But different from other novels, the protagonist Sinkov is a "somewhat special child": he is "sloppy, arrives at school too early, giggles, is slow to respond and always writes wrong answers", and he always "tries to do everything well like a donkey", but he always doesn't realize that he has made many mistakes. At first, Sinkov didn't realize this problem. He is always so "happy" and easily "excited" by trifles. Although his grades in school are never good, he still works so hard and persists every day.
This story doesn't have the happy ending like Forrest Gump.
In order to have a good performance in the outdoor sports meeting, Sinkov has been actively practicing at home. Gary Pin Ho, a top athlete in the class, threatened Shinkov not to take part in the outdoor sports meeting of the school, so as not to affect the performance of the yellow team. Shinkov continued to practice, even harder and longer ... but on outdoor sports day, he got up and went out as usual, but he didn't go to school "wisely". ...
In the climax of the book, Sinkov himself goes out to look for Claudia on a snowy night. When he finally fell down, he realized that the girl Claudia had been found and sent home. This "desperate" and "persistent behavior" won Sinkov some "attention and respect", but the real life seems to have changed, and nothing seems to have changed. ......
From zero to hero, it seems to be just an elusive legend.
But Sinkov, still warm, still kind, still persistent, growth itself is a kind of meaning, because growth means hope, even a miracle.
Original title: Loser, literally translated as "loser", Chinese version translated as "boy who wants to win" It still feels a little inaccurate. Sinkov is just enthusiastic, kind and persistent, trying to live with a sense of "stupidity", without such a strong sense of "wanting to win" or such an obvious sense of winning or losing. Even though he is not welcome to join the outdoor sports day in all the classes, he is more sad that he is "not accepted" than winning or losing.
The reason why the ugly duckling can become a beautiful swan is because she is a swan, not what the ugly duckling did the day after tomorrow. But in fact, most of us are "ducks", ordinary people, that is, the kind of "humble children." With an ordinary face and ordinary talent. But from time to time, I can also have a "highlight moment to win" with the same ordinary friends. It is natural for the "passers-by" who lost and won to integrate into an equally ordinary group.
But it's different for the new Kefu. He is "bad at study, sports, music and nothing". He never seems to show his face. The only flash in the book is that he once got the only "A" in his class. An ordinary child like him, even a real ugly duckling, can be regarded as a "loser" in the eyes of the mainstream world.
How can he accept himself as a "loser" in the eyes of others when he realizes that he is actually not good or even poor?
I think this is the problem contained in the title of this book:
On the cover of the English version, it reads: "Why do you want to fit in when you can stand out!" Since you are different, why do you have to be like others? This may be the author's attitude: accept, let nature take its course, and see his brilliance. This is a deep pity. Instead of sympathy, pity, and excessive concern. ......
Sinkov's English name is Zinkoff, which seems to come from "zinc".
Zinc is chemically active and prone to chemical reactions, which also means "attracting attention" in English. It echoes enthusiasm, mobility and self-control and always attracts people's attention.
In addition, zinc is an indispensable trace element in human body, and zinc deficiency will affect brain development and reduce human immunity. Then Sinkov must also have the qualities that are indispensable to us as the spirit of all things and human beings: kindness, enthusiasm, persistence, consideration for others and love for life. ......
Two wishful friendships and an unsuccessful adventure constitute three very positive and conscious self-breakthroughs.
Sinkov thinks that his new friend is his neighbor when he was six years old: the son of a banker and an angry and grouchy Andrew.
At first, I wanted to make friends with Andrew, because I wanted to help the new Andrew "not hide".
Sinkov's thoughts! It's all about helping others!
There are four scenes in the story about the interaction between Sinkov and Andrew:
Cold reception, rejection and indifference again and again did not douse Sinkov's considerate, warm and sincere heart.
Because a topic in Examination aroused Sinkov's social consciousness. He carefully chose Hector Bean, and he seemed to be equally "lonely". Even Hector Bean's "whimsy" (making candles out of earwax) was greatly appreciated by him. Even in order to realize the wishes of friends, I quietly collect my own earwax. The result is still rejection and alienation.
This is the first friend that Sinkov tried to make. He wants to cultivate his "best friend". I have carefully handled the procedures of "staying overnight" and "exchanging secrets" and other good friends, but I still haven't gained the friendship I expected.
Is it social depravity and people's hearts are not ancient?
Are children selfish, mean and unsympathetic nowadays?
Do children need to be friends with Sinkov out of pity, sympathy and help?
Or the author's sentence: "Why do you fit in when you can stand out?"?
Sinkov, who can't go to school, is bored by the homework in the third grade, challenging the darkness in the basement or the monster in the dark: the stove monster.
The description in chapter 14 is vivid, and it feels that Sinkov is "fearless" and "unyielding". He tried to convince his fears, he tried to communicate with imaginary monsters, and so on. In his mind, the dark monster is not a sworn enemy, but another object to discuss and try to get along with. Behind this is the metaphor of facing the darkness and walking with the night.
