Question

2. Why are education and communication important in Maniac Magee and The Story of My

Answer 1

Hey there!

That's an amazing question.

Below's my answer:

Let's compare and contrast these books (focusing on education and communication).

The Story of My  Life

• 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)

Maniac Magee

• 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 Maniac Magee and The Story of My Life discuss the struggles that occur when growing up (education and communication) when you are seen differently.