Let's compare and contrast these books (focusing on education and communication).
<u>The Story of My Life</u>
Written by Hellen Keller
Author discusses her many constraints in growing up
Education was available, but, until she learned Braille, life was hard
She found it hard to communicate
1st person autobiography
Describes how her life was changed with Anne Sullivan
Has extraordinary language (high-leveled)
<u>Maniac Magee</u>
Written by Jerry Spinelli
Talks about an White orphan who runs away to a small town in Pennsylvania, Two Mills
Education was there, Grayson offered, Maniac refused (he was the only White)
Is shy
Describes how Maniac's life was changed when he went to Two Mills (Mars Bar, Amanda Beale, et cetera)
Uses slang to convey tone, mood, and theme
Looking at the above points, we can presume that both <u>Maniac Magee</u> and <u>The Story of My Life</u> discuss the struggles that occur when growing up (education and communication) when you are seen differently.
