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livruther's review against another edition
emotional
4.25
this book was so important to me as a kid❤️
mckenzierichardson's review against another edition
2.0
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-CycleThis book was really difficult for me to get into. As a kid, I remember a lot of my friends reading it. As an adult, I still didn't really know what it was about having never read it in school, so when I saw it in the Little Free Lending Library, I picked it up for a quick read.Mostly, the book was just sad. There is no doubt the reader will fall in love with Zinkoff's character, but you just feel bad for him the whole time. He is such a sweetheart, but nothing really goes his way. He is wonderful and has good intentions. He accepts everything that happens to him and is such a champ about everything that you just want everything to work out for him. And when something doesn't, you just die a little bit inside. It's like that repetitively. That's basically the summation of the book: Zinkoff's tries and fails over and over and over again.The ending was a bit of a disappointment as well. I don't really feel like anything happened. Through the whole book, you are just waiting for Zinkoff's big moment, and while something occurs that maybe makes things a little bit better maybe hopefully possibly, there isn't a big moment or lesson. At least none that I picked up. I couldn't really figure out what the moral was supposed to be. Looking at the cover, I assumed it was about someone who was bullied and then proved the bullies wrong or the bullies got in trouble or the kid is finally accepted at the end, but none of those things really happen, at least not in a big way. The ending is very subtle and not very satisfying. This book is just sad and kind of depressing. As a adult I didn't enjoy it. I am already depressed about so many things, I didn't need a fictional child to feel bad for as well, especially one that you continue to pity all the way to the end.Okay read, but apparently I just didn't "get" it. A little to subtle for my taste.
aly_bu's review against another edition
4.0
This was, I found, a very interesting book to read. The perspective changes our thoughts on the mental condition of the kid in ways I couldn't imagine I would ever be changed.
bookishcardigan's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book is truly for the neurodivergents everywhere
wintermote's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A sweet story about a boy with exceptionalities.
ubalstecha's review against another edition
Brilliant story of a boy who is the class outcast and the world he lives in. Spinelli's tale engages and thrills as we see the loser do something spectacular and heroic, changing his path.
travelinkiki's review against another edition
4.0
I really love Maniac Magee, so I wanted to try another Spinelli book. I'm so glad I did - Loser is a very thought-provoking read. In this book, Spinelli creates a very interesting character in Donald Zinkoff. The subject matter is difficult. Bullying is a real and serious problem, but Donald's take on life is new and refreshing. Spinelli hints at things that go on with Donald, but he doesn't outright tell you, particularly at the end. I like having the open ending to imagine how Donald's life turns out.
kmudzy07's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying