Name: ______Date: ______
Maniac Magee has many of the elements of a tall tale:
- A superhuman main character who has a unique
mission to accomplish
- A problem that is often resolved humorously
- Frequent use of hyperbole and exaggeration
- Characters who appear normal in most respects
Choose a tall tale character to research the next time
we go to the library:
- Paul Bunyon
- Johnny Appleseed
- Pecos Bill
- John Henry
- John Chapman
Using the venn diagram on the next page, compare and
contrast the tall tale characteristics of Manic Magee with your
research character.
I Am Poem
Write an I Am poem from the perspective of one of the characters. You may use this page, or do it on another piece of paper.
I am ______
I wonder______
I hear ______
I see ______
I want ______
I am ______
I pretend ______
I feel ______
I touch ______
I worry ______
I cry ______
I am ______
I understand ______
I say ______
I dream ______
I try ______
I hope ______
I am ______
Character Traits Chart
There are many notable characters in this story who possess memorable traits. As you read, please fill in as much information as you can about each of the characters. Use the vocabulary word bank below to help you.
Maniac Magee / Amanda Beale / John McNabEarl Grayson / Mars Bar Thompson / Russell and Piper McNab
Final Community Project:
What can we do?
Together, we will organize a fundraising campaign for the homeless in our community. We will use the money we raise to support the efforts of a local homeless shelter or a related service organization.
We will:
_____work in small groups to brainstorm ways to raise money.
_____focus on a single event or plan a series of them over a period of time.
_____ form teams to do the necessary research and to make posters and flyers.
_____host a fundraising event and take turns managing a general information table, sharing what we know about the area's homeless population.
Activity / PointsExceptional Clear, Well Lacks Not
thinking, Defined, Creativity/ Complete
Thorough & Complete Thought
Creative
Participation
- Contributes actively in literature discussion daily
- Completes responsibilities as part of the daily literature circle
- Participates in vocabulary activities
I Am Unique activity
- Decorates shoe with unique qualities/characteristics
- Shares project
Discrimination Journal
- Thoughts on how discrimination still exists in today’s world
What is “Home?”
- Completes collage using newspapers, magazines, or drawings to depict own view of “Home”
Running for Mayor!
- Design an election poster
- Design a campaign slogan
- Write an endorsement speech
- Present speech to class
Tall Tale
- Research Character from Tall Tale
- Complete Venn Diagram
I Am poem
- Writes an I AM poem from the perspective of one of the characters
Interview
- Write thought provoking interview questions
- Conduct interview with an elderly person of your choice
Character Traits Chart
- Complete chart with characteristics/information about the main characters in the story
Stretch to Sketch
- Visualize and draw what you think Giant John and the twins house looks like.
Discrimination Chart
- Complete the 4 quadrants of the discrimination chart by comparing Maniac’s world to your own.
Tableau Performance
- Choose a scene
- Write a description of the scene and an explanation of why you chose it
- Perform the scene with your classmates
Meet the Author!
- Read about Jerry Spinelli
- Complete journal entry
Final Community Project
- Brainstorm fundraising
- Plan an event
- Research necessary details
- Create publicity posters/flyers
- Collaborate and work together at final event
Total Possible Points: 111
Other Books that have similar themes to Maniac Magee:
Spinelli, J. (2003). Loser.
New York: Harper Collins.
The journey of a typical student from 1st through 6th grade who is noticeably different from his peers. Instead of being accepted for those differences, he is mocked, and considered a ‘loser.’ Through his actions, people realize that he is not in fact a ‘loser,’ but someone with a heart of gold, who has an impact on other’s lives in big and small ways.
Bridges, R. (1999). Through My Eyes.
New York: Scholastic.
The true story of a little girl’s historic experience as the first African American student to integrate an elementary school in New Orleans in 1960. It gives the reader a 1st grader’s true impression of what it was like to move from being the target of frenzied anger outside the school to being the cherished single student of a dedicated teacher once inside.
Kasza, K. (2003). A Mother for Choco.
New York: Putnam Juvenile.
The endearing story of a little yellow bird who has lost his mother. After trying a bunch of different mothers, he realizes he doesn’t need one that looks just like him in order to get the things he needs to feel loved.
Seuss, D. (1961) The Sneetches and other stories.
New York: Random House.
The Sneetches is a wonderful story about the starbelly Sneetches and the plain belly Sneetches who both thought they were better than the other group. Then one day the sneetches got tricked into losing their stars or gaining ones and they didn’t know who was who. In a creative way, Dr. Seuss manages to teach children not to judge others by the way they look!
Rowling, J.K. (1997). Harry Potter and the sorcerer’s stone.
London: Bloomsbury.
Like Maniac Magee, Harry Potter is an orphan who has special talents. Harry gets the opportunity to leave his Aunt and Uncle’s home, where he is terribly unhappy, and attend Hogwarts School of Wizardry. Like Maniac, he makes new friends and impresses others with his modest powers.
Bunting, E. (1991). Fly Away Home.
New York: Clarion Books.
This is the story of a homeless boy and his father who live in an airport. The story is told from the point of view of the boy. This book has a sense of hope and exudes the feeling that we can adapt to anything. This reminded me of Maniac as he was searching for a home, yet adapted to where he lived to survive.
Hahn, M. D. (1991). Stepping on the Cracks.
New York: Avon Books, Inc.
This book takes place during the WWII and both Margaret and her best friend Elizabeth have brothers that are away serving in the war. But they have a war themselves at home – against Gordy, a school bully. They soon realize that Gordy has reasons for being so mean…and they form an unlikely friendship with him, much like Maniac and Mars Bar.
Yep, L. (1991). The Star Fisher.
New York: Penguin Books.
This is a novel about racial prejudice towards Chinese Americans and the struggle to overcome the hardships created by such prejudice. The novel takes place in Clarksburg, West Virginia, in the year 1927 where Joan Lee has just moved with her family from Ohio. Joan's father wants to start a laundry business in Clarksburg, a town where no other Chinese-Americans live. From the very beginning, the family experiences isolation and intolerance in the town.
Rappaport, D. (2001). Martin’s Big Words.
New York: Hyperion Books.
An unforgettable portrait of a man whose dream changed America…and the world. The story of Martin Luther King’s Jr.’s life is told using his own words, and those of the author. The stunning collage illustrations help make this book magical.
Scott, J. (2009) Dawn of a New Discovery, inspiring world poems.
Frederick, Maryland: Publish America.
Dawn of a New Discovery is a book of world poetry that endeavors to provide beautiful poetic presentations in a way so as to promote understanding between diverse cultures in the United States, as well as to focus on youth and children in the inner city and the world.