Dig Deep!

4/6/2016

Dig Deep!

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During our interactive read aloud, you came up with some amazing inferences/conclusions about this book...

let's take it a step further and turn it into a digital conversation...

Have a look at the google doc where our conversation points are posted, and elaborate on one or more of them. There is no direct question for you to answer for this assignment. I am giving you an opportunity to add to our discussion in a creative way.

These are the only requirements:
-Your submission should be AT LEAST two paragraphs.
-Your opinions/inferences MUST be supported with evidence
-Your work MUST be thoughtful and ADD to our conversation.
-You give me a 4 on the effort scale.

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FlahertyChromebook2015

82 Comments

Alexa

4/6/2016 15:43:13

I know that maniac has gone to many places and has lived with many people. The only thing is that he has made some mistakes and now he needs to rubuild some bridges and he also has tix those mistakes. I'm trying to say that Maniac made a mistake by leaving the Beale's because he thought he was causing trouble. Now he needs to ix that problem because the Beale's appreciated him being in their home.
Maniac was organized and he kept his room clean. He also kept the smaller children occupied and Mrs. beale didn't need to clean. Hester and Lester appreciated Maniac because he would read to them and take baths with them. Amanda appreciated Maniac because she could keep her books at home and she didn't need to bring them to school. I think that Maniac is thinking too deeply about what he's been doing.

Maniac Magee

4/6/2016 20:40:34

That is so true I should never have left them.

Heidi :)

4/7/2016 14:20:05

I think that you are right and I agree with you. He should have stayed with the Beale's but he left them since he thought he was causing them trouble. Maniac also helped a lot while he was living with them too like taking bow wow out, keeping his room clean, doing the dishes, and a bunch of other things too.

Heidi

4/6/2016 15:45:10

In the first and second part of the book, both families were taken away from maniac. But they were taken away differently. In the fist part of the "Maniac Magee" on page 76, it says "Between the curbs, smackdab down the center, Maniac Magee walked- not ran- right on out of town." He ran away from the beale's because he thought he was causing them harm. Since he was white and they were black, maniac thought he was causing the harm so he ran away. He had a choice to run away or stay but he decided to run away from the beale's.

In the second part of the book, maniac's second family which was him and Grayson was taken away without choice. On page 115 it said " Maniac went over."Grayson.""He shook the old man. "Grayson?"" He took the old man's hand. It was cold."Grayson!" He liked Grayson and wanted to stay with him. But since Grayson was old, he died. Maniac didn't have a choice for Grayson to die or live. He wanted to stay and not run away but since Grayson was old he died so that caused Maniac to find another family.

Rose

4/7/2016 14:35:24

Why did you think he was causing harm?

Aidan

4/6/2016 16:29:59

I think that maniac is a ver helpful and not greedy person. I think he is helpful because he does things for people even if they do not ask him. For example he would wash the dishes, clean up spills, mow the lawn and take Bow Wow for walks when he was with the Beale's. Also he helped Grayson put up fences and do other jobs that needed to be done. Finally he taught Grayson how to read. He taught him how to sound out words and a lot of other things you need to know to read. This was a big help to Grayson because he is now able to do everything a regular person can do.

I think that Maniac is not greedy. I think this because he did not ask for any money after he did the chores/jobs for Grayson and the Beale's. Grayson gave him 50 cents each day and Maniac did not ask for more. He just said thank you and then bought books with it because the library was selling them. He never asked for more money because he did not need it. He also did not complain about getting so little money.

Colin

4/7/2016 14:20:55

I think you are right. Maniac is a very helpful and not greedy person. I am wondering though, would Maniac be greedy if Grayson didn't give him any money?

Aidan

4/7/2016 18:04:16

I think he wouldn't. I think this because he did not complain when Grayson gave him it. 50cents is not a lot but it is enough for him.

Julianne

4/7/2016 14:26:09

I agree with the first part because teaching someone to read must be very time consuming and frustrating if they are taking a long time to learn. I agree with the second paragraph about the Beales, but not as much about Greyson. 50 cents would be more like $3 because this book was supposed to take place in the 70s or 80s.

Maniacs' step brother

4/7/2016 14:29:40

Wouldn't Maniac be sort of greedy with Grayson? I know that he didn't ask for a lot of stuff but he did also ask for the krimpets.

