Jerry Spinelli - Literature Guides Maniac Magee: Literature Guide

Pros: Expands child's imagination & mind.

Cons: None

Review: My 10 year old loved it!! She said he is a great writer of children's books. What a treat to be able to capture the wondering minds of pre-teens the way Jerry does! He is able to capture your child's attention. In this age bracket, that's hard to...

Pros: Well written, will appeal to reluctant readers

Cons: Maybe one last chapter to bring closure

Review: From the first sentence, Jerry Spinelli has the reader hooked.
"Maniac, Maniac,
He's so cool
Maniac, Maniac
Don't go to school."

The reader can't help but want to go on with the story of this kid who has become a legend in...

Pros: a lesson of the heart, that people are different

Cons: a little sad, black vs white

Review: When my daughter read this book she could not put it down, and when she was done reading it she wanted to read more chapters. This story is a lesson in compassion.

It starts out with a boy who is an orphan who runs around making friends...