With the encouragement of his family, he learns to approach life with a positive spirit and to enjoy all that it has to offer. At the age of 16, his love of sports inspired him to compose. This detailed literature summary also contains topics for discussion and a free quiz on loser by jerry spinelli. Donald zinkoff is one of the greatest kids you could ever hope to meet. The book is unique among spinelli s work in that it is. Middle grades realistic fiction is always a hit with children age 912it will pack a good emotional punch. 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. Donald is tagged a loser after failing a field day challenge for his fourth. This handson and interpersonal lesson bundle will help your students comprehend the novel loser by jerry spinelli, and it will also allow them to them explore literary element. Jerry spinelli received the newbery medal for maniac magee and a newbery honor for wringer. He and his wife, eileen, also a writer of childrens books, have seven.
Along the way i married another childrens writer, eileen spinelli, and from our six kids have come a number of stories. Loser jerry spinelli paperback harpercollins canada. 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. This is the reading of jerry spinellis book, loser, the first 5 chapters. Jerry spinelli audio books, best sellers, author bio. 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. 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. Just like other kids, zinkoff rides his bike, hopes for snow days, and wants to be like his dad when he grows. The first edition of the novel was published in may 1st 2002, and was written by jerry spinelli. Presumably if loser makes one child view a different kid as a threedimensional character, spinelli will consider his book successful. If you have other read aloud suggestionsrequests or want to see other content from meet me in the middle. The book i chose to read is loser by jerry spinelli.
The main characters of this realistic fiction, fiction story are. The themes of loser include education, societal indifference toward kindness, and the nobility of maintaining ones vision of life. And you each lunch with him and talk with him and share secrets and laugh a lot and go places and do stuff, and when you wake up in the morning, hes the first person you think of. 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. Pdf loser book by jerry spinelli free download 218 pages. Spinelli is best known for his 1990 newbery award winning childrens book, maniac magee. Loser is a touching book about the human spirit, the importance of failure, and how any name can someday. 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. 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. In second and third grade his teachers did not like him. Loser is a tender story about donald zinkoss, a young character who demonstrates great selfacceptance and who is not afraid to fail.
The main plot of the story is that donald zinkoff has horrible handwriting, is clumsy, and is a loser to everyone else. Loser 2002, by american author jerry spinelli, is a coming of age novel for young adults. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Hoping for snow days, wanting to be his dad when he. Jerry spinelli born february 1, 1941 is an american writer of childrens novels that feature adolescence and early adulthood. Zinkoff is like all kids running, playing, riding his bike. Loser, by jerry spinelli, is one of my favorite fiction novels. Loser by jerry spinelli meet your next favorite book. I love this book and think it has such important lessons on bullying and acceptance. Zinkoffs no one calls him donald except his teachers mistakes and quirks are endearing, since were seeing them from the inside. From renowned newberywinning author jerry spinelli comes a powerful story about how not fitting in just might lead to an incredible life. While they write in separate rooms of the house, the couple edits and celebrates one anothers work. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 218 pages and is available in mass market paperback format. Loser is a touching book about the human spirit, the importance of failure, and how any name can someday be replaced with hero.
Loser by jerry spinelli and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. It details the growth of donald zinkoff, who is branded a. In first grade his teacher told the students how many years until the end of twelfth grade. Loser is a coming of age young adult novel first published in 2002 by american author jerry spinelli. The book is unique among spinellis work in that it is. Jerry spinelli lives with his wife, eileen, who is also a writer, in. 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 middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. He is known for such works as maniac magee 1990, wringer 1997 and.
You can never go wrong with a jerry spinelli kids book. The story mostly takes place at zinkoffs house, john w. Jerry spinelli books, author biography, and reading level. Jerry spinellis novel, loser, is an excellent choice for teaching students theme, characterization, plot and so much more. Spinelli lives with his wife and fellow writer, eileen, in west chester, pennsylvania. The author recounts zinkoffs storya case study of sortsin short sentences from a deliberately reportorial point of view, documenting the first years of the boys life and his evolution into a loser. Written by jerry spinelli, audiobook narrated by steve buscemi. From renowned newberywinning author jerry spinelli comes a powerful story. Signin to download and listen to this audiobook today.
The main setting of the story loser by jerry spinelli is in a small, interesting town. Jerry spinelli is the author of maniac magee, winner of the 1991 newbery medal, and wringer, named a newbery honor book in 1998. To eileen, my stargirl and to loren eiseley, who taught us that even as we are, we are becoming and to sonny liston. His other books include smiles to go, loser, space station seventh grade, who put that hair in my toothbrush. He went to gettysburg college and johns hopkins university. Get this book free when you sign up for a 30day trial. Their six children have given jerry spinelli a plethora of clever material for his writing. Jeffrey and molly, who are always fighting, have been especially helpful. 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. This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6. Jerry spinelli, quote from loser because thats what you do, you stand up for your best friend.
This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in. Loser jerry spinelli paperback harpercollins publishers. Page 1 cover page 2 vocabulary list page 3, 4, 5 vocabulary activities page 6, 7, 8 character sketches page 9 map activity page 10 ch. He laughs easily, he likes people, he loves school, he tries to rescue lost girls in. Donald faces the familiar challenges of elementaryaged children disagreeable teachers, peer pressure, social conformity, and. Loser quiz jerry spinelli 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. Satterfield elementary school, and in zinkoffs neighborhood. This is a literature unit for the book loser by jerry spinelli. Loser by jerry spinelli, 9780060540746, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Loser, by jerry spinelli, follows the life throughout grade school of a boy named donald zinkoff, who has a hard time. Donald is tagged a loser after failing a field day challenge for his fourth grade class, but his unique and inspiring view of life keeps his spirits afloat. Awardwinning childrens book author jerry spinelli was born on february 1, 1941, in norristown, pennsylvania. Spinelli was born in norristown, pennsylvania, and currently resides in phoenixville, pennsylvania. Just like other kids, zinkoff rides his bike, hopes for snow days, and wants to be like his dad when he grows up.
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