Maniac Magee (1990)Spinelli, Jerry
Fiction
First born as Jeffery Magee, Maniac Magee is a young orphan boy that has no real home of his own. He becomes friends with everyone and lives in many different places all the while doing incredible feats that are a amazing to all. He becomes a legend just by being himself.
As Maniac goes throughout his very interesting and awesome life he shows that you don't need to be afraid but that you can conquer your fears. He also shows how everyone can be friends.
Maniac Magee is a casual novel that is very realistic and shows what it was like when everything was segregated. It is very descriptive and shows the littlest details that most people would skip over. It is written in a third-person limited point of view which works with the book very good. The narrator is outside of the book and tell everything that is going on but also tells some of Maniac's thoughts.
Maniac Magee is a intended for middle to upper elementary school readers but is also very appealing to older readers. It is pretty easy to understand and very good which is why it fits for all ages. Some racial slurs are used but nothing thats that big of a deal which is why it is compatible with most people.
I first read this book 5 or 6 years ago and have read it many times since then. I enjoy it very much and would reccomend it to most people.
Maniac Magee is a Newberry Medal winner and Booklist says about the book, "Writing that bursts with creativity, enthusiasm, and hope for the future; in short it's a celebration of life." Common Sense Media says about the book, "this exciting and moving story, brilliantly told, has something for everyone." I would reccomend this book to anyone that wants a great easy read.
