What made you quiver?

3/23/2016

What made you quiver?

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At what point did you stop and think to yourself...Maniac is hilarious/weird/incorrigible/iridescent/mangy, or anything else?

Assignment: Use a quote from the book to tell everyone about your favorite part so far. After you type the quote, use your own words to explain why you like it so much!

here's an example of what it should look like:

"Suddenly I sat up straight. How much gas did we have? It was almost a miracle to see the Mobil sign. I touched Josie's arm, pointing, and we pulled off the road, waiting for the attendant to fill the tank.
"Good Idea," Josie said, and I had to smile at her.
She'd have driven till the tank was half empty, and might have never remembered."

I like this quote from the book because it shows how Hollis and Josie make such a good team. I can picture them meandering down the highway, and the fact that Josie is bewildered about the gas situation puts a little comedy into an otherwise tense situation. Most of all, I like how Hollis is so understanding and compassionate when it comes to Josie.

YOU must respond to at least one classmate's post!
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Alexa

3/23/2016 16:05:43

"The way maniac fit in, you would have thought he was born there. He played with the little ones and read them stories and taught them things. He took Bow Wow out for runs and he did the dishes without anybody asking."

I like this quote from the book because it makes Maniac seem like he's been living with the Beale's forever and that he fit in. I like it that the West end and East end are coming together in a way because Maniac lives with the Beale's.

Maniac

3/24/2016 07:19:38

#eastsidewestside #unity

Eva

3/24/2016 10:42:38

I also like this quote because it shows that the west end and east end are coming together. I thought about that also.

Alex

3/23/2016 16:11:14

"And then around dinner time, a huge roar went up, a volcanoe of cheers. Cobbles knot was dead. Undone. Gone. It was nothing but string."

I like this moment because it is a happy moment. It paints a picture in my head because it uses a simile to describe the roar of cheers. It is a happy moment because Maniac did something no one else could do. Also Amanda said that everyone would like him if he did it, so it is like he accomplished something.

Colin

3/23/2016 19:55:57

I liked that moment too. It really was a happy time for Maniac.

Mr. Pestone

3/24/2016 07:21:46

I love Spinelli's frequent use of similes!

Rose

3/23/2016 16:18:28

"Only one hope now-McNab had to grab the frog and tag the runner out. But now the frog shot through his legs, over to the mound, and now toward shortstop and now toward second, and McNab was lurching and lunging,throwing his hat at the frog, throwing his glove, and everybody was screaming, and the kid was rounding third and digging for home, and-unbelievable!- the ”ball” was heading back home too! The ball, the batter the pitcher all racing for home plate, and it was the batter, the new kid out of nowhere, who crossed the plate first, at the same time scooping up his book, twirling his borrowed red cap back to the cheering others, and jogging on past the empty stands and up the hill to the boulevard; McNab gasping, croaking after him: 'Don't stop till yer outta town, runt! Don't let me ever catch ya!' And that's how Jeffery Magee knocked the world's first frogball for a four-bagger.”
I love this quote because I like how the frog hopped around the field while McNab chases after it. Also how Maniac is all cool when he leaves the field. He “scoops up his book and twirls his hat to the cheering others,” and having a fun time while McNab is angry.

Allison

3/23/2016 18:42:37

I liked that part too. The frog is really smart to be running for home!

3/24/2016 07:22:44

Ain't no thang...

Heidi

3/23/2016 16:28:48

"He strugged. "Sounds cozy."
This was driving Amanda bonkers. He was acting so different,all glum,and wiseacre answers. As if he didn't care, not about anything.
"Yeah?" she sniffed. "Well, what're you gonna do for a pillow, huh?" I know you put my pillow on the floor."
"Fuh-nee. And a bathroom,huh? Where will you go to use the bathroom?"
"The bushes. McDonald's. Lots of places.
She hated it. An answer for everything. And the scariest part was, he was probably right. If anyone could survive on the loose, it would be this kid who showed up from Hollidaysburg. Who slept on floors. Who outran dogs.
He was making her so mad!"

I like this quote from the book because I think it's kind of funny when Maniac doesn't really care and answers all of Amanda's questions and it drives her crazy. I can picture Amanda going crazy and it's kind of funny. Also I like the fact that Amanda is saying of of the things Maniac does and he is answering every question without even thinking about it.

3/24/2016 07:24:55

Nice point Heidi! Can you think of a character trait that describes someone who is so unconcerned with what others think of them? Someone who just speaks their mind without thinking of consequences?

3/24/2016 10:39:29

A character trait that describes maniac in this scene is impassive.

Sophia

3/23/2016 17:14:35

" It wasn't a ball at all, it was a frog, and McNab was on the mound cackling away, and the kid at the plate was bug eyed. He'd never - nobody'd ever - tried to hit a fastfrog before. So what did the kid do? He bunted it.

I chose this section because it stood out to me and made me stop reading and think. I thought, " Wow, who would pitch a frog and not a ball! " And then I thought, " I hope the frog didn't get hurt!" That would of been sad. But most of all I thought about what the other kids must of been feeling. Just watching a poor frog get hit with a baseball bat. "Well at least he bunted it and not swung with all his might," that's probably what the kids said. Well at that's what I would of said! I hope everyone agrees with me!

McNab

3/24/2016 10:41:33

That kid deserved it. If he thought he could just walk onto the field and start hitting all the fastballs, and frogs, I threw at him, he was WRONG with a capitol R.

Derek

3/23/2016 17:16:27

McNabb was gaping at the kid who was still standing there all calm and cool waiting for next pitch. Finally a sort of grin slithered across Mcnabs lips. He roared:"Get my hat! Get the ball."10 kids scrambled onto the field bringing him the hat and ball.

I like this quote because first of all it gives me a good understanding of what Mcnabs face looks like when Maniac Magee hit the ball. He was gaping at the kid. Secondly it showed me that everybody respected Mcnab. The kids fled on to the field to get the ball and hat.

Mcnab

3/24/2016 07:26:45

Ya you're right. Everyone knows me. Everyone respects me. If they don't, they get what's comin to 'em!

Ryan

3/24/2016 10:35:40

You're right McNabb was probably surprised when Maniac hit the ball, and McNabb is good at baseball so everyone was probably running on the field surprised that Maniac hit the ball.

Makenna

3/23/2016 17:22:36

He wound up, fired, the ball headed for the plate, and what’s this? A legball? It’s got legs, long legs pinwheeling toward the plate. It wasn’t a ball at all, it was a frog, and McNab was on the mound cackling away, and the kid at the plate was bug-eyed.

This is my favorite part so far. I like this part because it is funny. When I read this I almost fell out of the chair because I was laughing so much. If I were the kid on the mound, I would have been shocked. I knew this would never happen in real life so that’s why it caught my eye! If this did happen in real life I would feel really bad for the kid who’s throwing the frog. I also would feel really, really, bad for the frog too. I also thought it was weird. I thought this was weird because this would never ever happen. If this happened, it would in the newspaper. I really like this part so it’s definitely my favorite part.

Anna

3/23/2016 20:08:39

I loved your reasoning because I would feel bad for the frog too!

3/23/2016 17:26:45

Mcnab was gaping at the kid, who was still standing there all calm and cool, waiting for the next pitch. Finally a sort of grin slithered across Mcnabs lips. He roared:"Get my hat! Get the ball."Ten kids scrambled onto the field , bringing him the hat and ball.

I liked this quote because first of all it shows me what Mcnabs face looked like when Jeffery hit the ball. He gaped at the kid. Secondly It shows me that the kids respected Mcnab. The kids fled onto the field to retrieve the ball and hat.

Aidan

3/23/2016 20:00:29

Derek that is interesting. I never really thought of how that quote shows how those kids respected McNab.

3/24/2016 10:37:25

I agree with you saying that the other kids respect Mcnab because the author uses descriptive words like scrambling to show they respect Mcnab. But they might just be scared of him.

John Cena Maniac 101

3/24/2016 11:10:42

I liked this part too, those kids are very loyal.

3/23/2016 18:40:22

"Manic did the last thing anybody expected: he lay down and took a nap right there on the table, the knot hanging above him like a small hary planet, the mob buzzing around him"
I like this quote because it shows that even if you do something unexpected you can still accomplish things.Also I like the simile "A small hary planet" while reffering to the knot.

3/24/2016 07:28:35

Nice insight! Why do you think Maniac doesn't care what people think about him?

3/24/2016 10:28:46

I think he doesn't care because he knows that after he got it untied everybody would love and not judge him.

3/24/2016 10:24:38

I think that's a good point! I also like how you said that you can still accomplish things even when you do something unexpected. Maniac took a nap which was unexpected, but he stilled untangled the knot!

3/24/2016 10:42:48

I agree with you. You can always accomplish anything you've wanted too.

3/24/2016 11:00:58

Hey don't put that against me. I was tired I needed my sleep. I know it was weird but that's just me.

Nate D.

3/23/2016 18:43:04

"What he did have was the deer shed at the Elmwood Park Zoo, which is where he slept for his first few nights in town. What the deer ate, especially the carrots, apples, and day-old hamburger buns, he ate."

I like this quote because you usually don't see or hear about a young boy sleeping in a public park eating carrots, apples, and day-old hamburger buns with local deer also in the park. Also, I could picture him sleeping in a park with deer and eating the food there.

Kieran

3/23/2016 19:51:31

I liked this part to, seriously the kid's name says it all, so why not act like a deer.

Jack

3/23/2016 20:17:52

I am surprised he did not get sick from the food

3/24/2016 11:11:53

That is so gross. Eating day old hamburger buns. For all he knows somebody did some gross stuff to that hamburger!

3/23/2016 19:30:51

"It wasn't a ball at all, it was a frog, and Mcnabb was on the mound cackling away, also the kid at the plate was bugeyed. He'd never, nobody ever, tried to hit a fastfrog. So what did the kid do? He bunted it.

This caption made me quiver because first of al, it was funny that a frog was suppose to be the baseball at that point. Also it's gross that the kid even picked up the frog and threw it, when a frog is sticky and gross. Throwing the frog made me shake and shiver.

Christopher Utley

3/24/2016 11:09:59

I like your comment because I did the same thing. I also liked this comment because I agree that it gross it would be very slimy and sticky.

Julianne

3/23/2016 19:33:36

"The old man stepped closer. "You got your own kind. It's how you wanted it. Let's keep it that way. NOW MOVE ON. You'r kind's waitin' "- he flung his finder westward- "up there." Suddenly Hester and Lester were by Maniac's side, barking at the man. "You leave him alone, Old Ragpicker! You shut up!"

I like this quote because it shows friendship. Hester and Lester don't care what color Maniac is, they just want to be his friend. I also thought it was funny to picture two little kids screaming insults at an old man standing on the street in his pajamas.

3/24/2016 07:31:26

Great insight! Why do Hester and Lester like Maniac so much?

3/24/2016 10:28:15

I think that Hester and Lester like Maniac because since he met them, he always treated them like family by reading books to them and played with them.

3/24/2016 10:29:40

I like how you mentioned that Hester and Lester didn't care about Maniac's color. It's heart warming, Good job.

3/24/2016 10:38:52

I like that they have friendship with Maniac. It shows that if most people are always hanging out with the same people every time you don't have to hang out with them always.

amanda

3/24/2016 10:55:06

I agree with you because I think this quote does show friendship and I love how you described that in your reasoning!

Jamie

3/23/2016 19:39:03

The next time he threw, it was right at the kid's head. The kid ducked. McNab called, "Strike one!"
Next pitch headed for the kid's belt. The kid bent his stomach around the ball. "Streee-rike two!"
Strike three took dead aim at the kids knees, and here was the kid, swooping back and at the same time swatting at the ball like a golfer teeing off. It was the craziest baseball swing you ever saw, but there was the ball smoking out the center field.
I liked this quote because the author wrote it in a lot of detail. Also I can relate to this happening. People have thrown bad pitches and without thinking I might swing at them. This quote was also good because they referred to Jeffery as "The kid" and they never gave away his name but you could tell it was Maniac.

