An old sea dog, scooter moves in with crashs family and becomes a pseudoparent. 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. 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. Loser, by jerry spinelli, is one of my favorite fiction novels. The main plot of the story is that donald zinkoff has horrible handwriting, is clumsy. The main setting of the story loser by jerry spinelli is in a small, interesting town. Nov 28, 2017 the bully in the book loser by jerry spinelli is gavin. What is the ending to jerry spinellis loser answers. 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. Loser, by jerry spinelli, follows the life throughout grade school of a boy named donald zinkoff, who has a hard time. Written by jerry spinelli, audiobook narrated by steve buscemi.
The main plot of the story is that donald zinkoff has horrible handwriting, is clumsy, and is a loser to everyone else. Loser is a touching book about the human spirit, the importance of failure, and how any name can someday be replaced with hero. Jerry spinellis book loser is a comingofage tale about donald zinkoff, known to other kids simply as zinkoff. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of stargirl by jerry spinelli. Just like other kids, zinkoff rides his bike, hopes for snow days, and wants to be like his dad when he grows up. Get the best deals on jerry spinelli paperback books when you shop the largest online selection at. Stargirl and loser are both good books by jerry spinelli. Free shipping on many items browse your favorite brands affordable prices. Loser study guide contains a biography of jerry spinelli, literature essays.
However, loser will remain a firm favorite with me for years to come. Comprehension by chapter, vocabulary challenges, creative reading response activities and projects, tests, and much more. Loser by jerry spinelli donald zinkoff is a uniquely optimistic exuberant child that lives everyday as an adventure with loving support and encouragement from his parents. From renowned newberywinning author jerry spinelli comes an incredible story about how not fitting in might just lead to an incredible life. The loser community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis. His other books include smiles to go, loser, space station seventh grade, who put that hair in my toothbrush. Jerry spinelli books list of books by author jerry spinelli.
Loser is a tender story about donald zinkoss, a young character who demonstrates great selfacceptance and who is not afraid to fail. Jul 29, 2003 jerry spinelli received the newbery medal for maniac magee and a newbery honor for wringer. What happens in the book loser when zinkoff is in the fifth grade. Most readers will relate to either knowing or being a donald zinkoff at some point in their lives.
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. The novel follows the protagonist, donald zinkoff, through his early life. Stargirl 2002 read online free book by jerry spinelli in. Jerry spinelli s novel, loser, details the childhood of donald zinkoff, focusing on his life from the first through sixth grades. Apr 11, 2008 loser by jerry spinelli recommended age. Loser, by jerry spinelli, follows the life throughout grade school of a. Sep 04, 2010 what is the plot in the book loser, by jerry spinelli. The book follows the boys progress from first through sixth grade a clumsy, unathletic child, always picked last for games, getting mediocre grades, sloppy in his penmanship and flute playing, and not. Loser is a coming of age young adult novel first published in 2002 by american author jerry spinelli. The bully in the book loser by jerry spinelli is gavin. 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. Satterfield elementary school, and in zinkoffs neighborhood. The loser in this book does not have these more commonly accepted gifts of athletic ability or great academic performance. And we all know the formula eventually there will be some great dramatic event, the hero will have his moment to shine, and everyone will realize that hes not a loser at all.
Donald faces the familiar challenges of elementaryaged children disagreeable teachers, peer pressure, social. Loser jerry spinelli is an american author who likes writing novels for children on their adolescence and early adulthood stage. I did read it to the end, but i felt it lacked a sense of direction. Crash by jerry spinelli a classic paperback book free usa shipping. Loser written by jerry spinelli spaghetti book club. Spinelli first decided he wanted to become a writer at the age of 16, when his high school football team won a big game. Take this quiz to find out if you understood what you read. This gave him a difficulty to deal with the other kids. 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. The story mostly takes place at zinkoffs house, john w. This type of story, of course, has been done often before, though rarely with spinelli s wit and craft. Asked in jerry spinelli what is a good book by jerry spinelli.
