Product Description

Zinkoff is unlike other kids in school and so doesn't worry about coming in last place or always having the wrong answers, despite the teasing and comments he gets from those around him, in a tale about maintaining individuality amidst pressures of fitting in with the crowd. Teacher's Guide availabl

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #236197 in Books
• Published on: 2003-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Excerpted from Loser by Jerry Spinelli. Copyright © 2003. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Chapter 7 - Jabip

Here is the surprise: every day is like the first day to Zinkoff. Things keep happening that rekindle the excitement of the first day. Learning to read his first two-syllable work. Making a shoe-box scene about the pilgrims. Counting to five in Spanish. Learning about water and ants and tooth decay. His first fire drill. Making new friends.

At the dinner table Zinkoff tells his parents about his days. But he always waits for his father's question. "So, what's new, Chickamoo?" Or "What's new, Boogaloo?" Or"Kinkachoo." Or "Pookypoo." Many things tickle Zinkoff, but nothing more than the sound of a funny word. Words tickle him like fingertips in the ribs. Every time his father comes up with a new one, Zinkoff has to put down his fork and laugh. Usually he leans to one side, as if the funny word has the force of a great wind. Sometimes he even falls off his chair.

It's his teacher, Miss Meeks, who comes up with the best one. She stands at the blackboard one day, trying to explain what a billion basketballs would look like. "If you put the first one here," she says, pointing to the floor, "and line them up out the door and down the halway and across the playground and down the street - why they would stretch from here to Jabip!"

The classroom is a sea of boggling eyes. Wow!
Someone calls out, "Where's Jabip?"

Miss Meeks explains that there is no actual place called Jabip. It's just her way of saying some place really far away.

At that point Zinkoff, in the last seat in the last row, tilts alarmingly to the left and falls from his chair. The teacher rushes to him. His face is red. Tears stream down from his cheeks. He's gasping for breath.

"Donald! Donald" she calls, though he is inches away.

He looks up at her through watery eyes. He gasps, "Jabip!" He pounds the floor.

That's when Miss Meeks realises her pupil isn't dying, he's merely laughing.

It's a good five minutes before Zinkoff calms down enough for the class to continue. Miss Meeks forbids the class - and herself - to utter the word "Jabip" for the rest of the day. Nevertheless, from time to time there are sudden giggly eruptions from the back row as the word pops back into Zinkoff's head.

When he hears Clunker Four coming that day, he runs alongside the car as it coasts to the kerb. "Daddy! Daddy! Did you ever hear of Jabip?"

"Sure," says his father out the open window. "I also heard of Jaboop."
Zinkoff rolls on the pavement. Jabip. Jaboop. He keeps erupting through dinner. Eating becomes hazardous. His parents smile patiently for he first minute or so, then begin telling him enough is enough. But Zinkoff can't stop. When a bolt of mashed potatoes shoots from his nose, he is sent to his room. That night he giggles through his prayer and into sleep.

Customer Reviews

The best
I bought this book in Gatwick as some light reading for the plane trip to Barcelona. To my embarrassment I found myself laughing out loud and then almost crying out loud. Being the first Spinelli book that I read I then followed up with Stargirl and Wringer and feel they make the perfect reading triptych. I have given them to friends (all adults) and we all agree that they are evocative, emotive and entertaining. However, Loser will remain a firm favorite with me for years to come.

The *dawgrrl* review
Though I did enjoy Stargirl by Mr. Spinelli, which I read last year, Loser just left something to be desired. The main character, Donald Zinkoff, is clumsy, loud, laughs when he shouldn't and throws up often because of a stomach problem. In general, he's a geek. The novel opens with his first day of first grade and continues through his sixth grade year. Zinkoff is not immediately a loser - in fact, there is a moment when he is a hero, but alas, it is not to continue. Around fourth grade, his classmates discover that he is "different" (which I thought was a little bit late - I was already a geek in 3rd grade) and begin to whisper behind his back.

Mr. Spinelli's obvious intent is to make kids reconsider those they have marginalized as losers (this book is a bit like Stargirl in that respect, but it is geared towards a younger audience), but it does not succeed as Stargirl did. It climaxes in a strange scene that takes place during a snowstorm, but this scene for me was very anticlimactic and rather ridiculous. While I agree with the book's premise, I just did not enjoy the ending!

The Kid who loved School
I read the book 'Loser' by Jerry Spinile and I thought it was a fantastic read. Its about a boy called Donald who loves school.Now, you dont get many boys like that nowadays.Donald has loved school from first grade to sixth and is willing to give anything a go. During sixth year a field day comes up and everyone is put into groups, he is put in the purple group with the fastest boy in the school. Unfortunalty he is not very good at sports but as people say, its the taking part that counts.It was the final race and the purples had a chance in winning and Donald was racing. Obivously he lost and everyone made fun of him and that gave him the nickname 'Loser'. To find out what happens next, READ THE BOOK! ITS GREAT!