ALLSON

4/7/2016 15:55:40

I don't think that Manic was greedy with Grayson when asking for krimpets.He just wanted food. It's not like he wanted to go to a restraunt!

Aidan

4/7/2016 18:06:33

Yes. You have a point but Maniac was not the only one eating the krimpets. Grayson was eating them with him. Also he wasn't greedy with Grayson because he does not need a lot.

Rose

4/7/2016 18:30:10

I agree that Maniac is not a greedy person. I think so because Maniac bought the books, taught Grayson how to read, and then Grayson read them. Grayson read them, so Maniac was not being greedy and wasting his money on them.

Nina

4/7/2016 20:29:11

I think that is very true Aidan! Why do you think that he was doing all of these things for them though?

Rose

4/6/2016 16:45:13

When people cared about Maniac they didn't judge him and he didn't judge them. I know this because on pg. 34 in Maniac Megee it says , “Not only that, but white just didn't put their mouths where black kids had had theirs, be it soda bottles, spoons or candy bars.” Mars Bar was thinking this after Maniac took a bite out of his candy bars. Mars Bar doesn't like Maniac so he was separating the blacks and whites.
Though, Amanda Beale cares about him. On pg. 40 it quotes, “She turned misty eyes to Maniac, 'It's one of my favorite pages.' Maniac smiled, 'We can fix it.' The way he said it, she believed. 'Want to come to my house,' she said. 'Sure' he said.” (the “she” was Amanda Beale) Only friends would invite each other to their houses, and Amanda was black and Maniac was white. Another quote is, on pg. 146, “And they might still be calling to this day had not a single voice separated itself from the others: 'Burn 'im, Magee!' It was Hands Down, laughing and pointing from his perch on the roof of a car.” This was right before the race between Mars Bar and Maniac Megee started racing on Sycamore street. Hands Down was the only one in the crowd who was cheering for Maniac. Hands Down is a black football player and, according to him is a really cool white kid. Both Amanda Beale and Hands Down like Maniac Megee, so they both don't care if Maniac is black or white.

Alexa

4/7/2016 14:20:48

I agree with you because there are some people that judged Maniac just because of the color of his skin but there are also some people who didn't judge Maniac. I liked your post because you supported your claims with a lot of evidence and we got a little more insight on why you thought what you thought.

Heidi

4/7/2016 14:35:16

I agree with you and you also have a lot of proof.

Rose

4/7/2016 18:20:06

What do you agree with in my post?

Jack

4/6/2016 16:53:51

There were many similarites and difrences in part one and part two in our book. Maniac ran away from the Beales by decision it says on page 75, “he couldn’t keep leting them pay such a price for him.It was difrent with Grayson though; with him he had no choice. The author states on page 114,”Five days later the old man was dead.” Also a page later on 115 it says, “He took the old man’s hand. It was cold.” Maniac has it tough I feel bad for him.
Maniac had good things happen though to, people that cared about him did not judge him and he did not judge them. I can infer this because it says on page 43-44”Mrs Beal listened to Mr. Beales explanation before saying you’re staying here.” O page 114 for Christmas Grayson gave him a baseball glove the proof is that the Jerry says “Maniac tore it open-and gasped helplessly when he saw what it was. ... A baseball glove...” can you tell that they care about him. Also Maniac did things for them like on page 45 “ He carried out the trash, mowed the grass ,cleaned up his own spills, turned off the lights, put the cap back on the tooth paste tube, flushed the toilet and _ Mrs. Beal called it the “miracle on sycamore street” he kept his room neat. For Grayson On page 114 it says “The title the man who struck out Willey Mays. The author name which he said out loud with some difficulty Jeffrey L. Magee. That was nice of Jeffrey.

Alex

4/7/2016 15:14:56

Maniac is a nice person but what do you think he would do if someone like the Beale's caused him harm? He left only because he thought he was causing them harm. But what would he do if they caused him harm?

Colin

4/6/2016 17:58:15

Maniac was living with two different groups. In these groups Maniac was very caring and helpful. When Maniac was with the Beales he helped out with things around the house. For example, on page 45 it said "He took Bow Wow out for runs and he did the dishes without anybody asking." Also on page 45-46 it says "He carried out the trash, mowed the grass, cleaned up his own spills, turned out the lights, put the cap back on the toothpaste tube, flushed the toilet, and-Mrs. Beale called it "the miracle on Sycamore Street"-he kept his room neat.
When Maniac was with Grayson he was helpful too. On page 93 the author wrote "He helped the old man raise a new fence around the children's petting farmyard." Maniac also taught Grayson how to read. On page 102 it said "And the old man studied it awhile and said, slowly, gingerly: "I...see...the...ball." Maniac whooped, "You're reading!" That's how Maniac was helpful to both groups.

Derek

4/7/2016 14:18:20

I agree with you because you did a great job backing up your opinions with evidence. Also was there any other ways that Maniac helped Grayson????

Colin

4/7/2016 20:04:01

Thanks, I di find some other things that Maniac helped Grayson with. He help him find his story and he did other stuff like mending fences and patching asphalt.

Maniac Magee

4/7/2016 14:32:22

Not to brag but I DID help him a lot didn't I

Makenna

4/6/2016 18:01:12

What maniac had with the Beales was great but he ran away from them, what he had with Grayson was taken away from him. On page 50 Maniac said that he loves everything that the Beales gave him and did for him. Like letting him lick the icing spoon, the church bells he heard, his new sneakers that Mrs.Beale bought for him, he loved the whole family. When he was with Grayson he didn't run away but was forced to leave. On page 14 he was overjoyed at Christmas time" he rushed to the Old Man and hug him." However " five days later the Old Man was dead." So he had to ran away.

Also the people who cared about Maniac didn't judge him. Mrs. Beale said "you'll be nothing but Jeffrey in here." Grayson didn't judge him even though he was in the Buffalo even though he was in the Buffalo pen at the zoo when he found him. Grayson was really nice and let him stay at his house. Grayson bought him food and clothes. In return Maniac taught him how to read. Their relationship was very strong and they didn't judge each other through it.

Sophia

4/7/2016 14:20:13

I really liked your post. It was great because I did something similar to yours but you picked different reasons why the Beals and Grayson were kind. This was very good.

Alex

4/7/2016 14:20:19

I agree that Grayson cared for Maniac because he not only got him the glove but also got him gloves, butterscotch krimpets, and a brand new baseball for the glove.

Nate D

4/6/2016 18:24:25

In part 1 and 2 of Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli there are many differences and similarities. One of them is that in Part 1 and Part 2, Maniac was just accepted into the family. Also, he was living with many people in Part 1 and 1 person in Part 2.

In both Part 1 and Part 2 Maniac was just accepted into the family. On page 44, Part 1, it says "She (Mrs. Beale) listened to no more than ten of seconds' worth of Mr. Beale's explanation before saying to Maniac "You're staying here." In Part 2, page 84, it says "Then Grayson took Maniac HOME," which means he took Maniac in for a family-like-friend.

In Part 1 and Part 2 there were some differences. In Part 1, it says on page 51 "Then TWO members OF HIS OWN FAMILY..." which means he had a family with more than one other member in it. I Part 2 it says "Maniac was the only mourner," which means no one lived or knew Grayson well.

In Part 1 and 2 there are many similarities and differences.

McDab

4/7/2016 14:19:59

I liked your post, it was very straight forward. Also, plenty similarities and differences.

Rose

4/7/2016 14:28:29

I never thought of how he was living with many people in part 1 and not in part 2. Your last paragraph was so sad. The way you said it makes it seem like no one cares about him. Which is true.

Maniac

4/7/2016 14:30:38

Wait...no one cares about me? Ever?

Allison

4/6/2016 18:28:45

Manic has been to many diffrent homes. The Beale family and Earl Grayson were his favorites. He ran away from the Beales by choice but Grayson was taken from him.
I know that he left the Beales by choice because the author said that he walked right of town and that amanda begged him to stay. Also on page 75 it said " He couldn't keep letting them pay such a price for him". These quotes state that he left the Beale family by choice.
I know that Manic had no choice but to leave Grayson because Grayson died.:(I know this because on page 115 it says "He took the old man's hand. It was cold. Grayson!" and on page 116 it says "he closed his eyes. Only then did he cry". You can tell that Manic was sad Grayson was gone and didn't want hime to have gone.

