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Maniac Magee (by Jerry Spinelli)

common sense media says

Exciting, moving story has something for everyone.

parents & educators say
  • 31% say there are positive messages
  • 31% say it's educational
See all 53 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this exciting and moving story, brilliantly told, has something for everyone.

Positive messages: The town is racially divided, and the McNabs prepare for a race war. The McNab children steal, swear, cut school, smoke, drink, live like pigs, and espouse a virulent racism.
Positive role models: The McNab children steal, swear, cut school, smoke, drink, live like pigs, and espouse a virulent racism.
Violence: Several racial standoffs are chilling. Jeffrey loses nearly everyone who matters to him and at one point loses interest in living.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Mild bathroom oriented words used.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The McNab children smoke and drink.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Maniac Magee

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about legends.
  • How much truth is there in the stories told about Maniac Magee?
  • Which do you find more interesting -- what really happened, or the embellished tales?

What's the story?

What's the story?
A homeless orphan becomes a legend in a town divided by racism in this sometimes funny, sometimes moving, always exciting story. Jeffrey Magee's exploits may have made him famous, but reconciling a town filled with hate and finding a decent life for himself may be more than even he can manage.

 

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

One of the greatest Newbery winners ever, Jerry Spinelli's MANIAC MAGEE is a riveting story, swinging between joy and sorrow, that works on many levels: as a realistic novel, the recounting of a legend, and a no-easy-answers statement on race relations. The ending shows the possibility of some personal happiness for Jeffrey, but offers no pat answers to the town's racial problems. There are heroes and monsters on both sides, and Jeffrey is able to find, even in the most hate-filled among them, redeeming qualities and humanity.

But while Jeffrey makes a difference in the lives of many, the reader is forced to realize that the idea that he can somehow bring about a reconciliation between the races is naive. The secondary characters are well drawn and appealing, the story is exciting, and the ideas are thought-provoking. And the book offers little moments that, though understated, are sometimes uplifting, sometimes heartrending, but always involving. This book should not be missed.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Jerry Spinelli
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication date: January 1, 1990
Number of pages: 184
Paperback price: $6.50
This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

11
Based on 13 parent & educator reviews:
  • 31% say there are positive messages
  • 31% say it's educational
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Musicgirl209
kid, 12 years old
10
 
Really good!
I loved this book! It has a great message: People with dark skin and people with white skin should be able to live together. It's about a boy who runs away into a racially divided town. My only concern is that the McNab childern smoke and swear. They also say some racist things, but kids who are old enough to understand the book will realize that that family has a lot of bad role models. Maniac is a very good role modle, because he's brave and believes that despite skin color, everyone can live together. Also, Greyson didn't give up while learning to read.
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hnbbubblegum
kid, 12 years old
5
 
Pretty Good
I read this book in class, but I would not have chosen it for myself. If you are into fantasy or Mystery you might not enjoy it as much.
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litmom123
parent of 10 and 12 year old
9
 
Perfect book
Could possibly be the closest thing to the perfect child's novel, ever. Jeffrey if forced to run away from the worst kind of unfeeling people this world produces and goes on the search to find a family who will love him for who he is. Jeffrey Magee is naive, loving, kind and completely without the traditional social barriers that we force on our children. His baths with the Beale children are wonderfully innocent and without need of judgement. What he suffers for the sake of the McNab children is what I want my children to see as being a good and decent human being. From his relationship with Mars Bar and the Beales, to his time spent with Greyson, right down to his dedication to the McNab children, I can't think of a better role model than Jeffrey Magee.
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aolani mckendry
kid, 12 years old
5
 
maniac magee
i think this book is good for any age. because it is really intresating.p.s i am really 11 years old
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sarahH.
teen, 14 years old
10
 
violent life lessons
it is a great book about life lessons but a bit too violent. Its a good book to read, but it seemed boring at the beginning but got interesting on the way.
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CptDrake
kid, 12 years old
10
 
