Nutmeg Children's Book Award - 2005

Loser
by Jerry Spinelli

Trade: HarperCollins 2002 ISBN: 0060001933
Library: HarperCollins 2002 ISBN: 0060004835
Paper: HarperCollins 2003 ISBN: 0060540745
Audio: HarperAudio 2002 ISBN: 0060087943

Discussion questions
1. How does Donald Zinkoff’s family demonstrate their love for him? What does “unconditional love” mean? How does his family’s love help his self-esteem?
2. Donald really liked two of his teachers, Miss Meeks and Mr.Yalowitz. What is it about those teachers that he admired and respected? Have you had a teacher that you admire and respect? Tell about it.
3. What did you think about Donald’s “Take Your Kid to Work Day”? Would it have been more meaningful if he could have gone on the same day as the other children in his class? Why or why not?
4. How does Donald react when children tease him or make fun of him? What do you suppose the other children think when he doesn’t react the way they might expect him to?
5. Discuss whether you think Donald is a “loser”? As you think about it, notice the picture on the cover of the book. Why do you think it was drawn in that way?
6. Retell or rewrite an episode from the story as if you were Donald Zinkoff. (that means from a first-person point of view)
7. Tell about a part (or parts) of the story that made you happy. Sad. Angry.
8. What is your opinion of Zinkoff at the end of the book? Do you think he’s a hero?
9. Did you like this book? Why or why not?

Vocabulary Words
hoagie (p.1) totters (p.116)
constraints (p.3) negotiation (p.125)
dramatically (p.14) tintinnabulation (p.150)
clunker (p.25) ricochet (p.173)
intrepid (p.38) silhouette (p.182)

Activities

Word Games
http://www.unit5.org/oakdaleimc/Tech2003/story.htm

Jerry Spinelli biographical information
http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Stu/hcovingt/ezine6.htm

Submitted by: Judy Rossa -- Bridgeport Public Library, North Branch

Last updated on: 18 September, 2008

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