A review by jcpdiesel21
Loser by Jerry Spinelli

4.0

An offbeat story that examines the term "loser" through the experiences of its protagonist. Most of the book is structured as vignettes scattered throughout Donald's younger years, highlighting occurrences both positive and negative that help to shape him as an individual. He is an odd but rather endearing kid, so it was disheartening to read about teachers who he didn't connect with and bullies who focused only on his shortcomings. For the most part, Donald displays a great amount of self-confidence and doesn't let these setbacks immediately discourage him, continuing to stay positive and upbeat. The last portion of the book is centered on a pivotal event that helps shift the image of Donald to his peers, and the last page gives readers hope that things will be much better for him in the future. I liked this a lot more than I expected to, and Donald's distinctive giraffe hat sounded like such a fun accessory for a quirky kid.