3/23/2016 19:46:13

My favorite quote was when Mcnab was pitching and they said, "there was only one pitch he threw, fastball".
I like this quote because I am a pitcher and I only throw fastballs, so it was easy to make a connection with Mcnab.

3/24/2016 07:32:43

What tactics would you employ if you were trying to strike me out?

3/23/2016 19:54:31

"So one day he just jumped himself up onto the pew bench and threw his arms into the sky's and shouted at the top of his lungs: "Hallelujah! A-men!"
This was my favorite part because it shows how Maniac is not shy. I would never stand up and yell something out like that. Also it shows that Maniac does not get easily embarrassed. If I ever did that it would be really embarrassing for me. That's why I liked that quote.

3/24/2016 07:34:13

Nice post, Colin! What character trait describes someone who isn't shy? Some one who just doesn't care what other's think of them?

3/23/2016 19:58:52

" it wasn't a ball at all, it was a frog, and McNab was on the mound cackling away, and the kid at the plate bug-eyed. He'd never- nobody'd ever tried to hit a fastfrog before. So what did the kid do? He bunted it. He bunted the frog, laid down a perfect bunt in front of the plate, third-base, and took of for first."

I thought that this was weird, I mean really weird. Nobody in the world has even attempted to hit a frog with a bat. If you hit a frog with a bat your bat would be covered in frog guts and there would be frog guts everywhere. Also if you bunted a frog it would probably be unconscious and would not hop away. Also how was McNab able to throw the frog that fast and accurate. Throwing a frog that fast would probably be extremely hard.

James C

3/23/2016 20:50:57

That is very true Aidan. I thought that if Maniac bunted then wouldn't the frog die or be knocked out. I guess that's one strong frog.

3/24/2016 11:11:20

Maybe for you amateurs throwing a frog is hard. But not this guy. I can throw anything fast and accurate. I could even throw you.

3/23/2016 20:07:09

"Wanna bite?"
Maniac couldn't figure. "You sure?"
Maniac shrugged, took the Mars Bar, bit off a chunk, and handed it back. "Thanks"

I like this part of the book because I think it is very funny. When Mars asked Maniac if he wanted a bite of his bar he was not thinking Maniac would actually do it,but he did! I guess Maniac does not get sarcasm! Also I like this part because Maniac stood up to Mars without even knowing it.

Nina DiRusso

3/23/2016 21:10:11

I think that is great Anna! I thought that was funny too.

3/24/2016 07:36:03

Why do you think he is so oblivious to sarcasm, and to what other people think of him in general?

3/24/2016 10:41:26

I liked that part too! Good job with your reasoning as well.

3/23/2016 20:17:04

At last McNad was back on th mound, fingering the ball in his glove, a demon's gleam in his eye. He wound up, fired, the ball headed for the plate, and what's this? -a leg ball- it's got legs - long legs pinwheeling toward the plate. It wasn't a ball at all, it was a frog, and McNab was on the mound cackling away, and the kid at the plate was bug-eyed. He'd never-nobody'd ever-tried to hit a fastfrog before. So what did the kid do? He bunted it.

I liked this because I think that he was clever to bunt it. He probably didn't want to hurt the frog so he taped it off the bat an ran around the bases. I also think that it was funny when the frog hoped over McNabs food.

3/23/2016 20:28:08

I never thought of him bunting it because he didn't want to hurt the frog.

James Christian

3/23/2016 20:48:51

"He'd never- nobody ever- tried to hit a fastfrog before.
So what did the kid do? He'd bunted the frog, laid down a perfect bunt in front of the plate, third-base side and he took off for first."

This quote shows that Maniac is nice. I think so because if Maniac didn't bunt then he would most likely lay down a perfect line drive. If Maniac did that then the frog would most likely die. This is also shows that McNab has a rude sense of humor. McNab has a rude sense of humor because he threw a living animal at Maniac. McNab could have killed the frog which isn't nice. McNab was funny by having the idea of throwing the frog.

3/24/2016 07:37:18

Was it funny or rude? How would you react in real life if you were Maniac?

Panda MaN

3/24/2016 10:52:37

I think it was both Mr.Pestone. I think so because it was humorous that he through a frog instead of a baseball.
It was rude because McNab could have killed the frog.

Nina

3/23/2016 21:06:16

Next pitch headed write for the kids belt. The kid bent his stomach around the ball. "Steeee-rike two!"
Strike three took dead aim at the kids knees, and here was the kid, swooping back and at the same time swatting at the ball like a golfer teeing off.

I picked this part because I thought it was really funny. Also because I could picture exactly what they were doing. I could picture the kid swinging the bat like a maniac. And I could picture what the pitch looked like.

Amanda

3/23/2016 21:18:15

"It's got legs --- long legs pinwheeling toward the plate. It wasn't a ball at all, it was a frog, and McNab was on the mound cackling away, and the kid at the plate was bug-eyed. He’d never, nobody’d ever, tried to hit a fastfrog before.”

This is a quote from my favorite part so far. I like this part the best because it is very entertaining. It shows Maniac's character traits which are adventurous and peculiar. I can imagine being one of the players that witnessed the frog being used as a ball. I would find Maniac's creativity very entertaining and funny because a lot of the actions he makes are interesting and strange.

3/24/2016 07:39:23

This is so insightful, Amanda! I love how you went back and thought of some new character traits. We certainly are seeing Maniac evolve as a character!

3/24/2016 10:36:53

I love that part too! I thought it was so funny. Also great job with your post Amanda. :)

3/24/2016 10:40:46

I like this quote too. It was very entertaining and it was very descriptive too. This was well written

Rebecca

3/23/2016 22:11:32

"Well!" The doctor chuckled. "Can't be that. Can you imagine a youngster getting sick on pizza?"
Everybody laughed.
"Besides," said the doctor, " this would have shown up on him since he was little, most likely, every time he came near pizza." He turned to Maniac, still chuckling. "You have eaten pizza before, haven't you?"
Maniac got a funny expression on his face. He looked around. Everybody was staring at him. The silence grew longer, eyes grew wider...
And that's how they found out that Maniac Magee was allergic to pizza.

I like this part of the story because it is funny and really unexpected. I didn't think anything like this would happen. Also that is really funny that Maniac had never eaten pizza before.

3/24/2016 07:42:00

What is this pizza thing everyone has been talking about? Why does everyone like it so much? AND why is it spelled like that and pronounced a different way???

3/24/2016 10:43:04

The z sound in Italian is really the t sound in English. It also make's the t sound in the word mozzarella. Pizza is a food that everyone loves. We all love it because the cheese is gooey and delicious and the crust can be crunchy or soft.

3/24/2016 06:15:55

"It wasn't a ball at all, it was a frog, and McNab was on the mound cackling away, and the kid on the plate was bug-eyed. He never-nobody'd ever-tried to hit a fastfrog before. So what did the kid do? He bunted it.

I liked this because I play baseball and there is a picture in my mind of a scraggly kid hitting a "fastfrog" and that seems so wacky that I wouldn't know how to deal with that. This is just so funny because I can also picture the look on the frogs face as it comes into the plate with a bug-eyed batter.

3/24/2016 10:39:57

" You have eaten pizza before, haven't you?"

I like this quote for a few reasons. First I like this quote because usaully kids have pizza every Friday, and he never had pizza. Another reason I like this quote because it influences Maniacs crazy behavior. Lastly, I like this quote because they found out that Maniac was allergic to pizza.

3/24/2016 10:57:28

Ha! That chump can't eat pizza. No wonder he's so fit and can hit my fast ball. He's got nothin to eat all day and all night. That's why i'm so big and weigh 170 lbs! Wait, then why did he enter cobbles corner knot challenge? He can't even eat pizza. Pizza's my favorite food. I gotta go find him and bully him about his stupid allergy. Ha! Thanks for the information! Bye!

Aurora

3/24/2016 12:01:35

"At last McNab was on the mound, fingering the ball in his glove, a deamons gleam in his eye. He wound up, fired, the ball headded for the plate, and whats this? a leg ball? its got long legs pin wheeling toward the plate. It was a frog..."

It is so funny because he throws a frog. None has ever tried to hi a fast frog before.

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What made you quiver?

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