Maniac Magee

1
Maniac Magee

• Reading Guide
• Chapters 9-17

2
Chapter 9

• How does the author, Jerry Spinelli, create
  suspense in this chapter? What writing
  techniques) does he use?
• What is the main idea of Chapter 9?
• Who are the Cobras?
• Why do they stop chasing Maniac Magee?

3
Chapter 10

• State the setting for Chapter 10.
• Characterize Mars Bar.
• Why do you think Mars Bar backed down and did
  what the elderly lady told him to do? What might
  this action foreshadow about this character in
  the future chapters?
• There was something he felt like doing, and
  maybe he would have, but the lady turned and went
  back inside her house and shut the door. What
  might Maniac be thinking/wanting to do here?

4
Chapter 11

• What is the humor in this chapter?
• How does Chapter 11 end?
• Describe Maniacs mood changes in this chapter
  and document each with text evidence.

Mood Text Evidence Page



5
Chapter 12

• Characterize Amanda Beales family.
• What does this sentence tell us about the
  character, Amanda Mo-om, screeched Amanda. I
  never said all that!
• What type of houseguest is Maniac? Give details.
• Cite the text evidence to prove Maniac Magee no
  longer wished to be homeless.

6
Chapter 13

• What is the opening setting for Chapter 13?
• What new character trait do we discover about
  Maniac Magee?
• Describe the overall effect Maniac Magee has on
  the Beale household and then the specific effects
  he has on characters Hester and Lester and
  Amanda.
• How does Chapter 13 conclude? Does this
  information about Maniac Magee tell us more about
  his background? Explain.

7
Chapter 14

• Describe Jeffrey Magees mood at the beginning of
  Chapter 14. Support your answer.
• Which character from a previous chapter
  reappears, AND what is the relationship formed
  between him and Magee?
• What was Jeffreys reason for not referring to
  himself as Maniac?
• Elaborate on Mrs. Beales comment to Jeffrey
  Youll be nothing but Jeffrey in here But out
  there, I dont know.

8
Chapter 15

• Continue to characterize Maniac Magee.
• What is Mrs. Beales response to Jeffreys trash
  talking?
• What does Jeffreys immediate response to Mrs.
  Beale further infer about his character?
• Why would Jeffrey so desperately want to read
  Amandas A Encyclopedia?
• Foreshadowing Maniac loved almost everything
  about his new life. But everything did not love
  him back. As the last sentence in Chapter 15,
  what might this mean?

9
Chapter 16

• How is Jeffrey Magee blind?
• What is the writing device used at the end of
  Chapter 16 in the sentences But there it was,
  piling up around him dislike. Not from
  everybody. But enough. And Maniac couldnt see
  it. And then all of the sudden he could.

10
Chapter 17

• Name at least two writing devices author Jerry
  Spinelli uses at the beginning of the chapter to
  bring the setting to life.
• Summarize chapter 17 in less than five sentences
• Prejudice dislike or distrust of people just
  because they are of another race, religion, or
  country an unfair or unreasonable opinion.
• Give a personal comment about prejudice.