Awesome book **SPOILER**
An amazing book. Maniac is a kid living in a racist time and is the only one who doesn't understand. He regularly visits and for a good section of the book, lives in the "black" part of town. There is underage drinking, reckless behavior, racial slurs from both African Americans and Caucasians. Although the book is heartwarming, the book can be very sad, when Grayson dies, Maniac becomes depressed and eventually tries to starve himself. References to poop, roaches and other gross out stuff is abound, especially with the McNabs.
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Stella163
kid, 12 years old
9
 
it's fine,i kinda like it
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helped me decide (14) | had useful details (14) | read my mind (14)
bookwormwriter
teen, 15 years old
10
 
My Favorite of the Author's
I read this book in 8th grade, and I really loved it. It was a little easy for my reading level, but it was still really fun. I think that it is Spinelli's best book. I've read almost all of his books, and none compare. This is a really good book. The racism issue could be a little confusing for younger kids, but it's really simple. Happy reading! :)
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teddyfluffy4
kid, 12 years old
8
 
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Marjie33
teen, 15 years old
10
 
Best Book for Kids
I loved this book because i read it in class.All of the student loved the book.It was a very heart warming story when Maniac finally knows where he belongs.I personally think that this book is very age appropriate. :)
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KaylaKennedy
teen, 15 years old
5
 
Maniac Child (not a good child)
I think it's an ok book. Not to bad at all! And not to good for kids to hear about running away because my child has read it and asked me what that meant but I explained it to him and he understood. He also loves and enjoys the book and that's the first book he ever read and that's also how he learned to read. Thank you.
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bestcatcher
parent of 12 year old
9
 
Maniac Magee is a good book.
Hi!!!!!
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Spex99
kid, 12 years old
10
 
Grade 5 and up
I like this book. In 5th grade you read it (your teachers have to make the decision whether to let you know about african american discrimination for when you read this book in class). It is very sad at one point, i knew a few people who almost cried at that part.
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tbl
parent of 9 and 12 year old
10
 
My son was assigned this book for school. I enjoyed it, but believe it to be a bit much for a 9 y.o. even one in the advanced class. Just "heavy" subject matter. Although he enjoyed it, he said. It wouldn't have been one that I would have chosen for him; maybe in a couple of years.
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Dohayecarumbadoh
kid, 13 years old
8
 
Off 4- Iffy 5-7 On 8+
I'm reading it in reading class, & I just finished Part II. I'll review again when I finish it. P.S. It's awesome!
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kansasfarmmom
parent of 5 and 8 year old
10
 
Great book but heavy issues
My son and I read this book together and I was glad we did because he was confused by the East/black and West/White issues. He has been raise without rasism and to treat everyone equally so realizing that the world wasn't always like that and not everyone feels that way was emotionally diffcult for me to explain to him. In a perfect world maybe my son would never need to know how ignorant people are and use to be. It was hard for me to watch this door open in his mind. It was a very good book and Maniac Magee is a true hero.
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theawesomeamaya
parent
13
 
Maniac Magee REVIEW
Its not that much drinking,drugs,smoking,or bad language but i would not let a child under 10 to read it. And if they are 10 and under you would have to probably explain the concept of racism and dirty talk to them.
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katy4000
teen, 14 years old
13
 
it good but sad and bad
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Rainesila
teen, 16 years old
11
 
The Real Deal
I think it is good for kids because of the running away. It tells kids how bad it would be if you do so...DON'T DO IT!!!!
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kiol
teen, 18 years old
 
maniac Magee
PARENTS BEWARE! THIS BOOK CONTAINS LESSONS THAT YOUR CHILD WILL LEARN WHILE READING THIS BOOK. YOUR CHILD MAY ALSO EXPERINECE FATIGUE FROM READING TOO MUCH! SIDE EFFECTS INCLUDE : STIFF HANDS, WATERY EYES AND LOTS OF FUN!
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