Maniac Magee

By: Jerry Spinelli

Narrated by: S. Epatha Merkerson

Length: 4 hrs and 20 mins

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)

My Favorite Book I Never Got to Read As a Kid

This was a recommendation shared in a group by men who loved it as a child and for whom it remains a favorite so I was intrigued and decided to share it with my middle schoolers, particularly my son. It took a couple of chapters for me to really dig in. I didn't get to read classics as a child because the literature selections offered to me were very narrow. It was maybe 1/3 of the way through and I knew it was going to be my all time favorite. My daughter finished it ahead of me and my son. She loved it. My son is a reluctant reader but he loved it. I actually caught him getting emotionally invested in the story as we listened. He deals with race issues in his peer friendships. His friends who have experienced bigotry confide in him about their experiences, so this was a timely listen. I decided before finishing the book I would start a new tradition of gifting books to all the kids in my life. We will choose at least one title that speaks to us and we all love, and we will gift it to every kid in our circle that year. I felt this was a very appropriate book to start with. ;-)
My husband and I loved the narration as we have always been fans of Sharon Epatha Merkerson.
This is my favorite children's read I never got to enjoy as a kid. I needed it back then.

Excelent Story

Great book. Excelent storytelling. Want to read it again. Listened to it with the whole family.

Fantastic Narration

The narration of this had me hooked after the very first sentence! Wonderful story. Loved it!

great middle school book on race

great middle school book on race issues. lovable characters great pacing.... little intense for elementary

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S. Epatha Merkerson - Awsome!!

What did you love best about Maniac Magee?

Great classic story for readers of all ages. S. Epatha Merkerson is a very talented voice, and perfect for this story.

Boy Book

Would you listen to Maniac Magee again? Why?

Yes. With my sons or husband.

Yes, I am a girl (grownup), but to watch the

allsome

ut was the most unblivleabule dook i heard in a long time the doik was so cool

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Long time coming

I loved this book every second there was a twist to the story or an unexpected turn one of the Most interesting things ever!