Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Maniac Magee  By  cover art

Maniac Magee

By: Jerry Spinelli
Narrated by: S. Epatha Merkerson
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $11.25

Buy for $11.25

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

He wasn't born with the name Maniac Magee. He came into this world named Jeffrey Lionel Magee, but when his parents died and his life changed, so did his name. And Maniac Magee became a legend. Even today kids talk about how fast he could run; about how he hit an inside-the-park "frog" homer; about how no knot, no matter how snarled, would stay that way once he began to untie it. But the thing Maniac Magee is best known for is what he did for the kids from the East Side and those from the West Side.
©1960,1961 Sheila Burnford (P)1997 Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Division of Bantam Doubleday Dell Pulbishing Group, Inc.

Critic reviews

  • Newbery Medal Winner, 1991

"Half tall tale, half novel, Jerry Spinelli's Newbery Award winner is beautifully narrated by film and television actress S. Epatha Merkerson." (School Library Journal)
"A humorous yet poignant tall tale." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Maniac Magee

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    788
  • 4 Stars
    183
  • 3 Stars
    56
  • 2 Stars
    22
  • 1 Stars
    32
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    654
  • 4 Stars
    113
  • 3 Stars
    36
  • 2 Stars
    10
  • 1 Stars
    18
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    634
  • 4 Stars
    132
  • 3 Stars
    46
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    19

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

very good book, and just as good audiobook

the book is one of my favorites, and this audiobook is just as good... whether I'm listening to the audiobook, or reading the book, I feel like I'm being sucked into the story, as if I'm living it...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

maniac magee

it si so far good. i like that kid because he can run fast. he also can hit fast balls.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heartfelt and real, hilarious story for all ages.

Great narration, pitch perfect! I will continue to share this story with all the kids in my life! Classic.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I loved this book thx

I loved this story it was the best too me it kind of gave me confidence

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

You will laugh and cry!!

Would you listen to Maniac Magee again? Why?

I would definately listen to Maniac Magee again!! This story has many lessons to teach. All ages will fall in love with Maniac and Amanda Beal. I will listen to this story again and again.

What did you like best about this story?

What I enjoyed best about the story is how the author uses the characters to bring love and compassion to life.

Which character – as performed by S. Epatha Merkerson – was your favorite?

Amanda Beal

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

How one little boy changed his neighborhood for the better.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Terrific for FAMILY road trips!!!

If you could sum up Maniac Magee in three words, what would they be?

Funny, moving, classic tale.

Which scene was your favorite?

All of Maniac's interactions with the old man.

Any additional comments?

Beautifully performed by Ms. Merkerson! My kids ask for it when we take a trip and they're entering their teens! Better than a DVD any day!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

His Life

It was sad and very racist and I wish there were pictures of the characters when introduced

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

best book

This is the best book of ever heard in my life I rate it 10/10

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Maniac Magee

The Maniac Magee books is excelent for children who doesnt any experience of reading and comprehension in english But the book not include a guide of chapter. Audible have include the chapter guide in this book, its the only problem of the book, but my son really enjoyed the book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

My favorite childhood book

This was my favorite book as a kid. I love the story and the characters

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!