“Maniac,” of course, isn’t his first name--it’s actually Jeffrey. Orphaned at age three, his dreams are haunted by images of his parents plunging to their deaths from a railroad bridge. Then he spent awhile with an aunt and uncle who were not speaking to each other--each pretending the other wasn’t there--until their silence drove young Jeffrey to run for it.

Round about age 12, Jeffrey comes in for a landing in the city of Two Mills, where Hector Street is the line of demarcation between the strictly white West End and the black East End. And being the fearless, colorblind, and completely footloose child he is, Jeffrey sets both sides of Hector topsy-turvy. His exploits become the stuff of legend--on the athletic field and off. But his greatest achievement--to find a home of his own--continues to elude him.

ManiacÂ’s search for a place to belong is full of excitement, humor, and sadness. He sees people at their best on both sides of the racial divide. He also sees some people at their worst...and little by little, begins to bring out the best in them as well. Before anything changes for Maniac, he makes a difference for a lot of people. And as Spinelli points out, itÂ’s not because heÂ’s an especially good person himself. HeÂ’s simply blind to what certain things mean. And no matter who you are, you will find yourself praying that he wises the world up before the world wises him up.

This is a painful book to read at times; but it is also very satisfying, and at times breaks out into unexpected moments of poetry. I urge you to find it and read it. But brace yourself, you may get to the end of it a changed person.

Robbie Fischer
Arizona USA

Recommended Age: 10+

9/29/04

If you would like to contact Robbie, you may do so here.