Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

Where might authors draw inspiration for writing novels? What are some of the challenges authors may face when writing a novel?

Teaching Suggestion: Jerry Spinelli, the author of Maniac Magee, drew inspiration from his own experiences growing up in Norristown, Pennsylvania, which he used as inspiration for the fictional town of Two Mills. Spinelli recalls clear racial divisions in his community of Norristown. Jeffrey Lionel “Maniac” Magee, the novel’s protagonist, is an orphan who navigates the racial divisions in Two Mills while inspiring the city with his legendary qualities. It might be helpful to provide students with a brief overview of the novel prior to reading Jerry Spinelli’s reflection on it. Students might prepare a simple T-chart in their notes to compare Spinelli’s personal experiences in childhood with Maniac’s experiences as they read the novel.

• This article describes Jerry Spinelli’s connection to Maniac Magee and explains why the book is still relevant today.
• This brief article provides descriptions and historical facts about Norristown, Pennsylvania, the author’s inspiration for Two Mills, the setting of the novel.