Julianne

4/6/2016 18:39:53

I think that it is not Maniac's fault that he can't deal with his problems. I think this because he had never had parents that were very good role models for him. If he did, then Maniac probably wouldn't have ran away from all of his problems.

Maniac's Uncle Dan and Aunt Dot were not very good role models for him. In stead of fixing their problems, they ignored them. Uncle Dan and Aunt Dot couldn't stand each other,but in stead of moving out of the same house they just bought two of everything so they wouldn't have to share anything.

When people in the West End were being mean to Maniac and telling him to go back to "his own kind," the Beales didn't tell them to stop. The Beales just ignored them. When Mars Bar wrote "Fishbelly go home" on their house, Amanda, Hester and Lester tried to distract Maniac while their mom washed it off of the house so Maniac wouldn't see it.

Greyson was very poor, and he didn't exactly have a job. But Greyson didn't try to get more money, he just continued being poor and living in his room at the Y.

Mr. Pestone

4/7/2016 14:10:18

What a fresh idea! I had never thought about the Beale's or Grayson being part of the problem....

Your post makes me wonder, would Maniac have become a better problem solver if the Beales or Grayson had tried to teach him how?

Sophia

4/7/2016 14:24:31

I think your post was very good. I like how you mentioned his uncle and aunt. But what do you think Maniac would be like if his aunt and uncle were good role models?

Julianne

4/7/2016 14:29:25

If Maniac's Uncle and Aunt were better role models, he probably still would be living with them since one of the reasons he ran away was because he was fed up of them not getting along.

Eva

4/6/2016 19:34:28

Maniac was taken away from Grayson but he ran away from the Beale family. Maniac ran away from the Beale's because on oh. 75 he didn't want them to pay a price for him "He couldn't let them pay such a price for him." Maniac also ran away from the Beale's because he influenced himself to get away from the East end when Maniac remembered the man saying "Go back to your own kind."

Maniac was taken away from Grayson. On pg.114 the book said that "Five days later the old man was dead." this shows that Maniac didn't choose for Grayson to leave his life. Also on pg. 116 it shows that Maniac wishes Grayson wouldn't of died "He began taking to the old man, about the places he had been on the road, about the places that the two of them might have gone to, about everything."

Makenna

4/7/2016 16:48:56

Great post! Why do you think Maniac wishes that Grayson didn't die.

Alex

4/6/2016 19:41:44

I know Maniac Magee was famous in the east end and stayed out of everyone's way with Grayson. I know because with the Beales he shouted "Hellajuiah, Amen!" At church and everyone clapped and laughed and the author said "Maniac's fame spread all over the East end."in part 1. That is literally saying he is famous. Also in part 1 they say "Everyone knew him, the kid who lived on 728 sycamore, the kid who is allergic to pizza, and the kid who can pole ax a stickball ball like a 12th grader." This is saying everyone knew him. However in part 2 it is just him and Grayson, there were no other characters until Grayson died.

I also know that the Beales and Grayson cared for him. I know because it says that Grayson bought Maniac butterscotch krimpets and gave him money and the book says "In his turn he opened" so Grayson gave him presents. The Beales brought him to church and it says"He loved the new sneakers the ones Mrs. Beale bought for him." So the Beales brought him places and bought him new things.

Maniacs' step brother

4/7/2016 14:24:40

I never thought about how Maniac was famous in the East end, but out of peoples way when he was Grayson. It really shows how Maniac acted around everyone after he was at the east end. Finally, wasn't Maniac famous in the west end during part one since he went into the Finsterwalds back yard? I know that it wasn't when he was with Grayson during the time then.

Alex

4/7/2016 14:32:30

Well, Maniac was famous in the west end but when he was with Grayson there weren't any other characters. They didn't appear until part 3.

Sophia

4/6/2016 20:09:00

Maniac had few friends and few family's. He had the choice to stay and the choice to leave the Beals, but he was forced to leave Grayson. I know this because on page 75 it states " The right thing to do was to make sure the Beals didn't get hurt anymore." When Maniac said this he meant that the Beals sacrificedthings for him so he would be happy. Maniac could of stayed with the Beals but left. I know Maniac was forced to leave Grayson. I know this because if you look on page 114 the author states " Five days later the old man was dead." Maniac couldn't stay with Grayson because Grayson was not living and breathing. He was dead and can't take of anyone now.

