Maniac Magee Author:Jerry Spinelli He wasn't born with the name Maniac Magee. His real name was Jeffrey Lionel Magee, but when his parents died and his life changed, so did his name. — Maniac Magee was a legend. Kids were always talking about how fast he could run; how high he could jump; how no knot would stay knotted onc ehe began to untie it. But the thing Maniac Magee was b... more »est known for is what he did for the kids from the black East End and those from the white West End of Two Mills.
Maniac Magee was special. And this is his story.« less
I read this book in grade school and it was one of the books that made me start reading on my own and not just feel like I had to. I would recommend this to any younger child to get them to start to love reading as well as to teach them about a variety of different issues.
A very interesting book for adolescents about issues such as race, competetion, and having no where to go. Maniac Magee teaches a whole town a lesson about understanding and looking withIN rather than only at the outside of a person.
MANIAC MAGEE is one of those unassuming, yet quietly powerful novels, despite its Newbery Award win and near canonization in modern children's literature. It's a seriously ageless novel, in that readers can always get something new out of it, no matter what age you are. When I read this book for the first time in elementary school, I enjoyed the realistic banter between the children, between the blacks and the whites. Now, as I reread it for my children's literature class, I am in awe of the way that Spinelli effortlessly weaves a moral tale into something entertaining and unique. His language is brilliance, stars and moon itself, and his characters are memorable and relatable. Even though I'm still not a fan of Maniac, with his improbable feats and passivity, this book is a must-read if you're looking for the best of the best in children's lit.
There are few writers of Spinelli's caliber for middle grades. He captures the essence of being a young boy struggling to be a young man. Every adolescent boy (and girls who want to better understand boys) should read this book.
MANIAC MAGEE is one of those unassuming, yet quietly powerful novels, despite its Newbery Award win and near canonization in modern children's literature. It's a seriously ageless novel, in that readers can always get something new out of it, no matter what age you are. When I read this book for the first time in elementary school, I enjoyed the realistic banter between the children, between the blacks and the whites. Now, as I reread it for my children's literature class, I am in awe of the way that Spinelli effortlessly weaves a moral tale into something entertaining and unique. His language is brilliance, stars and moon itself, and his characters are memorable and relatable. Even though I'm still not a fan of Maniac, with his improbable feats and passivity, this book is a must-read if you're looking for the best of the best in children's lit.
MANIAC MAGEE is one of those unassuming, yet quietly powerful novels, despite its Newbery Award win and near canonization in modern children's literature. It's a seriously ageless novel, in that readers can always get something new out of it, no matter what age you are. When I read this book for the first time in elementary school, I enjoyed the realistic banter between the children, between the blacks and the whites. Now, as I reread it for my children's literature class, I am in awe of the way that Spinelli effortlessly weaves a moral tale into something entertaining and unique. His language is brilliance, stars and moon itself, and his characters are memorable and relatable. Even though I'm still not a fan of Maniac, with his improbable feats and passivity, this book is a must-read if you're looking for the best of the best in children's lit.
MANIAC MAGEE is one of those unassuming, yet quietly powerful novels, despite its Newbery Award win and near canonization in modern children's literature. It's a seriously ageless novel, in that readers can always get something new out of it, no matter what age you are. When I read this book for the first time in elementary school, I enjoyed the realistic banter between the children, between the blacks and the whites. Now, as I reread it for my children's literature class, I am in awe of the way that Spinelli effortlessly weaves a moral tale into something entertaining and unique. His language is brilliance, stars and moon itself, and his characters are memorable and relatable. Even though I'm still not a fan of Maniac, with his improbable feats and passivity, this book is a must-read if you're looking for the best of the best in children's lit.
This book was wonderful. I just read it for the first time as an adult but I wish everyone could read it. Such a great reminder that we are not different from each other.
A GREAT read for older elementary students...Fifth and sixth graders will identify and connect to Maniac, and will be impressed with his ability to survive on his own for much of the time. It is a great book to use as a springboard to discuss race relations or race divisions. Maniac serves as the unlikely vehicle for affecting a change of heart and attitude in a Philadelphia area neighborhood.
MANIAC MAGEE is one of those unassuming, yet quietly powerful novels, despite its Newbery Award win and near canonization in modern children's literature. It's a seriously ageless novel, in that readers can always get something new out of it, no matter what age you are. When I read this book for the first time in elementary school, I enjoyed the realistic banter between the children, between the blacks and the whites. Now, as I reread it for my children's literature class, I am in awe of the way that Spinelli effortlessly weaves a moral tale into something entertaining and unique. His language is brilliance, stars and moon itself, and his characters are memorable and relatable. Even though I'm still not a fan of Maniac, with his improbable feats and passivity, this book is a must-read if you're looking for the best of the best in children's lit.
