Saturday, January 06, 2007
Book Review - Maniac Magee - YA Fiction
Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli - Fun to read, too bad teachers try to teach it!
Three year old Jeffery Lionel Magee’s parents died in a trolley accident. Never was there a choice. The child was sent to his nearest relatives who proved to be dysfunctional; i.e.: didn’t speak to one another, Catholicism prevented divorce so they provided two of everything in order to not share anything save the structure under which they were housed.
CHOICE at eleven years of age? Run away, live off the streets and his wits.
But his aloneness made him friendly…said, “hello” when he passed any stranger, 250 miles from Bridgeport, the town of his aunt and uncle, where Maniac was from, not “where I am.” (p.12)
BOOKS his passion, as ‘tis true for many. Books provided by Amanda Beale…female. SPORTS although he wasn’t practiced in football, he out shone Hands Down as he intervened at practice.
John McNab was a giant baseball playing twelve year old who could strike-out everyone with his fast ball, everyone except Maniac who refused to play by the rules…because he was not aware that everyone should fear McNab.
PICKWELL family dinners, Mrs. Pickwell is the provider/nurturer.
FINSTERWALZD’s yards, front and back were avoided as a rule, but again Maniac didn’t know the rules.
RESIDENCE: deer shed at the Elmwood Park Zoo until the Beale’s (Amanda’s parents) take him in.
EAST WEST Line never to be crossed especially at night…another rule Maniac did not know.
OTHER UNKNOWN RULES Couldn’t see Mars Bar’s hatred for him, that big kids don’t like little kids showing them up, kids don’t like kids who are different
MARS BAR & Maniac’s fight broken by a woman sweeping her sidewalk…she uses the broom. “you better get on, boy, where you belong. I can’t be following you around. I got things to do.” (p.37) AND Amanda rescues Maniac when he’s ambushed by Mars Bar soon after the woman’s intervention. (p.40)
THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE.?
Adopts the family…reads to Hester & Lester, does the dishes, takes out the trash, walks the dog, puts the cap back on the toothpaste, cleans up after himself, etc. He nurtures back.
Three year old Jeffery Lionel Magee’s parents died in a trolley accident. Never was there a choice. The child was sent to his nearest relatives who proved to be dysfunctional; i.e.: didn’t speak to one another, Catholicism prevented divorce so they provided two of everything in order to not share anything save the structure under which they were housed.
CHOICE at eleven years of age? Run away, live off the streets and his wits.
But his aloneness made him friendly…said, “hello” when he passed any stranger, 250 miles from Bridgeport, the town of his aunt and uncle, where Maniac was from, not “where I am.” (p.12)
BOOKS his passion, as ‘tis true for many. Books provided by Amanda Beale…female. SPORTS although he wasn’t practiced in football, he out shone Hands Down as he intervened at practice.
John McNab was a giant baseball playing twelve year old who could strike-out everyone with his fast ball, everyone except Maniac who refused to play by the rules…because he was not aware that everyone should fear McNab.
PICKWELL family dinners, Mrs. Pickwell is the provider/nurturer.
FINSTERWALZD’s yards, front and back were avoided as a rule, but again Maniac didn’t know the rules.
RESIDENCE: deer shed at the Elmwood Park Zoo until the Beale’s (Amanda’s parents) take him in.
EAST WEST Line never to be crossed especially at night…another rule Maniac did not know.
OTHER UNKNOWN RULES Couldn’t see Mars Bar’s hatred for him, that big kids don’t like little kids showing them up, kids don’t like kids who are different
MARS BAR & Maniac’s fight broken by a woman sweeping her sidewalk…she uses the broom. “you better get on, boy, where you belong. I can’t be following you around. I got things to do.” (p.37) AND Amanda rescues Maniac when he’s ambushed by Mars Bar soon after the woman’s intervention. (p.40)
THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE.?
Adopts the family…reads to Hester & Lester, does the dishes, takes out the trash, walks the dog, puts the cap back on the toothpaste, cleans up after himself, etc. He nurtures back.
# posted by Bite Me Kissimmee @ 2:53 PM 
