Maniac Magee

Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli, is an eye-opening book that shows that one person can change the whole world. Jeffrey, the main character, finds himself at the age of ten, running away from home, away from his broken aunt and uncles. Little does he know that running away would be the start of a search for a new home. Jeffrey finds himself in Two Mills, a racism accepting town in Pennsylvania. When he sees the division between the white and blacks, he was confused. It was then he met Amanda Beale. Amanda, a black girl, became his best friend and she and her family took Maniac into their home. It was an ongoing problem for them. For even though the Beale’s were not racist, everyone else was. Maniac, being naive as he was, ran away thinking it would be less painful. Jeffrey then found Grayson, an elderly man who still lingered in his past baseball dreams. Jeffrey and Grayson became as close as two unrelated beings could be. When Maniac finally felt he had a perfect home, something happened to Grayson that caused Maniac to leave once again. Alone, and homeless, Jeffrey ran back to Two Mills, but this time he lived in a pen with bulls. He felt as though he was unlovable, and that he was incapable of having a true home and family until Amanda comes to save the day. Follow Maniac as he struggles to find a happy family and a home.

Maniac Magee helped me in understanding how things like racism still can and will occur in our generation. Jeffrey, the main character, is the perfect counterpart in order to make the book the best it could most possibly be. Although when you may first pick up the book you will be confused about the story, the farther along you progress, the more you start to fall in love with it. Jerry Spinelli, the author, also portrays the character and scenery so vividly and realistically, you may think that the story is based on true events. But, don’t be fooled, for the story is completely made up and written by the author’s imagination. Try to catch up with Maniac’s journey through fighting for what he believes, while finding a family and home.

Grade Level: - Suggested: 6th-8th - Advanced: 5th Genre: Realistic-fiction Key Elements: Racism, Home, Possible Themes: Racism, Home, Education Overall Rating: 4/5

Happy Reading!

-The Book Lover-

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