Maniac Magee Group

Question:

larue40
larue40
Student

How does Jerry Spinelli make the reader understand Jeffrey's search and needs?

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Posted by larue40 on Sunday August 16, 2009 at 4:36 PM and tagged with jeffrey, maniac, maniac magee, spinelli, themes.

Answers:

  1. slchanmo1885
    slchanmo1885 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Jeffrey (known to us as Maniac) yearns for a family to love him. From the very beginning of the story, when Maniac flees from his aunt and uncle because they don't even talk to each other, Maniac is on a quest to find somewhere he belongs. His journey takes him to a variety of people with different racial backgrounds, economic status, and living situations. In each place he goes, he finds a different sort of family. Spinelli is masterful at helping the reader to connect to Maniac. Everyone needs love, and Maniac is just looking for acceptance. He encounters a lot of discrimination on his travels around the town of Two Mills. However, each person he meets teaches him something, and in turn he teaches everyone acceptance of others. Eventually, Maniac is able to help his friends to cross prejudicial boundaries.

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    Posted by slchanmo1885 on Wednesday September 2, 2009 at 12:28 PM