He challenged again and again, summed up his experience and tried various ways. He gradually set goals, cheered himself up, and put socks in his mouth in the last paragraph. He almost succeeded, but unfortunately he still failed.
While I am still feeling sorry for him, he has no time to delay in "regret or regret".
He is just trying to live, but he doesn't take winning or losing too seriously. In this regard, he has no unnecessary entanglement, and he can easily accept his failure. Because this is the result of his efforts. However, this does not affect his continued efforts and enthusiasm. Therefore, this is not "lying flat" or "Buddhism", but a kind of "wisdom".
The metaphor of light and darkness runs through the whole story.
From the materialistic point of view, Sinkov is a kind of synaesthesia obstacle, which has brought certain obstacles and troubles to his study and social interaction.
From the spiritual point of view, it can also be said that his spiritual settlement has encountered some obstacles in his mind and soul, so he is clumsy, hard and difficult, and lacks awareness of environmental hints and paralanguage, which needs to be clarified.
His own frustration, ridicule and rejection from the outside world (darkness) did not make Sinkov give up and sink. He is still full of enthusiasm and dedication to the world and has a heart of truth, goodness and beauty.
On the story clue, I feel the three-stage structural clue of "light-darkness-light (starlight)":
The second chapter, Bright and Wide World, describes it from the perspective of Sinkov, and further introduces this somewhat unruly, ordinary and even special child. But in Sinkov's eyes, the world is bright and vast, just like inviting him: I am asking you to run; Or dive into the pool.
All this made him very excited and uncontrollable.
This is the * * * sexual characteristics of such children: excitable, uncontrollable, enthusiastic, devoted, regardless of others.
The world began to give Sinkov constant feedback, mostly frustration, rejection and even unfriendly bullying.
This process can be divided into two stages:
(1) The first stage is from chapter 3 to chapter 14, Sinkov's first to third grades: this is Sinkov's fantasy. He is still not clear about himself and his consciousness, but he has accumulated some "darkness" in his subconscious. This is the reason why chapter 14 was born. He wants to challenge himself and get along with these darkness. He worked hard and made great progress, but he still lost.
There are many meaningful words and wonderful metaphors in chapter 14, Furnace Monster.
(2) The second stage is from chapter 15 to chapter 22. Chapter 15 "Discovery" accurately describes the state of fourth-grade children. They began to wake up and re-examine the world around them and their partners, so "Sinkov was discovered". This made his situation more difficult. therefore
These darkness, frustration, rejection, these things gradually accumulated and became "hard things with thorns" in his soul.
The turning point of this stage is that the hard and prickly thing gradually dissolved and melted in the listening of the "grateful" old lady.
At the end of this stage, at the primary school graduation ceremony, the attendance and support of the whole family made Sinkov feel the acceptance and unconditional love of his family. These things become the eternal support and frontier, so that he will not get lost.
Three lights, the sun, the moon and the stars, the sun cannot shine forever. We must walk with the night.
After the primary school graduation ceremony, Sinkov seems to gain more certainty and self-confidence, and he is more confident and independent. So there was a "feat" of "looking for a girl alone on a snowy night". Until he fainted when he was cold and tired, he didn't find the little girl (the little girl was found long ago), but his intentions and feats won the affirmation and respect of the people around him, but it was far from Sinkov's gorgeous turn from waste to hero.
The external "sun" has not come yet, and the stars are still there. Those "starlight" are humanity, nobility, kindness, beauty, truth, faith and hope in people's hearts.
People need to be their own "sun", because we believe that those distant stars, these lights, will illuminate their way forward in the dark.
The blue sky is bottomless,
Like a small stone sinking into the sea,
When night falls,
The stars in the daytime are invisible to the naked eye.
You can't see it, but it's there,
There are some things we can't see.
Dried and dispersed dandelion,
Quietly hiding in the cracks,
When spring comes,
Its strong eyes can't see.
You can't see it, but it's there,
There are some things we can't see.
After reading this book, especially after combing the clue of "light-darkness-starlight". I suddenly thought of the stars and dandelions in Jin Meiling. For me, Sinkov is a deep-rooted dandelion, and I believe in the stars.
The sun is the present star, and the star is the distant sun. The light comes down in one continuous line, and the starlight is shining and dancing in the distance as hope. There are many words about stars in the article, which I think is very meaningful.
The night gave me black eyes, but I used them to look for light.
The external light is the eternal star, and the internal light is the heart lamp that believes in truth, goodness and beauty.
Sinkov's family can only afford a broken car, which is cheap, shabby and has frequent breakdowns, but it is still treasured by his father.
On the other hand, Sinkov "would never say the word' broken car' to his father because it would make him sad." (Good questions in Chapter 6)
Broken cars can take dad to work, and Sinkov and his son can go to work in person as their warm lunch hall. .....
On the day of outdoor sports, after all the children laughed at and scolded him, my father saw Sinkov, who was so angry that he collapsed, and took her out for a trip in a broken car.