I also know that both family's cared for Maniac. I know this because if you look on page 75 the author states " It was my fault, I got careless." This was the sister saying she didn't care that her favorite book got ripped apart. She tried so much to make it seem like she didn't care. I also know both family's cared for Maniac because Grayson was poor living in the Y, but spent lots of money on this random stranger (the stranger was Maniac). So both family's cared for Maniac.

Nina

4/7/2016 14:24:17

He really did not want the Beal's to get hurt anymore. What you said was kind of similar to what in my post. But I am wondering, how did Grayson die. What do you think happened?

Sophia

4/7/2016 14:27:04

Thank you Nina. I think Grayson could of died in many ways. He may of had a heart attack while he was sleeping or maybe a stoke. Or he could of just died of old age.

Nina

4/7/2016 14:31:11

I was thinking he could have died of a heart attack too. I did not think of any other ones that you said. Very clever Sophia!

Makenna

4/7/2016 14:34:35

Great post! I like how you say he doesn't have much family or friends even though he is like a legend. I thought you had great details.

Sophia

4/8/2016 06:44:55

Thank you Makenna. I think your responses were great and you also used lots of details. So, nice job.

Rebecca

4/6/2016 20:17:27

There are many similarities between part 1 and part . One similarity is that Maniac was accepted into a family in both parts. In the first part the Beale family took Maniac into their house and they gave him a family that loved him and cared about him. Also in the second part Grayson found Maniac and cared for him. Another similarity is that the people that cared about him didn't judge him and he didn't judge them. The Beales didn't care that Maniac was white and Maniac didn't care that they were black. Also Grayson didn't care that Maniac was in the buffalo pen at the zoo and Maniac didn't care that Grayson didn't know how to read.

There was also some differences between the two parts. One is that he ran away from the Beales, but what he had with Grayson was taken away from him. He ran away from the Beales because he thought he was causing trouble and harm to them. But when Grayson died Maniac had nowhere to go so he just started to run. Another difference is that in part 1 Maniac was famous for his differences in the east end. But in part 2, in the west end, he stayed out of peoples business. In part 1 Maniac was white and the rest of the town was black. Also in part 2 Maniac was just like everyone else so no one noticed him.

There are many similarities and differences in the book.

Rose

4/7/2016 14:22:39

I never thought of how Grayson didn't care that Maniac was in the buffalo pen at the zoo. But wasn't Maniac out side of the buffalo pen at the time? It says on page 80, "The old man was bumping through the zoo in the park pickup when he spotted the body clumped outside the buffalo pen."

Rebecca

4/7/2016 14:26:15

I didn't notice that it said outside of the pen the first time, but now that you said that I noticed it.

Maniac Magee

4/7/2016 14:29:24

That is correct he did find me there:-]

Jamie

4/6/2016 20:18:41

Maniac has done a few different things with different people. For instance he ran away from the Beal's even though he had something great with them. On page 75 the author wrote "He couldn't keep letting them pay such a price for him." That quote proves that Maniac ran away because he thought he was causing trouble. What he had with Grayson was taken away without choice. Maniac didn't have to run away. On page 114 the author wrote "Five days later the old man was dead." So Grayson died and Maniac's best option was to leave and find a new place to stay.

Also Manic was 'famous' in the East end because he was different. On page 73 Spinelli wrote "And then, around dinnertime a huge roar went up, a volcano of cheers." Maniac was famous there because he untied Cobbler's knot. When Maniac was in the West end he stayed out of people's business. He stayed in a baseball equipment room and only really got to know one person who was Grayson.

Amanda

4/7/2016 14:19:41

The idea that I wrote about is similar to what you were thinking. I agree with you because I thought those were the main similarities and differences in part 1 and part 2. Your paragraphs were very detailed and you supported it with great evidence!

Rebecca

4/7/2016 14:23:26

I agree with the part that you said that he couldn't keep paying such a price for them. Also I like how you said he was famous in one part but stayed out of peoples business in the other side. I also like how you wrote "on page # Spinelli wrote".

