the book, the character is intended to raise dust in the corners of credibility, to challenge our routine ways of seeing ourselves. Loser is the story donald zinkoff as he moves from the first through the sixth grades. Satterfield elementary school, and in zinkoffs neighborhood. He and his wife, eileen, also a writer of childrens books, have seven. Apr 23, 2014 this is the reading of jerry spinellis book, loser, the first 5 chapters. Meeks called them young citizens in the first grade. From renowned newberywinning author jerry spinelli comes a powerful story.
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