Title: Maniac Magee
Author: Jerry Spinelli
Major Themes: Racism, Friendship, Sports, Orphans
Synopsis: Jeffrey “Maniac” Magee had no home and no friends—but quickly he became a legend after moving into town and pulling amazing stunts.
I’m not sure when I bought Maniac Magee, but I know it was a long time ago. I’m doing a two-month reading challenge right now, and one prompt for this month was, “a book that has been on your TBR list for at least two years.” I sorted our library catalog by the category “To Read” and by date added, and the oldest book I found that I hadn’t read was this one—it’s been in our library since I first cataloged it, ten years ago this month! So, it was time to read it.
Publisher’s description:
They say Maniac Magee was born in a dump. They say his stomach was a cereal box and his heart a sofa spring.
What’s truth, what’s myth? When Jeffrey Lionel Magee wanders into Two Mills, Pennsylvania, a legend is born. Jeffrey’s just a scruffy twelve-year-old kid. But before long, the stories begin to circulate: about how fast and how far he can run. About how he hits the world’s first-ever “frogball” for an inside-the-park home-run bunt. About how he scores forty-nine touchdowns when he plays football with the high school team, and about how he performs other feats so incredible that he’s soon being called “Maniac.” All that is nothing compared to the bravest, craziest thing Jeffery ever does at Two Mills—for the kids from the East End and from the West End.
This is his story. It’s a story that is very careful not to get the facts mixed up with the truth.
My thoughts:
I had no idea what to expect from this book—but I sure wouldn’t have expected what it was. Wow, so many themes are explored here. Being an orphan, a broken family, racism, homelessness—and that’s only a few facets of the story! Maniac had an incredible ability to adapt, to see the good in people, and to find ways to improve their lives. He found ways to bring people together and to help them, even when they were angry with him.
I loved so much of Maniac Magee. Yes, some scenes were hard and ugly—but love and kindness overrode the ugliness and hatred, most of the time. This is a story of a boy with no family and friends, who seeks and finds family and friends. It is a wonderful story of healing, community, connection…and family. Don’t wait as long as I did to read it!
WARNING: Chapter 13: Sure as heck. Chapter 32: Someone dies. Chapter 45: Damn. All through: people bullying other people, making threats.
Age levels:
Listening Level—Ages 12 – 15
Reading Independently—Ages 12 – 15, 15 and Above, Adults
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Hardcover | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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