Remember this book? Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli!

In English class, Veronica compared the first few pages of Stargirl to the first few pages of Maniac Magee, both by Jerry Spinelli. Which was more intriguing, mysterious? Which pages made you want to continue reading the most and why? I like how Veronica commented on the author's writing style and use of punctuation as she supported her idea. 

Maniac Magee Paragraph
By Veronica


Maniac Magee is more interesting in the beginning because it begins immediately with a mystery, and several things you have to figure out. His parents died in a street trolley and people immediately started making up rumors. In Stargirl, the only thing that catches you in the beginning is the question, “Who gave Leo the tie?” In Maniac Magee you wonder about his parents and you want to know more about him. “And he had regular parents, a mother and a father. But not for long.” (p. 1) Immediately you want to know what happened to his parents, and to him after they died. In think it started off a lot more interesting because of the punctuation he used to. “And just like that. Maniac was an orphan. He was three years old.” (p.1) The short choppy sentences make it more dramatic and effective. I like Maniac Magee’s beginning better because of the big mystery element in it.