Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Maniac Magee, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Myth, Reality, and Heroism
Racism
Love, Loss, and Home
Human Dignity, Connection, and Community
Summary
Analysis
Amanda tries to talk a sullen Maniac out of leaving the Beales. She doesn’t understand that Maniac feels hurt not primarily for himself, but for her and her family. When Maniac jogs off, she pedals her bike all over town, even crossing the river into Bridgeport, in search of him. He’s not to be found. Finally, Maniac sneaks in late that night, and Amanda snaps sarcastically at him so he won’t know how relieved she is. The next morning, after Maniac helps a little kid undo a knot in his yo-yo string, Amanda gets an idea. She thinks she has a plan to get the entire town on Maniac’s side. She tells him about Cobble’s Knot.
Amanda shows that she’s a loyal friend who accepts Maniac as part of her home and community and won’t listen to other people’s objections about him. When she notices his skill at undoing knots, she has an idea—why not transfer this ordinary knack into something more epic?
Themes
