“The metaphorical style is a brave change from the realism of Spinelli’s other books, while fans of his earlier, tongue-in-cheek, streetwise tone will find it also an integral part of this story–ballast for the mythic, shifting picture of Maniac’s year on the run.” – Kirkus Reviews He was special all right, and this is his story, and it’s a story that is very careful not to let the facts get mixed up with the truth. Ma-niac, Ma-niac kissed a bull!”īut the thing Maniac Magee is best known for is what he did for the kids from the East Side and those from the West Side. Ma-niac, Ma-niac, don’t go to school, runs all night, runs all right. Little girls jumping rope chant, “Ma-niac, Ma-niac, he’s so cool. Even today kids talk about how fast he could run how he hit an inside-the-park “frog” homer and how no knot, no matter how snarled, would stay that way once he began to untie it. He came into this world named Jeffrey Lionel Magee, but when his parents died and his life changed, so did his name. He wasn’t born with the name Maniac Magee.

If a serious adventure of survival and outdoor mystique is your favorite kind of story, and Hatchet tops your list, check out these other engrossing tales.Curriculum subjects: Teen Life: Family, Teen Life: Prejudice, Personal Development: Loss, Personal Development: Self-Discovery If you loved the adventure and loving bond you found in Pax, and can’t get enough animals in your stories, give this other heartwarming titles a try!Ĭrenshaw * Duke * The Nest * The Cricket in Times Square * Zoobreak * A Mouse Called Wolf * Bunnicula Lost Boy: The true story of Captain Hook * Kingdom Keepers * Charlie Bone * The Edge * Inskspell * The Genius Files * The Mysterious Benedict Society * Peter Pan in Scarlet * Treasure Island * Nim’s Island If you loved the magic and fantasy of Peter and the Starcatchers, check out this awesome other titles! If you loved the sweet story of The One and Only Ivan that teaches beautiful life lessons about unexpected friendships, you might love these books too.įlora and Ulysses * Breaking Stalin’s Nose * Starry River of the Sky * Flying the Dragon* The Tale of Desperaux * The Mouse and the Motorcycle* Glory Be * The Cricket in Times Square * Half Brother

Here are a few more great suggestions and titles for your readers! All books are linked and be sure each book you choose is right for their age, maturity and reading level!

Books like maniac magee