Loser by Jerry Spinelli

MG Contemporary, 2002 by Harper Collins, 212 Pages 

What I Didn’t Like:

• Oh, that second grade teacher made my parent/teacher heart HURT. It was almost too much to get through. 
• I wanted MORE. Another chapter, another year of school, just MORE. That being said, that’s the mark of a good contemporary story. 

What I Did Like:

• Some of the people this child encounters give me hope. It’s a good reminder how to treat other people (and how not to) even on a bad day or when someone makes a mistake.
• The entire basement scene was brilliant! It’s relatable to anyone who’s been scared of something and it’s just a great show of who this kid is deep down. Absolutely amazing. This part will stay with me. 
• I adore this kid. He’s well written, flawed, personable, and funny. I want only good things for him and I’ve known dozens of kids just like him. I’d read 10 books starring him. 

Who Should Read This One:

• Contemporary middle grade fans who like relatable stories about being a kid! This is similar to Ramona or a slightly older Junior B Jones. 

My Rating: 4 Stars

• Excellent story! Perfect for fans of the genre.