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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What makes Maniac run from the graveyard?

2. Where does Maniac sleep now that it is almost June?

3. To whom are the two boys related?

4. What does Mars Bar come to ask Maniac after the trolley incident?

5. What does Maniac do as a feat with the freight train?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Maniac work so hard to get Russell and Piper to go to school?

2. Who saves Maniac from freezing to death and how do they go about it?

3. What precious gift does Grayson give to Maniac for Christmas and how does it affect Maniac?

4. How does the situation with Mars Bar climax at Piper's birthday party and how does Mars Bar deal with it all?

5. How do the McNabs show their true prejudice during Piper's birthday party?

6. Why does Maniac take Mars Bar to the Pickwells?

7. How is the race between Maniac and Mars Bar uncharacteristic of Maniac?

8. How does Mars Bar's rescue of Russell help change the prejudices of the town?

9. What comparison does Maniac make between the Pickwells and the Beales in chapter 40?

10. What heroic feats does Maniac perform for Russell and Piper?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the theme of the book concerning race? How is the theme expressed? What do the characters learn about race by the end of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

The nickname of the Maniac helps turn him into a legend. How so? Use specific examples from the novel. How is this legendary status a drawback for Maniac?

Essay Topic 3

Why is Maniac able to fit into both the black community and the white community? Since he can do this, what does he see that others who cannot fit in don't see?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,226 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample