Loser

Zinkoff is like all kids - running, playing, riding his bike. Hoping for snow days, wanting to be his dad when he grows up. Zinkoff is not like the other kids - raising his hand with all the wrong answers, tripping over his own feet, falling down with laughter over a word like 'Jabip.' The kids have their own word to describe him, but Zinkoff is too busy to hear it. Once again, Newbery Medal-winning author Jerry Spinelli uses great wit and humor to create the unique story of Zinkoff as he travels from first through sixth grades. 'Loser' is a touching book about the human spirit, the importance of failure, and how any name can someday be replaced with 'hero.'