From renowned newberywinning author jerry spinelli comes a powerful story. The book follows the boys progress from first through sixth grade a clumsy, unathletic child, always picked last for games, getting mediocre grades, sloppy in his penmanship and flute playing, and not particularly liked by anyone yet a child. What happens at the end of loser by jerry spinelli answers. The story is written with an omniscient narrator, and even though the plot could focus on the kids that teased zinkoff, it focuses on zinkoffs positive attitudes despite his peers, instead. Do you think that the winners in the book are always the best. Free loser study unit worksheets for teachers to print. And maybe it annoys you that he seems to be having even more fun than you, but its a onesecond thought and its over.
What happened at the end of the loser book by jerry spinelli. Take this quiz to find out if you understood what you read who is the main character of loser. As the book progresses, it seems like the only person to truly love and understand crash is his grandfather, scooter. 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. Jerry spinelli received the newbery medal for maniac magee and a newbery honor for wringer. The end of jerry spinellis book loser is that gary hobin and. This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. 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. Growing up, jerry spinelli was really serious about baseball. Jerry spinelli was born in norristown, pennsylvania. He played for the green sox little league team in his hometown of norristown, pennsylvania, and dreamed of one day playing for the major leagues, preferably as shortstop for the new york yankees.
Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. 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. My favorite part is the surprise ending because it turns out that the book has a real twist. Signin to download and listen to this audiobook today. He has been considered odd by his classmates and, in fourth grade, he ruins the chances of his team winning and is nicknamed loser. Loser is a touching book about the human spirit, the importance of failure, and how any name can someday. When faced with the choice of one person versus many, leo might not be strong enough to make the right decision. Being the first spinelli book that i read i then followed up with stargirl and wringer and feel they make the perfect reading triptych. Jerry spinellis stargirl, published in 2000, is a young adult novel dealing with the. Jerry spinellis novel, loser, details the childhood of donald zinkoff, focusing on his life from the first through sixth grades. Loser by jerry spinelli 2003 paperback classroom set lot.
Feb 22, 2009 loser by jerry spinelli donald zinkoff is a uniquely optimistic exuberant child that lives everyday as an adventure with loving support and encouragement from his parents. Loser is a coming of age young adult novel first published in 2002 by american author jerry. From renowned newberywinning author jerry spinelli comes a powerful story about how not fitting in just might lead to an incredible life. 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. This classic book is perfect for fans of gordon korman and carl hiaasen. In the end, the adults involved in the hunt see zinkoff as a hero. Free loser worksheets and literature unit for teachers. My weird school daze miss newman isnt human by dan gutman chapter book read aloud duration. Jerry spinelli books biography and list of works author. The main episode at the end of the book happens when zinkoff goes off in the snow to help look for a lost girl, and stays out there by himself.
The end of jerry spinelli s book loser is that gary hobin and. Jerry spinelli gives his readers a careful, at times humorous, portrait of. See the progress your students make while they are reading. With the encouragement of his family, he learns to approach life with a positive spirit and to enjoy all that it has to offer. Summary the novel is all about a young boy named donald zinkoff. When zinkoff enters the first grade, his sloppiness and excessive. The loser community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. Jerry spinelli 1941 jerry spinelli born february 1, 1941 in norristown, pennsylvania is a noted childrens author, specializing on novels written for and about early adolescence. Get this book free when you sign up for a 30day trial. Jerry spinelli has penned a book that goes straight to the heart of wanting to fit in, of sometimes being too good to believe, of life and love and heartbreak and the desire to be different, yet the same as everyone else.
Loser is a touching book about the human spirit, the importance of failure, and how any. His novels are recognized for their humor and poignancy, and his characters and situations are often drawn from his reallife experience. Loser worksheets and literature unit by jerry spinelli grades 36 daily reading journal go beyond a simple book report. 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. This book will make you and your child think deeply about how not every child will fit into the mold of what most kids and adults consider popular or successful such as the great athlete or the straight a student. Or its winter and you sled to the bottom of halftank hill, and youre trudging back up and there he goes zipping down, his arms out like a swan diver, screaming his head off. Why do you think bounce eventually calls zinkoffs name at the end of the book. Crash by jerry spinelli a classic paperback book free usa shipping middle school. Zinkoffs classmates call him a loser, but he does not feel that he is one.
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