Maniac Magee
Jerry Spinelli
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Released: April 2, 1990
Source: Purchased
Summary: Jeffrey Lionel Magee is an orphan sent to live with his aunt and uncle. When he tires of their constant arguing, he runs away, never to look back. A year later, he ends up in Two Mills, PA. While there Jeffrey teaches the citizens, young and old, lessons on friendship, courage, and how wonderful it is to be different.
Review: I very seldom reread novels, especially those that fall in the middle grades category. Maniac Magee is a definite exception to the rule. I recently read this novel for the one millionth time (ok, slight exaggeration) with a group of students during a summer literacy camp and was reminded of why I love it so much!
One of the reasons Jerry Spinelli's masterpiece is amongst my favorite all-time reads is its cast of characters. Focused primarily on Maniac, this novel hosts an extraordinary group of main and secondary characters, most of whom are dynamic. Seeing John McNab and Mars Bar Thompson--the town's two bullies--grow and change throughout the novel as a result of the main conflict excited me and kept me enthralled. Very rarely do secondary characters leave lasting impressions, however those like Mrs. Beale, Hester and Lester (twin children), and an old man simply called an old ragpicker have a major impact on the unfolding of the novel's events. I could continue to gush about Spinelli's exceptional characterization skills, but this literary work is full of special moments.
Throughout much of the story, Maniac is running. However along the way, fascinating events take place. From Maniac performing athletic feats, like hitting a "frogball" to teaching someone to read, the many exciting events keep the plot moving at a fast pace. These events, along with the novel's themes of courage, prejudice, friendship, homelessness, death and family, make Maniac Magee a real gem.
With crisp, clear writing, this book never ceases to amaze me. With each read, I fall more in love with the characters and their individual stories and take note of the hilarious, yet remarkable events.
If there were ever a book I wish I had written myself, Maniac Magee is that book! Equally driven by its characters and plot, Jerry Spinelli has perfectly crafted a novel that will be enjoyed by people of all ages for centuries to come.
I highly recommend that everyone give this novel a chance. It has a fantastic mixture of humor, drama, history, and warm your heart moments--in other words, there is something for everyone.
Rating: 10-Stop what you're doing...No, I'm not kidding. Drop everything and read this book!
Summary: Jeffrey Lionel Magee is an orphan sent to live with his aunt and uncle. When he tires of their constant arguing, he runs away, never to look back. A year later, he ends up in Two Mills, PA. While there Jeffrey teaches the citizens, young and old, lessons on friendship, courage, and how wonderful it is to be different.
Review: I very seldom reread novels, especially those that fall in the middle grades category. Maniac Magee is a definite exception to the rule. I recently read this novel for the one millionth time (ok, slight exaggeration) with a group of students during a summer literacy camp and was reminded of why I love it so much!
One of the reasons Jerry Spinelli's masterpiece is amongst my favorite all-time reads is its cast of characters. Focused primarily on Maniac, this novel hosts an extraordinary group of main and secondary characters, most of whom are dynamic. Seeing John McNab and Mars Bar Thompson--the town's two bullies--grow and change throughout the novel as a result of the main conflict excited me and kept me enthralled. Very rarely do secondary characters leave lasting impressions, however those like Mrs. Beale, Hester and Lester (twin children), and an old man simply called an old ragpicker have a major impact on the unfolding of the novel's events. I could continue to gush about Spinelli's exceptional characterization skills, but this literary work is full of special moments.
Throughout much of the story, Maniac is running. However along the way, fascinating events take place. From Maniac performing athletic feats, like hitting a "frogball" to teaching someone to read, the many exciting events keep the plot moving at a fast pace. These events, along with the novel's themes of courage, prejudice, friendship, homelessness, death and family, make Maniac Magee a real gem.
With crisp, clear writing, this book never ceases to amaze me. With each read, I fall more in love with the characters and their individual stories and take note of the hilarious, yet remarkable events.
If there were ever a book I wish I had written myself, Maniac Magee is that book! Equally driven by its characters and plot, Jerry Spinelli has perfectly crafted a novel that will be enjoyed by people of all ages for centuries to come.
I highly recommend that everyone give this novel a chance. It has a fantastic mixture of humor, drama, history, and warm your heart moments--in other words, there is something for everyone.
Rating: 10-Stop what you're doing...No, I'm not kidding. Drop everything and read this book!
1 comment:
I loved Maniac Magee and it is a gush worthy book.
Post a Comment