Book Report “Maniac Magee” is a graphic novel written by the prestigious author, Jerry Spinelli, and it was first published in the year 1990. It follows the story of an orphan boy searching for a home in the fictional town of Two Mills Pennsylvania. The book also focuses on themes of racism and homelessness. It has also won many awards, including the John Newbery Medal. Jeffrey “Maniac” Magee was a normal and average boy until the age of 3, when his parents tragically died on a car crash and he was forced to live with his Aunt Doc and Uncle Dan, who hated each other and wanted to share everything. Then, on one fateful day, Jeffrey decided to escape his dreadful reality, and he began to run until he was able to find a home. One year and 200 miles later, Jeffrey arrived at the town, Two Mills, which is separated into the East and the West, with East being black people and the West being white people. He meets Amanda Beale, an East Ender who carries her suitcase full of books to keep them away from her little brother and sister, Hester and Lester, who crayon everything in sight, and borrows one before continuing his dash through town. Along the way, he intercepts a football pass made to local football star James "Hands" Down, infuriates gigantic little leaguer …show more content…
An example of this is when Spinelli states, “He did dishes without anyone asking” (45). Throughout the book, he also helps people who are having trouble, proving to the reader that even though he never had the proper education from his parents, he is still a kind and noble boy. On the other hand, the main antagonist of the book, Mars Bars, starts off as being one of the baddest and meanest kids to ever walk on Earth. The author proves this when he states. “As usual, when Mars Bar got confused, he got mad” Spinelli (35). This proves that he is impatient and that he is easily