1. Jeffrey Lionel “Maniac” Magee Why is he so cool? Why doesn’t he go to school? What are the circumstances in which Maniac runs? What is his relationship with a buffalo? Would you want Maniac as a friend? They why’s and why nots? Jeffrey Lionel “Maniac” Magee Why is he so cool? Why doesn’t he go to school? What are the circumstances in which Maniac runs? What is his relationship with a buffalo? Would you want Maniac as a friend? They why’s and why nots?

2. Earl Grayson What was Grayson’ claim to fame and what was the history of that? Maniac was an orphan, but Grayson shows him that there is more than one way to be abandoned. Explain. Grayson offers Maniac a home and he is like a father. How does he do this? Would you want Grayson as your pseudo father, if you needed one? The whys and why nots? Earl Grayson What was Grayson’ claim to fame and what was the history of that? Maniac was an orphan, but Grayson shows him that there is more than one way to be abandoned. Explain. Grayson offers Maniac a home and he is like a father. How does he do this? Would you want Grayson as your pseudo father, if you needed one? The whys and why nots?

3. Amanda Beale What does Amanda do that shows she will not give up on Maniac? Why does she have Maniac try to untie Cobble’s knot? Why do you think that Amanda carries around those books? I mean, really, why? What shows you that Amanda is a determined person when she goes to the buffalo pin? Would you want Amanda for your friend? The whys and why nots? Amanda Beale What does Amanda do that shows she will not give up on Maniac? Why does she have Maniac try to untie Cobble’s knot? Why do you think that Amanda carries around those books? I mean, really, why? What shows you that Amanda is a determined person when she goes to the buffalo pin? Would you want Amanda for your friend? The whys and why nots?

4. Mars Bar Thompson Why is Mars Bar so bad he’s good? It's not just the candy bar. It's the attitude, the shuffle, and the nickname. Like Maniac, Mars is a legend in his own right. For Pete's sake, he can stop traffic! On both sides of town! Why is Mars Bar also a legend? Why does Maniac threaten Mars Bar? Snickers has a heart. Is it the soft creamy caramel? Why is Mars Bar a Mars Bar? If you named Maniac a candy bar, what would it be and why? Would you want Mars Bar as your friend? Whys and why nots? Mars Bar Thompson Why is Mars Bar so bad he’s good? It's not just the candy bar. It's the attitude, the shuffle, and the nickname. Like Maniac, Mars is a legend in his own right. For Pete's sake, he can stop traffic! On both sides of town! Why is Mars Bar also a legend? Why does Maniac threaten Mars Bar? Snickers has a heart. Is it the soft creamy caramel? Why is Mars Bar a Mars Bar? If you named Maniac a candy bar, what would it be and why? Would you want Mars Bar as your friend? Whys and why nots?

5. John McNab Why is John McNab intimidating? Why do you think John starts a gang? Who needs a family more, John or Maniac? What makes you think as you do? If Maniac weren't good at heart, he could easily become someone just like Giant John. Why don’t we think he will? Would you like for John to be your friend? Why’s and why nots? John McNab Why is John McNab intimidating? Why do you think John starts a gang? Who needs a family more, John or Maniac? What makes you think as you do? If Maniac weren't good at heart, he could easily become someone just like Giant John. Why don’t we think he will? Would you like for John to be your friend? Why’s and why nots?

6. Piper and Russell McNab Notice that Russell and Piper are basically inseparable? This is true for much of the time we know them. Maybe this is what actually gives them a chance. Unlike their big bro who has really had to find his own way, Russell and Piper have built-in support. Do you think this helps them? What do you think Piper and Russell’s future is like? Do you think they have more or less of a chance than Big John? Why? For the McNabs, there was nothing free about public education. A tuition had to be paid. Every week Maniac paid it. How is this done? Will Piper and Russell continue to go to school? Would you help Piper and Russell? Why and why not? Piper and Russell McNab Notice that Russell and Piper are basically inseparable? This is true for much of the time we know them. Maybe this is what actually gives them a chance. Unlike their big bro who has really had to find his own way, Russell and Piper have built-in support. Do you think this helps them? What do you think Piper and Russell’s future is like? Do you think they have more or less of a chance than Big John? Why? For the McNabs, there was nothing free about public education. A tuition had to be paid. Every week Maniac paid it. How is this done? Will Piper and Russell continue to go to school? Would you help Piper and Russell? Why and why not?

7. Hester and Lester Beale Are Hester and Lester better children than Piper and Russell? Which pair of children have a better chance at a decent future? What makes you think as you do? Hester and Lester don't give Maniac a choice as to whether or not he wants to be a part of their family: they shower him with love from the very beginning and make it easy for him to do the same back. So why does he leave them? Would you held Hester and Lester? Why or why not? Hester and Lester Beale Are Hester and Lester better children than Piper and Russell? Which pair of children have a better chance at a decent future? What makes you think as you do? Hester and Lester don't give Maniac a choice as to whether or not he wants to be a part of their family: they shower him with love from the very beginning and make it easy for him to do the same back. So why does he leave them? Would you held Hester and Lester? Why or why not?

8. Mrs. Beale A real mom will let you know when you've messed up. A real parent will teach you what's right, and teach you what's wrong, and keep you on the right path. And they will always, always love you. Is Mrs. Beale a “real” mom to Maniac? Give evidence to support this. After leaving the Beales, Maniac faces some tough obstacles. He even seems pretty close to giving up: "Knowing it would not be fast or easy, and wanting, deserving nothing less, grimly, patiently, he waited for death" What will he remember to keep his heart warm and soft? Why will he remember this? Would you have left the Beale’s house? Why and why not? Mrs. Beale A real mom will let you know when you've messed up. A real parent will teach you what's right, and teach you what's wrong, and keep you on the right path. And they will always, always love you. Is Mrs. Beale a “real” mom to Maniac? Give evidence to support this. After leaving the Beales, Maniac faces some tough obstacles. He even seems pretty close to giving up: "Knowing it would not be fast or easy, and wanting, deserving nothing less, grimly, patiently, he waited for death" What will he remember to keep his heart warm and soft? Why will he remember this? Would you have left the Beale’s house? Why and why not?

9. Uncle Dan and Aunt Dot Uncle Dan and Aunt Dot don't get a lot of time in Maniac, but we feel their effect through the whole book. Why is this? What was life like at Maniac’s aunt and uncle’s house? Is the expression, “A House IS Not a Home” a good one for Maniac’s situations in this book? What makes you feel this way? Did Uncle Dan and Aunt Dot provide for Maniac’s material needs? Explain. Are material needs enough? What situation in the story shows you that this is not true for Maniac? Uncle Dan and Aunt Dot Uncle Dan and Aunt Dot don't get a lot of time in Maniac, but we feel their effect through the whole book. Why is this? What was life like at Maniac’s aunt and uncle’s house? Is the expression, “A House IS Not a Home” a good one for Maniac’s situations in this book? What makes you feel this way? Did Uncle Dan and Aunt Dot provide for Maniac’s material needs? Explain. Are material needs enough? What situation in the story shows you that this is not true for Maniac?

10. East Enders: What does the old man make Maniac aware of? How does he do this? Is this man important to the story? Does Maniac learn something he needs to know from him? How is the East End Lady a good Samaritan? What does the east end lady mean by this quote: "A little of the glare lingered in her eyes. 'You better get on, boy, where you belong. I can't be following you around. I got things to do.'“ Do you like the east end man? Why or why not? How about the lady? Why or why not? East Enders: What does the old man make Maniac aware of? How does he do this? Is this man important to the story? Does Maniac learn something he needs to know from him? How is the East End Lady a good Samaritan? What does the east end lady mean by this quote: "A little of the glare lingered in her eyes. 'You better get on, boy, where you belong. I can't be following you around. I got things to do.'“ Do you like the east end man? Why or why not? How about the lady? Why or why not?

11. The West Enders: How do the Pickwells form Maniac's West End example of what a family should look like: big, boisterous, and accepting. Papa McNab is mean, drunk, violent, a bad father, and a racist. He's also a good reminder to Maniac that living with family members is not the same as having a family. What evidence supports these opinions? Will Papa McNab’s children turn out to be like him or will they be different? Why do you think as you do? The West Enders: How do the Pickwells form Maniac's West End example of what a family should look like: big, boisterous, and accepting. Papa McNab is mean, drunk, violent, a bad father, and a racist. He's also a good reminder to Maniac that living with family members is not the same as having a family. What evidence supports these opinions? Will Papa McNab’s children turn out to be like him or will they be different? Why do you think as you do?