Maniac Magee
By Jerry Spinelli
Maniac Magee won the Newbery award in 1991.
Jerry Spinelli's book, Maniac Magee, is a well written book about a town that is literally 'torn in two' by racism. The main charecter, Jeffery, was orphaned at a young age and was raised by his uncle and aunt. He was not happy with his life, so he ran away to the next town. The town is divided into two sides. The 'african-americans' on the East Side, and the 'whites' on the West Side. No kid crosses the line unless they have to go to school there. No kid,that is, except Jeffery. He changes everyone's way of thinking.
He meets a man named Grayson who,in his youth, was a baseball player. Grayson amazes Jeffery with stories of the minor leauges. Jeffery's favorite story is one when Grayson struck out Willie Mays in his last at bat in the minor leauges. They are a happy family, until something happens.
To find out what happens and to learn more about Jeffery's adventures, read Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinnelli.