He received a bachelors degree from gettysburg college and a masters degree from johns hopkins university. Jerry spinelli has 82 books on goodreads with 839923 ratings. Jerry spinelli books biography and list of works author. But zinkoff also raises his hand with all the wrong answers, trips. His novels are recognized for their humor and poignancy, and his characters and situations are often drawn from his. This novel study divides loser into six sections for study. The first edition of the novel was published in may 1st 2002, and was written by jerry spinelli. He grew up playing a wide variety of sports, including soccer and baseball. A fast, fun, friendship read from the newberyaward winning author of maniac magee. The book is unique among spinellis work in that it is. This study guide consists of approximately 38 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of loser. Jerry spinelli was born in norristown, pennsylvania in 1941. Just like other kids, zinkoff rides his bike, hopes for snow days, and wants to be like his dad when he grows up. His other books include smiles to go, loser, space station seventh grade, who put that hair in my toothbrush.
Donald zinkoff cant sit still, cant stop laughing, falls over his own feet, adores school and silly words and his family, is prone to throwing up due to a defective stomach valve, is impervious to peer pressure, and never frets about being perennially last in any competition just as hes last in the alphabet. The text and graphics are adapted from the original source. Pdf loser book by jerry spinelli free download 218 pages. Two years after that, stargirl was named one of the best 10 books for young adults by the american library association. This board is all about how to use spinelli s books in the classroom, from eggs to stargirl. Jerry spinelli is the author of over fifteen immensely popular books for young readers, including stargirl, space station seventh grade, newbery honor winner wringer, and maniac magee, winner of more than fifteen state childrens book awards in addition to the newbery medal. Author jerry spinelli stated that the character stargirl from his young adult novel stargirl was inspired by his own wife, eileen spinelli, whom he thinks is one step ahead. Jul 29, 2003 jerry spinelli received the newbery medal for maniac magee and a newbery honor for wringer. Please limit the use and distribution of these materials accordingly. Satterfield elementary school or monroe middle school. Charging joyously into each day, zinkoff baffles older. Loser, by jerry spinelli, is one of my favorite fiction novels. Jerry spinelli talks about his own childhood and what influenced him to create zinkoff the lead character in his bestselling book, loser. Loser by jerry spinelli books, resources, supplies.
As readers follow zinkoff from first through sixth grade, it becomes impossible not to identify with and root for him through failures and triumphs. When i was growing up, i didnt have much choice of favorite authors because i didnt read very much. He worked as an editor with chilton from 1966 to 1989. Spinelli was born in norristown, pennsylvania, and currently resides in phoenixville, pennsylvania. In addition to maniac magee, jerrys books include stargirl, love, stargirl and wringer. Jul 25, 2017 jerry spinelli writes some of the best books for middle grade students. Loser 2002, by american author jerry spinelli, is a coming of age novel. Fans and writing interview with jerry spinelli about the wardens daughter. What are some of your favorite books from childhood.
Books by jerry spinelli jerry spinelli average rating 3. Spinelli has written a number of childrens books and is a winner of the newbery medal, one of the most prestigious awards given for childrens literature. May 11, 2004 discover book depositorys huge selection of jerry spinelli books online. Jerry spinelli born february 1, 1941 is an american writer of childrens novels that feature adolescence and early adulthood. Jan 08, 2008 from renowned newberywinning author jerry spinelli comes a powerful story about how not fitting in just might lead to an incredible life. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. You can copy as an entire packet or you can copy pages individually. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Jerry spinelli was born on february 1st, 1941 in norristown, pennsylvania. Jerry spinelli books, author biography, and reading level. It details the growth of donald zinkoff, who is branded a loser by his classmates due to his clumsiness, poor performance in school and athletics, and sometimes clueless enthusiasm. Jerry spinelli is currently considered a single author. But childrens publishers did and thats how, by accident, i became an author of books for kids. Author interview with jerry spinelli the secret files of.
An interview with jerry spinelli jerry spinelli talks about his own childhood and what influenced him to create zinkoff the lead character in his bestselling book, loser. As he did in stargirl, newbery medalwinning author jerry spinelli again explores the cruelty of a student body and how it does and doesnt affect one student, pure of spirit. Everything you need for a novel study on loser by jerry spinelli. He lives in phoenixville, pennsylvania with his wife, fellow childrens book author eileen spinelli. At the age of 16, his love of sports inspired him to compose. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of loser by jerry spinelli.
His novels are recognized for their humor and poignancy, and his characters and situations are often drawn from his reallife experience as a father of six children. When jerry spinelli is not writing, he likes to play tennis, pick berries, gaze up at the stars, and spend time with his 16 grandchildren. The dms was lucky enough to interview jerry spinelli, author of the middle grade novel loser. He is best known for maniac magee, stargirl and wringer.
