Looking Through Candy Eyes: Loser

Loser by Jerry Spinelli

Loser by Jerry Spinelli is about the childhood of Donald Zinkoff and challenges he has to face as a child. The book centered on Donald's life from the first grade to sixth grade. Zinkoff is usually the last person picked for athletic teams, he raises his hand even if he does not know the answer, his flute consistently hits the wrong note during concerts, and he is always too eager at the wrong times.

First grade is when Zinkoff is introduced to school. He loves school but he sits at the back of the classroom because the class is arranged alphabetically. When his team does not want him to participate in that year's sport's day because of his poor performance during last year's sport's day. This saddened Zinkoff so much. Sixth grade is Zinkoff's first year of Middle School, where he reunites with his former neighbor from second grade, Andrew. Andrew has changed his name to fit his new lifestyle and because it sounds "cooler". Andrew has become Drew, a sixth grader who has confidence in the crowded halls and a cell phone in his book bag. This gave Donald an idea and made him realize how much of a difference there is between him and his peers. Even though his peers call him loser, he's not. Donald is a very loving boy and has heart of gold. He does not judge and is very appreciative. This is shown through his interactions with his parents and the lonely, elderly lady in his neighborhood, and when spends hours looking for a little girl from his neighborhood who becomes lost in a snowstorm.

I like this book because I know that somehow there is a Donald in us. I realized how simple a kid's life is but has its own set of problems as well. Being a child is uncomplicated. Children like Donald take pleasure in the simplest of activities, from spending the day with his dad pretending to deliver mail, to biking all over his neighborhood and checking on the waiting man. The book teaches its readers (not only kids!) that we should stay optimistic and maintain a positive self-image. Although Donald is constantly rejected by his peers, he never fails to try to become accepted and be part of the crowd. While this does not happen, the book ends on an optimistic note, which seems fitting for Zinkoff's positive philosophy on life. Although Donald remained a Loser, he never loses a hold of who he is and he continuously believes in what he can do. For me that is more important, that you know who you are and you do not let society and what they say get into you.