Book Review of Maniac Magee
by Jerry Spinelli
Reviewed by Ryan Traynor, age 11, Emerald Hills, CA
Recommended for ages 8-12
Maniac Magee is about a boy named Jeffery Magee who is orphaned at age 3 when his parents die in a tragic trolley crash. Then he moves in with his Aunt Dot and Uncle Dan who loathe each other so much that he runs away. While running, he stumbles across a town segregated between east and west and black and white. During his journey, he fights racism and searches on both sides of the border for a place to belong and a real home.
I would recommend this book because it is both funny and sad, and I like the courageous characters. It taught me about fighting racism and developing friendships.