# Maniac Magee

**Author:** Jerry Spinelli
**Lexile:** 820L
**Grade range:** Grades 4–7
**Age range:** 9–13
**First published:** 1990
**Page count:** 184
**Genre:** Middle Grade Fiction
**ISBN-13:** `9780316809061`
**ISBN-10:** `0316809063`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/maniac-magee
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

Jeffrey "Maniac" Magee, a legendary orphan runner, crosses the racial divide of a fictional Pennsylvania town. Spinelli's Newbery Medal novel is widely assigned in 5th-7th grade for its approachable take on race relations and homelessness.

## Themes

- race
- homelessness
- family
- legend and reality
- prejudice

## Content notes

- racial tension
- homelessness
- death of parents

Common Sense Media age recommendation: 10+

## Where this book is assigned

### Common Core State Standards (ELA)

- **recommended** · 5th grade — [source: CCSS ELA Appendix B, grades 4-5 Newbery Medal](https://achievethecore.org/page/2699)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Pennsylvania — [source: PA Core Standards — Pennsylvania-set novel](https://www.education.pa.gov/)

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