The broken car is actually Sinkov. A broken car in the eyes of others is still a precious car in the eyes of parents.
This metaphor is almost as wonderful as the mouse in Wednesday's war.
In Lane 900 of Willow Street, those who always look out of the window of the house are those who have never given up hope and are still waiting for the return of their missing brothers in Vietnam.
He is neither sad nor happy, persistent and firm. This "waiting person" represents faith, hope, love and patience.
Hope is the reward for persistence and patience, and behind it is love.
She warmly expressed her gratitude by releasing her kindness. Every time I see Sinkov, I warmly call him "the postman". The old lady is a grateful person and a giver.
A grateful person must be a giver, so he came to the old lady's house on the outdoor sports day in Sinkov, and he felt relieved.
The old lady is friendly and kind, and dares to express her love and gratitude to others. She stands for "eternal kindness to the world" and "gratitude and cherish blessings".
The lovely little girl Claudia is a weaker character than Sinkov. She is a representative of "weakness" and a "cared for" who can be cared for and cared for by Sinkov. In the interaction with her, Sinkov saw the value of "helping others and understanding others" and felt that she was "needed" and was rewarded. (Hard chewing gum as a "lucky stone")
The little girl is the representative of all "needy" and "weak", and people can better see their own value only in the care and goodwill of others.
The little girl who is treated well believes that when she grows up, she will repay the world with the same kindness and be kind to all the people around her who need help. This is also the value of Sinkov's help.
That hard and prickly thing is the frustration, injustice, shame and the pain of not being understood that still accumulates in Sinkov's heart.
Because Sinkov was too young before, although he couldn't tell why, he could feel his frustration and those unfriendly behaviors in his surroundings. Over time, these things became obstacles to suppress his heart.
Listening in good faith made him feel understood and respected, so he dispelled these repressed emotions and let himself get some relief.
At the primary school graduation ceremony, Sinkov, who was gradually awake, was grateful for everything that happened in the primary school and was moved by the graduation scene. He didn't hear the headmaster call his name at last. When he stumbled onto the stage, he saw his parents and sister Polly and applauded himself warmly and loudly. I saw Yanovia, a primary school teacher, give me a thumbs up.
The love and unconditional acceptance of these family members and comprehenders is the border of Sinkov. He doesn't have to worry about getting lost or being abandoned At this moment, he felt solid support and eternal support.
This part mainly refers to:
Environment/scene
Character; function
question
Sinkov is different. He can't do many things well, so he is ignored and left out in the cold.
Event 1: On the first day of school, Sinkov's giraffe hat was robbed. This is the first time he has been teased for being special;
Event 2: Sinkov played truant during outdoor sports and went to the old lady's house in Willow Street.
Event 3: Sinkov went to middle school but disappeared, and he became a neglected nobody;
Event 4: Sinkov went out to look for Claudia on a stormy night until late at night, and was discovered by snow blower after fainting;
Solution or ending: The children at school still make fun of Sinkov until someone tells us about his feat of finding a little girl late at night. Finally, Bonce agreed to let Sinkov join the game.
This is not a typical "heroic journey" routine. But there are still some traces to be found;
This is an open ending:
Sinkov's feat of searching for girls on a snowy night did not dramatically change his situation. The children at school still don't like him, but they have turned around. Finally, at Sinkov's insistence, Bunce, the head of the child, chose Sinkov to join the game.
The story came to an abrupt end here, leaving an infinite imagination.
Will Sinkov get better and better and be welcomed by children?
Or will everything slowly return to the past?
Who knows?
But we know that both Shenkov and the people around him are changing and growing.
As long as you grow up, there is hope and infinite possibilities. Can you believe it?
Jerry Spinelli, 194 1 was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and is a famous American literary writer. /kloc-at the age of 0/6, he published a poem describing the American football game in the local newspaper and turned to be a writer. After graduating from Gettysburg College, I worked in a magazine and wrote at the same time.
The first four works were rejected, but the fifth novel, Seventh Grade in Space Station, was unexpectedly favored by children's book publishers. Other works include 199 1 Madman Magee, which won the New Bogeling Gold Award; 1998, The Wriggler, and The Loser and Crash, which won the Silver Award for Children's Literature by Judy Lopez.
Jerry lives in Pennsylvania with his wife Irene, who is also a writer. Their six children and sixteen grandchildren provided them with rich writing materials. I believe there must be "special children" like Sinkov among these children. Otherwise, how could "paying attention to personality" become the theme of his writing? How did he write so many stories with similar themes? Crazy McKee, the boy who wants to win, the star girl ......
A book review about Star Girl should also summarize The Boy Who Wants to Win:
Spinelli weaves a profound and sharp story, which is mixed with bitterness and sweetness, and captures the essence of personal uniqueness. Star girls will awaken young readers and remember the inner innocence of once young adult readers.
-"Good Book Announcement"
Young readers will be inspired;
Once young adult readers will be awakened;