Maniac Magee

Spinelli, J. (1999). Maniac Magee. Little, Brown and Company. (Original work published 1990). 180 pages. ISBN 0316809063

Primary genre: realistic fiction

Other elements: family, friends, folklore

Intended reader age: 11 and up

Synopsis:

Maniac Magee, born Jeffery Lionel Magee, is practically a legend when he makes his way to Two Mills. Before achieving that status however, he was just a normal boy. The death of his parents when he was three and the unhappy marriage and home life of the aunt and uncle that take over raising him, however, drive Jeffery away and set him on the path to becoming Maniac Magee. The only thing Maniac wants is a happy, safe home but when he does find it prejudice and a racially divided town send him on his way to search again.

Review:

This is a book that offers so many discussion topics because of the multitude of issues that are addressed: loss, importance of family/ home, homeless, runaways, racism, acceptance, underage drinking, and neglect are a few that really stood out to me. The issue that I saw pushing the story along the most was Maniac’s search for a home and family. There were times where he found it but something always interfered and pushed him to start looking again. It was the loss of this that started the story and the desire for this that compelled him to run from his aunt and uncle. They felt an obligation to remain in their unhappy life, but Maniac wanted more than that and went out to find it.

I found it interesting that Maniac was invested in continuing his education, even though he did not want to go to school. This issue was not addressed when he was living with the Beale’s, it was discussed how Amanda went to school, but not Maniac. The issue was raised in the next section by Grayson, who had not finished school or even learned how to read himself. The issue of kids in school was raised again with Russell and Piper because they were absolutely against going and only went if they were bribed. The most curious part of the story for me was Maniac’s stay with the McNab family and even he questioned this himself. He fought everyday to get those kids to school and it was never really made clear at the end if they made a conscious decision to start going on their own. Their interactions with Mar’s Bar’s mother does leave readers with the feeling that they are on their way to a change in lifestyle. It is only hoped that their resolve can withstand their home life.

The only other book I have read by Spinelli was Stargirl, but I have heard that many of his other books are just as engaging and I believe this is his only book to be a Newbery award winner.