Buzz
When Jerry Spinelli, a children’s author, first submitted the manuscript for his sixth novel about a kind-hearted, athletic orphan named 'Maniac' Magee, he didn’t believe he had created something extraordinary. It wasn’t until the publisher’s marketing director read the book during a flight to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair that Little, Brown Books for Young Readers realized they had a potential hit. Published in 1990, 'Maniac Magee' quickly garnered widespread praise and went on to win the 1991 Newbery Medal, an esteemed award given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children each year.
Years later, 'Maniac Magee' remains a cherished modern classic, widely included in school reading programs. By 2015, the book had sold over 3.3 million copies, even before Little, Brown released a special 25th-anniversary edition, which included an introduction by Katherine Applegate, author of 'The One and Only Ivan'. Three decades after its meteoric rise to the bestseller list and winning one of the highest honors in children’s literature, here are seven things you may not know about 'Maniac Magee'.
1. 'Maniac Magee' was partly inspired by a Motown song.
Spinelli drew from a variety of sources to create 'Maniac Magee,' including a photograph, a newspaper column, and his own childhood memories. In a 1991 article for 'The Reading Teacher,' he described the book’s inspiration as a “patchwork quilt” that would “cover about a half-acre.” In 2015, Spinelli revealed to 'Publishers Weekly' that one of the key influences was the 1964 Martha and the Vandellas song 'Dancing in the Streets.' He explained that he initially loved the song for its catchy pop melody but later saw it as a “vision of how things could be.”
2. Jerry Spinelli discarded two early drafts of 'Maniac Magee' before finding the version that resonated.
Spinelli, who prefers to write his first drafts by hand, faced challenges in capturing the voice of 'Maniac Magee.' He threw away his first attempt after 80 pages, realizing it lacked a solid story and that he might have made his protagonist too perfect. Undeterred, he tried again but abandoned that version after 100 pages, still unable to find a perspective that worked for Jeffrey Lionel Magee, better known as “Maniac.” Spinelli took a break before discovering nine words that changed everything: “They say Maniac Magee was born in a dump.” This sentence, which would become the famous opening line, led him in a new direction and helped define the book’s unique voice as that of a local legend woven into collective memory.
3. The title character of 'Maniac Magee' is mentioned in a previous Jerry Spinelli novel.
In Spinelli’s fifth novel, 'Dump Days' (1988), there’s a brief, one-sentence reference to Maniac Magee, describing him as 'an orphan sort of kid, who sleeps at the bandshell.'
4. Jerry Spinelli shared that the South African government purchased several hundred copies of 'Maniac Magee' to support anti-Apartheid efforts.
'Maniac Magee,' which features a white protagonist who crosses sharp racial lines in a Pennsylvania town and ultimately finds a home with a Black family, hit bookstores in 1990—the same year the South African government began meeting with the African National Congress to negotiate the end of apartheid. Spinelli recalled in an interview with 'Publishers Weekly' that one of his proudest moments came when, in the early '90s, the South African government bought and distributed 600 copies of the book to aid in the nation’s transition. This use of literature to support the dismantling of apartheid was especially poignant given that, during the same period, the government had been known for burning books that were seen as offensive or threatening throughout the country.
5. 'Maniac Magee' is listed on the American Library Association's catalog of Frequently Challenged Books With Diverse Content.
While 'Maniac Magee' is regularly included in the reading lists for elementary, middle, and even high school students, it has faced frequent challenges. Although it is well-received by many readers, including kids and parents, it has been repeatedly targeted for removal from school curricula. This has earned it a spot on the ALA’s list of frequently challenged books. Objections include the book’s mild profanity and its depiction of a hero who frequently runs away from home, as well as critiques regarding its portrayals of racism and allegations of anti-Catholic bias. Spinelli’s book finds itself in the company of other controversial works like those by Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Anne Frank.
6. A movie adaptation of 'Maniac Magee' exists—and Jerry Spinelli is not particularly fond of it.
In 1993, Elijah Wood, then just 12 years old, expressed interest in portraying Maniac Magee in a film adaptation. Wood’s team reportedly secured the film rights on his behalf, but the project never materialized. A decade later, a 'Maniac Magee' movie was made for television by Nickelodeon and directed by Bob Clark, best known for 'A Christmas Story.' The cast featured Michael Angarano, Orlando Brown, and Jada Pinkett Smith. While Spinelli praised the performances, he wasn’t impressed with Clark’s interpretation of his work. In a 2018 interview with the 'Times Herald' of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Spinelli candidly stated, “The movie stunk. It was so bad, that’s why you can’t buy it.”
7. A charity run inspired by 'Maniac Magee' in Jerry Spinelli's hometown has raised over $100,000 for those in need.
For 22 years straight, the Norristown Salvation Army organized an annual Maniac Magee Run for the Homeless to benefit its shelter, local food banks, and various community action groups. Spinelli, known for his generosity toward fans, occasionally attended the event to take photos and hand out medals at the finish line. In recent years, the event transitioned to a virtual format, asking participants to run, walk, or bike a two-mile course over a ten-day period in late May. As of now, there’s no confirmation of a 2021 event, either virtual or in-person.
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