Monday, February 21, 2022

Maniac Magee.

Spinelli, Jerry. Maniac Magee. 1990. 184p. ISBN 9780316807227. 

Maniac Magee


Orphaned at a young age when his parents were killed in a trolley accident, Jeffrey Magee first went into foster care with his aunt and uncle who were fighting with one another. Soon, Jeffrey realized he would be better off living on the streets than with those crazy folks, and that's exactly what he did. He not only ran away, but he ran for the sake of running. He crossed the bridge to the town on the other side of the river, and he never looked back.

Jeffrey's legend grew as other kids and even adults noticed him running through town. He made friends with an African-American girl who loves to read. He made enemies of the boys who were star athletes by demonstrating that he was faster and better than they were. His reputation grew, and his lack of fear gave rise to the name Maniac Magee. Living with Amanda's family for a while gave Jeffrey a sense of comfort, but it did not give him what he wanted more, an address.

Over the next years, Maniac Magee moves from one place to another within his new home town, never staying long but changing lives along the way. And, much to his surprise, Maniac Magee's most impactful change may be on himself!

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