In the book, Maniac Magee, Jerry Spinelli uses descriptive details, dialogue, actions, and thoughts, to develop a character, Amanda Beale. Spinelli made sure to put every ounce of detail there was to create this character Amanda Beale, and to imagine her as a kind and caring person. For example, when Amanda brought Maniac home, her parents decided that he was going to live with them. Amanda gave up her room for Maniac, “Amanda was happy to give up her room….” Amanda wanted Maniac to have a comfy place to sleep, and not on the couch. She almost always slept with her little brother and sister, so to her, it was no big deal. Another example that Jerry Spinelli used detail to portray Amanda Beale as a kind person is when, Maniac was playing outside
