He later learns to become a better writer, and he gains a new found respect for his father. Although his father is not always the most reliable source of guidance, Maniac is able to trust his friends and make them laugh. The boyhood friends call him 'maniac,' which is a term they use to describe the wild outsider. His relationship with his father is not always easy, as he constantly feels left out. His father, John McNab, is an ignorant white man who does not know anything about black people, and is very hostile toward Maniac. Maniac is a gifted student, but his relationship with his father is not as easy as it seems. This novella tells the story of Maniac Magee and his relationship with his father. When Jeffrey arrived at their home, they didn't talk to him and didn't share their secrets with him. His aunt and uncle were both strict Catholics, but they hated each other.

Jeffrey's real name was Jeffrey Lionel Magee, and his closest relatives were his aunt and uncle. His orphanage ends up in the town of Two Mills, Pennsylvania. He soon finds himself in a loveless family home and decides to run away. When he is three years old, his parents are killed in a trolley accident and he is left with his aunt and uncle. Jeffery Lionel Magee is an orphan who grows up in a family of strict Catholics. In this way, Maniac and the other characters in the book make an effort to make the world a better place through education. He understands how ignorance can feed fabrications that are harmful to the community. Maniac has experienced racism firsthand, and he understands its effect. The plot of the novel follows a series of events in a small, fictional town. Racism is a theme that comes up repeatedly in the book, and it's one that is worth highlighting. It's an important topic, one that many young people can relate to, and the author tackles it in an interesting way. The theme of Racism is an important one in Maniac Magee, a novel by Jerry Spinelli.

His relationship with an African American girl When he was eleven, he ran away from the town, running into a local folklore. His aunt and uncle raised him, but he longed for the warmth of a real home. Their relationship turns into a touching story about prejudice and coming together.Īt the age of three, Jeffrey lost his parents in a trolley crash. There he meets the Beales, a black family who take him in. He is an orphan who runs away from his foster parents and ends up in the small town of Two Mills. Jeffrey Lionel Magee is the main character of this children's book. It's an unforgettable read that's sure to make you want to read more. The novel explores themes of inequality and racism, as it follows the story of an orphan boy seeking a home in a segregated community. If you enjoy novels about race, you'll want to read Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli.