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...--.---. ..... ....__._­ Meet the Author Jerry Spinelli

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Jerry Spinelli gets his story ideas from real children. "You're the funny ones. You're the fascinating ones," he remarked to a group of stu~ents while discussing his writing. Indeed, Jerry Spinelli has often written stories from the point of view of a child. In fact, the inspiration for his first novel, Space Station Seventh Grade, was one of his own children who ate some food that Spinelli had put away for himself as a snack.

Born February 1, 1941, in Norristown, Pennsylvania, Spinelli's first notable writing came when, as a teenager, he wrote a poem about a local team's football triumph and it was subsequently published in the newspaper. Spinelli knew that he wanted to be a writer from that time on, but he "didn't know how hard it would be or how long it would take."

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The author graduated from Gettysburg College in 1963 with a Bachelor @f Arts degree and from Johns Hopkins University in 1964 with a Master of Arts degree. He then he began to work full time for a publishing finn because he needed to support his wife and growing family. The Spinellis eventually had six children. Maniac Magee, winner of the Newbery Medal in 1991, was written during his lunch hours and on the weekends. It wasn't until most of his

I children were grown that Jerry decided to quit his job and spend more time writing his own I

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Other popular books that present his engaging and creative portraits of adolescents include Ii Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush?, There's a Girl in My Hammerlock, and Fourth Grade ii Rats. The author currently lives in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, where he continues to write.

He enjoys family life, tennis, country music, and travel. Spinelli advises would-be writers: i: "Write about what you care about. That's when you are going to do your best writing." ii

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4 Maniac Magee © 1995 Educational Impressions, Inc.

Vocabulary Before the Story and

Chapters One, Two,' Three, and Four

Use the words in the box to complete the sentences. You may need to use your dictionary.

bellowed bulged deserted hesitated hinges

intended legend lunged musicale obvious

puzzlement risers scraggly snatched stunned

suspicious theories trestle vanish volumes

1. The chorus performed at the school's spring ______

2. The park was ______; no one was there.

' . 3. The man's voice ______ across the crowded auditorium.

4. Jim started to leave, but he ______ and returned to his seat.

5. The ______ on the door squeaked.

6. The basketball fans were ______ when the rookie made the half-court shot.

7. The ______ dog needed a bath.

8. We stuffed so much into the suitcase that it ______

9. As the train crossed over the ______, I looked down at the highway below.

10. We had to stay only one hour, but we lost track of the time.

11. The scientist had many on the problem, but he hadn't proved any.

12. I enjoy reading about the of Robin Hood.

13. The dog at the visitor and alinost knocked him over.

14. In our house the of the steps are very steep.

15. The mugger the woman's pocketbook and ran away .

16. Jack was of the new neighbor; he didn't trust him.

17. The papers seemed to ; we didn't know what happened to them.

18. There are twenty in our encyclopedia set.

19. Tom was very confused; Sue noted his ______

20. We were so far ahead that it was ______ to the onlookers that we would win.

© 1995 Educational Impressions, Inc, Maniac Magee 5

Comprehension and Discussion Questions Before the Story and

Chapters One, Two, Three, and Four f

Answer the following questions in complete sentence form. Give examples from the story to support your response.

BEFORE TIlE STORY:

1. Explain the author's repeated use of the words "they say."

2. What was Maniac Magee's principal legacy?

CHAPTER ONE: (

1. Explain the circumstances that forced Jeffrey Magee to live with his aunt and uncle.

2. Why was Jeffrey so unhappy living with his Aunt Dot and Uncle Dan?

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3. What caused the "birth scream of a legend"? Evaluate this phrase. Do you think it accurately

I I describes the situation7 Why or why not?

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6 Maniac Magee © 1995 Educational Impressions, Inc.

CHAYfER TWO:

1. Explain "The Lost Year."

2. What did Jeffrey say that made people wonder about him? What does this tell us about the town?

CHAYfER THREE:

1. Amanda seemed somewhat suspicious of Jeffrey at first. Explain the reason.

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2. Explain why Amanda carried all her books in a suitcase. Judge whether or not this was a practical solution. Give your reasons.

3. Guess why Amanda decided to loan Jeffrey a book. What would you have done if you were Amanda?

CHAPfER FOUR:

1. What was unusual about Jeffrey's performance on the high school field?

© 1995 Educational Impressions, Inc. Maniac Magee 7 : ..