'문제아'를 '실패자'로 보는 사회의 통념을 깨트리는 소설.

'자신만의 세계를 가진 아이' 징코프가 초등학교에 입학해서 6학년이 되기까지 겪는 일들을 그린다.

엉뚱한 아이 징코프는 점점 문제아로 부각되었다가 사람들의 관심 밖으로 밀려나기 시작한다.

징코프는 주변 상황에 아랑곳하지 않고 줄기차게 유쾌한 아이다. 사는 게 즐겁고, 학교생활이 즐겁고, 배우는 게 즐겁다. 

그러나 다른 학생들은 징코프가 학교에 오는 것을 싫어한다. 

선생님이 너무 좋아서 앞자리에 앉고 싶고, 자꾸 질문하고 싶고, 몰라도 대답하고 싶은데 말이다.

From renowned Newbery-winning author Jerry Spinelli comes an incredible story about how not fitting in might just lead to an incredible life.

Just like other kids, Zinkoff rides his bike, hopes for snow days, and wants to be like his dad when he grows up. But Zinkoff also raises his hand with all the wrong answers, trips over his own feet, and falls down with laughter over a word like "Jabip." Other kids have their own word to describe him, but Zinkoff is too busy to hear it. He doesn't know he's not like everyone else. And one winter night, Zinkoff's differences show that any name can someday become "hero."

With some of his finest writing to date and great wit and humor, Jerry Spinelli creates a story about a boy's individuality surpassing the need to fit in and the genuine importance of failure. As readers follow Zinkoff from first through sixth grade?making this a perfect classroom read?and watch his character develop, it becomes impossible not to identify with and root for him through failures and triumphs.