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"Loser"

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Andrew is Zinkoff's next-door neighbor. The pair become best friends until Andrew refuses to acknowledge their acquaintance when they meet in middle school.

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Jerry Spinelli

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Donald is referred to as "Zinkoff" in the novel. He is the story's protagonist. Zinkoff is clumsy, doesn't do well in school, and isn't athletic. Because of this, and because Zinkoff lost the race during field day, his classmates tease him and label him a "loser".

Despite that, Donald is energetic, kind-hearted, and awkward in a cute way. He is so kind that he does not blame his bullies or think that they are being cruel. It is never explicitly explained, but it can be assumed that Zinkoff is neurodivergent from his behaviors and tendencies.

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Miss Meeks is Zinkoff's first-grade teacher. Miss Meeks isn't sure if Zinkoff is trying to make things difficult on purpose because of his enthusiasm and positivity.

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Harper Collins Publishers

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Mr. Zinkoff is Donald's father. He works as a mailman and is very supportive and encouraging.

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Claudia is a little girl that goes missing. Zinkoff hears the news of Claudia and goes out to look for her even though it is a snowy night. Zinkoff searches for Claudia for seven hours (he didn't know Claudia was found almost immediately).

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The main setting of "Loser" is a small town. The story visits John W. Satterfield Elementary School, Zinkoff's house and Zinkoff's neighborhood.

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Mr. Yalowitz is a fourth-grade teacher that embraces Zinkoff and his quirks. Mr. Yalowitz is, understandably, Zinkoff's favorite teacher.

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Mrs. Zinkof is Donald's mother. When Donald is older, she goes to work as a telemarketer. She is very encouraging and supportive of Donald.

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Polly is Zinkoff's little sister. Zinkoff loves his little sister, and is always happy with her.

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At first, the other kids don't notice Donald Zinkoff, but Zinkoff is always happy!

The story follows Zinkoff from his first day of school all the way to middle school without friends and not being noticed by anyone until he is branded a loser.

Zinkoff goes through life only being noticed by his foolishness, clumsiness, and failures. Even when attempting to be a hero, he is still seen as a foolish boy.

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The story begins with Zinkoff in the first grade. Zinkoff is goofy, enthusiastic, and socially unaware. He is excited to start school. Miss Meeks, his teacher finds Zinkoff polite and cooperative. She even writes that Zinkoff is "so good-natured", a happy child and "certainly loves school".

Donald's mother gives birth to Polly, Donald's little sister. Around the same time, a new kid moves into the neighborhood named Andrew. Andrew is reluctant to be friends which motivates Donald to make a grand gesture and wow him. Donald attempts to make him a sheet-pan sized snickerdoodle cookie, but like everything else Donald does, the cookie ends up being a disaster, breaking and falling on Andrew's living room floor.

Zinkoff transitions to the second grade where his new teacher is less patient with his "quirks".

The story shifts to Donald in the second grade. This teacher doesn't like Donald

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On a snowy evening, Zinkoff over hears emergency crews in his neighborhood talk about a missing girl. Zinkoff knows this little girl and he decides to go searching for her. He searches for hours and gets lost himself, nearly dying from the freezing cold. He didn't know that Claudia was recovered almost immediately. Zinkoff is found and returned safely to his home. The next day adults wanted to see and visit the foolish boy branded a "hero". His actions demonstrate his bravery, character, and courage.

The story ends with the story being told by the perspective of other boys in Zinkoff's school. They call a game of football and pick teams. Zinkoff is the last to be chosen, but neither captain wants him on their team. Zinkoff refuses to be rejected. Eventually one captain picks him and the game begins.

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Zinkoff has been unnoticed his whole life until in the fourth grade on race day. Donald is given a very important position on his team's relay race. Donal is so slow, that the team loses the race and the championship. Donald goes from "not noticed" to "big loser". In the fifth grade, Donald is too embarrassed to participate and skips school that day.

Once in middle school, he slowly slips back from "loser" to "nobody", which he struggles with.

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The problem is never really "resolved". The "resolution" would be Donald's attempt to change the perspective of his peers by trying to rescue Claudia. However, this attempt is short-lived and ineffective. Donald never truly changes the tone of his presence. He remains a nobody.

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I honestly loathed this novel. It is slow, it is boring, and it is uneventful. The story also never touches on Donald's "neurodivergence" which is only assumed by the reader and never confirmed by the author. I believe the attempt was to show how some disabilities can "fall through the cracks" and aren't always treated. It is my opinion that this book could be improved greatly.

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This book is available at libraries and through online book platforms.

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The problem of the story is that Zinkoff is never accepted by his peers. He goes most of his life not noticing this, but once he does, he wants to change it.