63 pages • 2 hours read
Jerry SpinelliManiac Magee
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1990A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli follows 11-year-old Jeffrey Lionel Magee, nicknamed Maniac, who runs away from his guardians after his parents' death and ends up in the racially divided town of Two Mills, Pennsylvania. There, he becomes a local legend as he faces various challenges and fosters friendships across racial lines, ultimately inspiring unity and acceptance. The book features depictions of racism and violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Jerry Spinelli's Maniac Magee is lauded for its compelling storytelling and strong thematic exploration of race and homelessness. Reviewers praise its relatable characters and impactful narrative. However, some critique it for occasional predictability and a somewhat abrupt conclusion. Overall, it is widely appreciated for its emotional depth and powerful messages.
Who Should Read Maniac Magee?
A reader who would enjoy Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli is typically between the ages of 9 and 12, appreciates stories with rich, character-driven narratives, and themes of racial harmony and homelessness. Fans of Holes by Louis Sachar and Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson will find this novel compelling.
RecommendedReading Age
8-12yearsLexile Level
820L