Special with a Capital “Z”

Author’s Note: this is a writing piece on word choice, it is meant to tell the tale of a special boy named Donald Zinkoff from the book Loser.

What would you do if you met a boy that you could never upset? A boy who you could never anger? In the novel, Loser by Jerry Spinelli that boy’s name is Donald Zonkoff. Donald Zinkoff is a young boy who can never be mad as if he were Mr. Rogers himself, and it is physically impossible for him to do anything but laugh. If Zinkoff were to here the worst joke in the world he would laugh until tears streamed from his eyes. Zinkoff is a short, brown haired, curious little scamp who appears to always look for trouble. In his second grade year when his teacher Mrs. Biswell, is out of the room Zinkoff goes straight to the chalk board. He claps the erasers together making a complete mess, and when his teacher comes back something most unexpected happens.

In addition, when Zonkoff is stressed such as when his teacher angrily comes back in the room, Zinkoff has a stomach problem in which he pukes more than anyone does on Mardi gras. It is not his fault; the tube that goes down to his stomach is upside-down. He is adored by his parents but questioned by everyone else; to Zinkoff every day is a plus. He is physically uncoordinated and has terrible handwriting, in every class he gets nothing but F’s, yet still has a good time.

Lastly, Zonkoff is the craziest child in the world; he is even the Curious George of his time. He may have a few screws loose but his heart is always in the right place and to him every day is the best day of his life.