so-soThis book shies away from engaging in any real discussion about race, but plays with themes of racism and segregation throughout. I love the fairytale quality of Maniac‘s story, and some of the characters are lovely, but I just couldn‘t invest fully.
This week, Jordan from Completely Booked is on my book podcast… and I‘m so proud and excited to drop this particular episode on my birthday! 🥳 On it, we take a deep dive into Jerry Spinelli‘s MANIAC MAGEE, particularly what it‘s saying about race and racism and how those messages have evolved in the three decades since the Newbery medal winner was published. 👟 listen at the link in my bio!
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli is a HF & a John Newberry award winning N. It is about a boy who became an orphan at a young age after his parents died in a crash. This book talks about his journey as he grows up with life without parents. This book would work great as a LC book. ESOL strategy 6, continually monitor students‘ comprehension. UDL Principle 3.2 Highlight patterns, critical features, big ideas, and relationships.
pick#MiddleGradeMarch
1. I, Juan de Pareja ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
2. Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3. Maniac Magee (#bbrc #newclassic) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4. The Egypt Game ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3 for #MarchUnshelfing ✔️
pickReview: Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli, 1990, is a realistic fiction chapter book about a young boy who grew up in a broken home and became a legend.
Blurb: This is a great example of realistic fiction because many students have problems with parents and guardians splitting up and fighting and can relate to the main character in that sense. As well as talking about racism and inequality.
Quote: “Talk! Talk, will ya! Talk! Talk! Talk!“
“Inside his house, a kid gets one name, but on the other side of the door, it‘s whatever the rest of the world wants to call him.”
This book would be good for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. I think it is important to tell stories that can be hard to hear because for some children that is their reality‘s.
pickManiac Magee by Jerry Spinelli, 1990. Right away the story gave me chills. The little boys parents died in a crash and he was an orphan. The book talks about how he had two of everything in the house. This can relate to children whose parents are divorced and they have 2 of everything. The book talks about him growing up in the world without parents and having to navigate that.
“He knee finally, truly, at long last, someone was calling him home.”
This book is perfect for young kids who go through the hardship of not having parents. It just shows that you can do anything you set your mind to, and that they are loved.
pickManiac Magee by Jerry Spinelli was written in 1990. This book is about a boy who became an orphan at a young age after his parents died in a crash. This book talks about his journey as he grows up with life without parents. He is a fast runner and the kids knew all about him. In the end, he finally had a place to call home. This is a great book for young kids to read and to relate to.
pickManiac Magee written by Jerry Spinelli is a Newbery award winner and one of my favorite novels I read in elementary school. This RF book is about Jeffery Lionel Magee or “Maniac Magee” who finds himself homeless when his parents die and he ends up living with his aunt and uncle who are on the brink of divorce. Magee runs away from his aunt and uncle‘s home and quickly leans about racial segregation, friendship, death, courage, and so much more.
pickThird summer reading book for my new 5th grade group. Wow! How is it that I have never read this book before. What an amazing story!!! I couldn‘t put the book down. I laughed. I cried. I got angry. Now? I‘m sad the my journey with these characters has come to an end. Does anyone else miss the characters when you finish a book??
Change of scenery & caffeine #24in48 #readathon #bookncoffee
#booknbreakfast
Starting the day off dining al fresco.
1. Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli, Sweet Valley High books, Babysitter Club books
2. Empire Strikes Back
3. It'll Come Back by Red Sovine. My dad loved that song.
4. Not sure who has already done it.
#TuesdayTidbits @JenlovesJT47
#TuesdayTidbits
1. Maniac Magee. 6th grade teacher read it to class, she cried, we cried, it stuck with me.
2. I'm not big into politics, but maybe JFK
3. Lying and being ignored
4. @MinDea
@JenlovesJT47
Since i read this book as a kid i never realized it we share a love for TastyKakes!
I read this book a looooong time ago, and remember being pleasantly surprised by its depth. It's about a boy who becomes a legend in his neighborhood--kind of a tall tale--but also touches on issues of poverty and race. And running. If there's one thing Manic Magee does, it's running. #runningandjumping #anditsaugust
#currentread #readinginbed #dominican Taking it back a bit tonight for some #leisurereading I remember loving this book as a child. Hopeful that I'll have the same reaction as an adult 📚📚
This is definitely one of my most #welllovedreads. I've loved it since the moment I owned it as an elementary school child and now the pages have completely abandoned the binding #riotgrams
Woah!
#feistyfeb #mostreread I read Maniac Magee for the first time in 4th grade and when I started teaching regular Ed I read it out loud to my students. Now that I work with gifted student I do a whole unit on it with my 4th graders so I've revisited the town of Two Mills plenty over the years. As an adult I can see that it smacks a bit of the "white kid solves racism" trope, but it is a funny, sad, powerful book about tearing down stereotypes.
So, here's a little glimpse into my personal mania. This is an elaborate Google sheet, featuring a tab for each of the SIX reading challenges I'm doing this year. I've made some great progress, but it seems I may need more strategy...I've already read three "C" books and three "M" books that could work for #LitsyAtoZ. ?
"During the night, March doubled back and grabbed April by the scruff of the neck and flung it another week or two down the road."
pickI thought for sure that I read this when I was younger. But that can not be true, as I am sure I would remember it. What I find interesting is that even 26 years later this book is not only still relevant, but very much still how many of our communities relate to each other.
Not fulfilling Ny book challenges as I finished it on the 30th.
Full review on goodreads
Here is a #headlesscover that is one of my husband's favorite books from childhood. He's a crazy fast sprinter, but I think he relates to Maniac on many different levels.
Also a pumpkin to bring some balance to the headless Litsy world.
#photoadaynov16
pickThe book is really good so far you guys should read it
Maniac Magee (Turtleback School & Library) | 
