Union Township Public Schools This information is also available on:
Summer Reading, Grade 7 www.twpunionschools.org
SUMMER READING
ENGLISH GRADE 7
Directions:
o Please read Maniac Magee.
o You may purchase your book from Here’s the Story Book Store, located in Union Center.
o You may also borrow your book from the Union Public Library.
o A Summer Reading Essay Assessment will be administered on Tuesday, September 9, 2014.
o To prepare for the summer reading assessment, complete the attached study guide.
o The study guide will not be graded; however, you will be able to use it when completing your summer reading assessment in class.
Maniac Magee
by Jerry Spinelli
Jeffery Lionel “Maniac” Magee might have lived a normal life if a trolley accident hadn’t made him an orphan. After living with his unhappy and uptight aunt and uncle for eight years, he decides to run-and not just run away, but run. This is where the myth of Maniac Magee begins, as he changes the lives of a racially divided small town with his amazing and legendary feats.
Study Guide Questions
1. How old was Maniac when he became an orphan?
______
2. How long did he live with his aunt and uncle?
______
3. Where did the running start?
______
4. Who was the first person to actually speak with Maniac?
______
5. Why does this person (from question # 4) carry all her books in a
suitcase?
______
6. What are the “Finsterwallies”?
______
7. What is the boundary between the East and West ends?
______
8. In addition to East and West, how else are the neighborhoods divided?
______
9. Who does Maniac encounter when he ran into the East End?
______
10. What is Maniac allergic to?
______
11. What was written on the side of the Beale’s house?
______
12. What is the prize for untangling Cobble’s Knot?
______
13. How long did it take Maniac to untie Cobble’s Knot?
______
14. Why would Maniac not stay at the YMCA with Grayson?
______
15. What did Maniac do with the money Grayson gives him?
______
16. What does Grayson want Maniac to do for him?
______
17. Why did Maniac paint 101 outside his door?
______
18. What was the book that Maniac gave Grayson for Christmas?
______
19. Why did Grayson leave Maniac?
______
20. What made Russell and Piper feel important?
______
21. How did Maniac create more trouble when he raced Mars Bar?
______
22. Why did Maniac get mad at Russell and Piper?
______
23. When Maniac was running, he felt like someone was following him. Who turned out to be running at the same time?
______
24. Why did Maniac not save Russell?
______
25. Where is Maniac finally able to call home?
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