Makenna

4/7/2016 14:23:33

Your post was really good. I like how you gave lots of details to support your claim. Do you think Maniac would of ran away if Grayson didn't die or do you think he would like what he did with all his other families.

Jamie

4/7/2016 14:29:14

Dear Makenna,
I think that Maniac would have stayed with Grayson if he didn't die. I think that because it seemed like he was having a great time. But I wonder that if Maniac knew what would happen if he left Grayson if Maniac would still leave.

Anna

4/7/2016 14:25:45

I like how you put famous in quotes because he was not like a superstar but people knew his name.

Sophia

4/8/2016 06:47:52

Jamie, I think your response was full of detail. How do you think Maniac would of acted if he still lived with his uncle and aunt.

Aurora

4/6/2016 20:37:54

I know that Mainaic was well rounded and doing much better when he was with a whole family.What I'm trying to say is he should have cherished his family, it seemed like Maniac was much happier, open and well rounded when he was with loved ones. The evidence is on page 50 " Maniac loved he loved his new life. His new sneakers, the ones Mrs. Beale for him. He loved the new quietness of his footsteps as he trotted Bow Wow to the early-morning streets". It can also be found on page 51 "He loved Fourth of July block party, when the whole East End converged for a day and night of games and music and grilled chicken and sweet potato pie and dancing until the last firecracker, and then some. Maniac love the colors of the East End the people colors ".
Even more evidence appears on page 52. " He loved joining all the colors at the fake can't lie and play in the summer days away. Stickball, basketball, football. Half the time he forgot to go home for lunch". One last piece of evidence is on page 54. "Maniac's fame spread all over the East End. The new white kid. Who lived with the Beales at 728 Sycamore. Who ran the streets before the fathers went out. Who could poleax a stickball like a twelfth-grader and catch a football like Hands Down".

McNab/Kieran

4/6/2016 20:42:02

I think part one and part two are different because in part one Maniac ran away from the Beales, "He thought, they pay too much of a price for me". So he ran away by choice. In part two Grayson passed away, and this wasn't for Maniac to decide. "The old man's hand was cold, and Maniac knew".

Also, part one and part two are different because in part one Maniac spent most of his time with the Beales and actually lived with them. "Not long after, he was lying in Amanda's bed". However, in part two Maniac spent most of his time with Grayson and lived with him for a little while. "Maybe you could come over to my place", (said Grayson to Maniac). Part one and two were also similar because Maniac had one family in each part, The Beales and Grayson.

Those were my opinions about these parts of the book.

Anna

4/6/2016 20:59:42

There are similarities and differences between part one and part two of Mainiac Magee. In both parts Maniac finds and lives with a caring family. I know this because on page 43 it says " Mr. Beale stopped, but he didn't let Maniac out of the car." It also says on the next page Mr. Beale said " your staying here". Plus the family treats him like he was born into the family. Also in the story it said " Then Grayson took Maniac home". Grayson bought many things for Maniac and he grabbed him when he was on the ground.
A difference from the two parts of the book is in the beginning Maniac was telling stories like he was a role model but later in the book he was listening to the stories like he looked up to Grayson. Hester and Lester use to love to play with him and hear all about him. Then when he was not with the Beales any more he was just relaxing and listening to the stories instead of telling them. He would always ask for Grayson to tell stories and earlier Hester and Lester would ask him to tell stories.

Derek

4/6/2016 21:00:48

In class we talked about that Maniac ran away from something great with the Beales, but what he had with Grayson was taken away from him. Spinelli says on page 75 "He couldn't keep letting them pay such a price for him."When Maniac says this to himself he thinks that while he is being happy and has a place to stay, the Beales are suffering from him being there. After this Maniac ran away. On page 114 it states "Five days later the old man was dead."The old man is Grayson. Grayson died.So sad! This means that Maniac could do nothing to stop this from happening. Grayson was truly taken away from Maniac.

Also in class we talked about how both people[the Beales and Grayson] cared for Maniac either with love or by buying him things that he needed. On page 84 it says"Grayson got the Krimpets all right." Prior to this when Grayson first found Maniac, Maniac asked for these Krimpets because he was hungry. Grayson was a caring person and got these for Maniac. Jerry states on page 50 "He loved his new sneakers, The ones Mrs.Beale bought for him." When the Beales accepted Maniac into their family they cared for him and gave him all the things he needed. Like the shoes they bought him.

Nate D.

4/7/2016 14:22:54

I like how you said "Spinelli says on page 75..." because it tells me who wrote it and where to get the information. Also it shows how you know that your statement is true.

Christopher Utley

4/7/2016 14:26:03

I like your post because when you said that Grayson was a very good person and that he bought him what he needed. Grayson bought Maniac thing like new clothes, butter scotch krimpets, water, food and other important things.Your idea makes me think that Grayson likes Maniac more then the Beales liked him. You post connects to mine because I said the same thing on page 75 that he couldn't let the Beales pay such a high price for him, and then he ran away from them. I liked that section because it proves that he did run away with something great with the Beales.

Jack

4/7/2016 14:28:34

Do you think that Maniac ran away because he thought the Beales were spending to much money on him?

Derek

4/7/2016 14:31:17

Maybe he did run away because he thought that.He did say that he couldn't let them keep paying a price. Nice thought. I never thought about it that way.

Nina

4/6/2016 21:12:24

At the end of part one Maniac ran away from the Beal's because he thought he was making everything worse. One reason why he did this was Maniac thought it was his fault Encyclopedia A got ripped into shreds. Also he did not want the Beal's to get hurt socially anymore. What he probably means by that is he did not want them to get sad over things that he did. Lastly in the book it said "he couldn't keep letting them pay such a price for him." witch connects to what I said in the sentence above.
Also at the end o part two Maniac left them cemetery without a goodbye to anyone. One reason he might have left the cemetery was that no one showed up or even cared about the old man that had died. One last reason he might have ran away is in the book it said " Maniac wished he hadn't come." He probably was feeling like that because he was very sad about Grayson so he wanted to leave but had nowhere to go.

Eva

4/7/2016 14:19:24

I agree with you when you said that Maniac didn't want them to get sad over things that he did because in the book Maniac didn't seem as happy and outgoing, also the Beale's weren't that bright.

Amanda

4/6/2016 21:40:16

I already know that there are many similarities and differences between part 1 and part 2. I'm trying to prove that Maniac ran away from a great relationship with the Beales but what he had with Grayson was taken away from him without a choice. Grayson died unexpectedly without any warning, after their caring friendship during Christmas. Page 114 quoted, "Five days later the old man was dead." Maniac definitely did not know this was going to happen so soon. Part 1 is where Maniac ran away from the Beales, and on page 75 it said, “The right thing was to make sure the Beales didn’t get hurt anymore. He couldn’t keep letting them pay such a price for him.” The Beales were Maniac’s family, but Maniac didn’t want to harm them in any way or be the cause of something bad that happens.
Although, both parts have a caring family, the Beales and Grayson both cared for him by giving him food, clothes, and a home to stay in. In part 2 on page 104 it says, “little by little, Grayson had brought him a lot of things: a chest of drawers for his clothes, a space heater, a two foot refrigerator, hundreds of paper dishes and plastic utensils, blankets, and a mat to sleep on.” Grayson wanted to make Maniac happy because when Grayson was a kid not all of his dreams came true and at times he was in solitude. As noted on page 56, “Maniac loved almost everything about his new life living with the Beales.” The Beales were so kind to Maniac, and he had never felt what it’s like to be living with a caring family.

Anna

4/7/2016 14:19:18

I agree with you when you said that Grayson died unexpectedly because he never really acted strange he just randomly passed away.

Jamie

4/7/2016 14:24:04

I agree with the fact that the Beal's were taken away by choice but Grayson was taken away without choice. I agree because you are right when you say that Grayson died and so Maniac had to leave. But when Maniac was with the Beal's he ran away. I just had one question, did Grayson really provide Maniac a home or did he just let him stay in the equipment room? Why didn't Maniac move into the Y with Grayson?

Eva

4/7/2016 14:35:34

I agreed when you said the Beales werekind and how you didn't know why he ran away.

Amanda

4/7/2016 16:59:59

Jamie, I think that he just let him stay in the equipment room but it was like he provided Maniac a home because otherwise Maniac would still just be sleeping near the buffalo pen. Also, he couldn't stay at the Y with Grayson because everyone would be suspicious of him.

James

4/6/2016 21:55:54

In both parts Maniac faced challenges. In part one maniac faced the challenge of thinking he was causing harm to the Beales'. As quoted on page 75 it said "The right thing thing was to make sure the Beales didn't get hurt anymore. He couldn't keep letting them to pay such a price on him." In part two Maniac had to deal with the person who loved him dying. As quoted on page 114 it says, "Five days later the old man was dead." Also on page 116 it says, "... when he closed his eyes, did he cry." Those quotes proved that Maniac faced challenges because both are him dealing with someone dying or thinking he hurt someone.

Part one and two had some similarities. One is he got accepted into a family. On page 44 it says "you're staying here." That proves Maniac was excepted into a family. Also on page 89 it says, "... maybe you want to come over my place." That proves Grayson is offering Maniac a place to stay. Maniac also helped both people out. He helped the Beales by having both Hester and Lester take baths. Also he kept his room clean. As stated on page 48 "Jeffrey! Jeffrey! Get a bath with us! Will ya?" That proves they will start taking baths again. Maniac helped out Grayson by giving him a family. Grayson didn't have one but now he does. Those are some of the multiple similarities.

Maniac

4/7/2016 14:31:03

Hey Mr. James how did you know I faced those hardships! Let me tell you though that those times in my life were very difficult because something that meant a lot to me went away:(

Mr. James

4/7/2016 14:34:12

Ok Maniac I'm sorry!

James

4/7/2016 20:31:58

Well Mr.Maniac I know you faced those hardships because 1. You just told me and 2. Jerry Spinelli said so.

Christopher Utley

4/7/2016 06:51:18

I know that Maniac ran away with something great with the Beales but, what he had with Grayson was taken away.I know this because on page 75 it said "he couldn't keep letting them pay such a price for him." This proves that he couldn't stay because while he was staying with the Beales so much stuff was happening that Maniac was blaming his self for.

On page 114 is said that "five days later the old man was dead." This proves that what he had with Grayson was taken away without a choice. I know that because Maniac wouldn't have run away from Grayson because life was happy. But later after Christmas, Grayson mysteriously died. So have happiness was taken away once Grayson died. :(

Ryan

4/7/2016 14:21:20

I agree with you that when Grayson died all the happiness was taken away. I think this because Maniac and Grayson had a really good relationship together because they were alike in many ways and they liked each other a lot. Also When you said Grayson died it made me think that Maniac is unlucky because Maniac knew that he wasn't going to run away from Grayson but he had to because Grayson died.

Ryan

4/7/2016 07:18:47

In the end in part 1 and part 2 there were some similarities and differences. In part 1 maniac ran away from the beales. Maniac did this because he thought he was causing trouble and making things worse. He thought he made things worse because he ripped the encyclopedia A. Maniac should've stayed with the beales though because they cared for him and fed him.
In the end of part 2 Maniac had to go away from Grayson. Maniac had to do this because Grayson died. Grayson treated Maniac very good just like the beales. Grayson took Maniac to the zoo. Maniac loved to visit the zoo and Maniac would play with the Buffaloes. Grayson also fed him well and cared for him.

Rose

4/7/2016 18:24:37

But there is no evidence that Maniac ripped the encyclopedia A. How do you know that Maniac ripped it? For all you know it was Hester and\or Lester who ripped the encyclopedia A.

demetres

2/19/2018 19:03:41

Yes I do agree that Hester and/or Lester could have ripped encyclopedia A , but there is no proof that Hester and/or Lester or Maniac ripped it. In the book it says Amanda left encyclopedia A on the front porch and I think someone took it and turned it into confetti.
I think maniac thought of Grayson like a father. Maniac was very sad when Grayson died. The reason that I say maniac thinks of Grayson as a father is because Grayson took care of maniac and he did his best to feed and love him.

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Dig Deep!

During our interactive read aloud, you came up with some amazing inferences/conclusions about this book...let's take it a step further and turn it into a digital conversation...

Leave a Reply.

​Maniac Magee Blog

During our interactive read aloud, you came up with some amazing inferences/conclusions about this book...

let's take it a step further and turn it into a digital conversation...

Maniac Magee Blog