It was well written, but the most important part is, almost everyone in the reviews is talking about different viewpoints of "Maniac Magee".
There are a few stereotypes embedded within the story, but the way the characters interact and react with their environment is interesting.
I won't lie, the movie was absolutely similar to an "off topic post" on the internet. The CGI was terrible, seriously.
A majority of the reviews say that this was read to them by their teacher, or a parent had read this book along with their child. What I can say from this is that the teacher and others' opinions may have influenced how you viewed this very book.
(I will not lie myself, my teacher had also influenced my opinion and view about this book)
Overall, the Maniac Magee book and Movie equally good and bad.