Major Theme:

Prejudice and Friendship

Summary:

Maniac Magee was a legend.  Kids were always talking about how fast he could run; how high he could jump; how he could untie any knot.  But the thing Maniac Magee was best known for is what he did for the kids from the black East End and those from the white West End of Two Mills, Pennsylvania.  Maniac Magee is a modern tall tale.

Question #1

Question #2

Question #3

Locate the specific places mentioned in Chapter 33.  How far do you estimate Maniac travelled?
 

What is the surprise twist at the end of Chapter 34?

Describe the McNab household.  Does it surprise you or not?
 

Question #4

What was the "most perilous challenge of all"?  Why was it so perilous?  Do you agree?

Question #5

Why did Maniac race against the Mars man?  What was unusual about the Mars-Maniac race?

Question #6

Question #7

Question #8

Question #9

What smelled so bad to Maniac at the end of Chapter 39?
 

Was Mars Bar Thompson's discomfort at Fort McNab appropriate?  Why or why not?  Have you ever been in a similar uncomfortable situation?  How did you act?

 

How did Maniac survive after the birthday disaster

Why wouldn't Maniac accept Mars' invitation to stay with his family?

Question #10

Why is the book organized into three parts?  What is the moral of the story?  What was the author's purpose?

Question #11

Question #12

Question #13

Question #14

Question #15

Question #16

Question #17

Question #18

Extension #1

Extension #2

Extension #3

Create a coat of arms for Maniac to summarize his character.
 

Draw a picture of all the places Maniac Magee lived.  Write a paragraph describing each.
 

Extension #4

Extension #5