Maniac Magee

Jerry Spinelli
Scholastic Inc., 1990
Grade Level: 5
Lexile: 820L
Fountas & Pinnell: R
Suggested Delivery: Independent

                    Winner of the Boston Globe/ Horn Book Award and the Newbery Medal

                              Individuality, Prejudice, Tolerance, Experiences, Learning

Jeffrey Lionel "Maniac" Magee might have lived a normal life if a freak accident hadn't made him an orphan. After living with his unhappy and uptight aunt and uncle for eight years, he decides to run--and not just run away, but run. This is where the myth of Maniac Magee begins, as he changes the lives of a racially divided small town with his amazing and legendary feats.

Teaching Strategies:
Key Vocabulary:
emanations
gaping 
pandemonium
maniac
shinnied
preposterous
filigreed
marauding
pavilion
dovetailed
astonishment

Before Reading Strategies: Discuss with the students some of the legends told about Maniac Magee. Do they believe these to be true? Why or why not? Based on these legends, have teh students predict what might happen in this novel.

During Reading Strategies: The students should be filling out a notetaking and summarizing chart. This chart will include; the setting, characters, summary and predictions. the students should complete this for each chapter. 

After Reading Strategies: Using their note-taking and summarizing chart, have the students complete a timeline of what they believe to be the most crucial points in the novel. The students will need at least six events, and an explanation to why it is a turning point or an important part of the text. 

Writing Activity: No one had ever been able to untie the Cobble's Knot before Maniac Magee even though many had tried. Imagine you are a newspaper reporter covering this story the day that Maniac Magee attempts this feat, making sure to document what happens during the events of the day.

 Activity Packet!

Extension Activities!