Maniac Magee

By: Jerry Spinelli

Narrated by: S. Epatha Merkerson

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)

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...

maniac magee

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

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.

I loved this book thx

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

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.

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!!

His Life

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

The narrator is amazing!

Loved the way the narrator read the book. Book had me and my wife crying the whole way through

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.