Spinelli follows him from early childhood through middle school. There are many ways that you can use these resources. Presumably if loser makes one child view a different kid as a threedimensional character, spinelli will consider his book successful. Oct, 2009 from renowned newberywinning author jerry spinelli comes a powerful story about how not fitting in just might lead to an incredible life. The main plot of the story is that donald zinkoff has horrible handwriting, is clumsy, and is a loser to everyone else. This adapted literature resource is available through the. See the progress your students make while they are reading. Once again, newbery medalwinning author jerry spinelli uses great wit and humor to create the unique story of zinkoff as he travels from first through sixth grades.
He launched his career in childrens literature with space station 7th grade in 1982. Im lucky enough to be the first one to read her books. Jerry spinelli primary author only author division. My favorite author now is eileen spinelli, who happens to live in my house here. Jerry spinelli received the newbery medal for maniac magee and a newbery honor for wringer. This can be for a small book club, or for the whole class. Loser worksheets and literature unit by jerry spinelli grades 36 daily reading journal go beyond a simple book report. Author interview with jerry spinelli the secret files of fairday morrow. His novel, maniac magee, had just won the 1991 newbery medal. This classic book is perfect for fans of gordon korman and carl hiaasen. Challenge students comprehension of the novel with a variety of question styles and a final quiz.
This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. Author jerry spinelli answers questions from students about his school daze series, his other books, and how he gets his ideas. Sometimes im asked if i do research for my stories. My favorite of her books is somebody loves you, mr. Free loser study unit worksheets for teachers to print. May 01, 2018 as a newbery awardwinning author, spinelli can expect readers to have high expectations.
Loser is the story donald zinkoff as he moves from the first through the sixth grades. From renowned newberywinning author jerry spinelli comes a powerful story. This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween. Loser is a coming of age young adult novel first published in 2002 by american author jerry spinelli. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 218 pages and is available in mass market paperback format. The main characters of this realistic fiction, fiction story are. The author recounts zinkoffs storya case study of sortsin short sentences from a deliberately reportorial point of view, documenting the first years of the boys life and his evolution into a loser. Loser is a touching book about the human spirit, the importance of failure, and how any name can someday be replaced with hero.
For years jerry dreamed of becoming a major league baseball player. Village audiences in rural japan view stage performances of loser. Students describe zinkoffs selfimage as it appears in the novel. A novel unit and teacher guide this book unit contains several pieces of information for each chapter. Donald is tagged a loser after failing a field day challenge for his fourth grade class, but his unique and inspiring view of. Donald is tagged a loser after failing a field day challenge for his fourth grade class, but his unique and inspiring view of life keeps his spirits afloat. Jerry spinelli 1941 jerry spinelli born february 1, 1941 in norristown, pennsylvania is a noted childrens author, specializing on novels written for and about early adolescence. The story is narrated by the author, jerry spinelli, looking through the eyes of donald zinkoff.
Especially when he produces a novel in the young adult genre. We are excited to learn a little bit more about the story behind the story. Loser by jerry spinelli by school rules overdrive rakuten. Salem is trying to figure out who sent her that mysterious. The son of a typesetter, spinellis family lived in an apartment in front of a brewery for the first years of his life. Jerry spinelli still remembers the sunday night when he was awakened by a phone call. This adapted literature resource is available through the sherlock center resource library. Fortunately, spinelli rarely disappoints and he doesnt disappoint here. These resources are provided for teachers to help students with severe disabilities participate in the general curriculum. In this 2003 novel, he portrays a boy whose physical awkwardness and lack of aptitude for schoolwork gradually isolate him from his peers. Newsela is an instructional content platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject. Important vocabulary words are listed, as well as a literal inthetext question and an inferential inyourhead question for students to answer. Free loser worksheets and literature unit for teachers.
This board is all about how to use spinellis books in the classroom, from eggs to stargirl. Jerry spinelli was born in norristown, pennsylvania on february 1, 1941. From renowned newberywinning author jerry spinelli comes a powerful story about how not fitting in just might lead to an incredible life. Spinelli first decided he wanted to become a writer at the age of 16, when his high school football team won a big game. Interview with awardwinning author jerry spinelli author turf. No, in the sense that i seldom plow through books at the library to gather material. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. Jerry spinellis books appear in more than 40 languages. Sunny is plotting something that will keep the school bullies from ever bothering her again.
Oct 06, 2004 jerry spinelli is the author of over fifteen immensely popular books for young readers, including stargirl, space station seventh grade, newbery honor winner wringer, and maniac magee, winner of more than fifteen state childrens book awards in addition to the newbery medal. When spinelli was six years old, his family bought a house and moved to the other side of town. Eddie is on a mission to bulk uphes sick of being the skinniest, scrawniest, runtiest kid in school. Discover book depositorys huge selection of jerry spinelli books online. Fans, writing, and more with jerry spinelli youtube. With some of his finest writing to date and great wit and humor, jerry spinelli creates a story about a boys individuality surpassing the need to fit in and the genuine importance of failure. Comprehension by chapter, vocabulary challenges, creative reading response activities and projects, tests, and much more.
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