Grayson is a very important character in the book. Spinelli introduces him as a scrawny, old person that has never before touched a kid(Spinelli 81). He lived in the Two Mils' YMCA, and he took Maniac to come live with him(Spinelli 84). So it's obvious that the author is trying to exsplain that Grayson might be old and look dirty, but he's really just a nice guy. Grayson was clueless when it came to black people. He didn't really understand that black people are just as much humans as white people are. Grayson asked, "Them black people, they eat mashed patatoes, too?" So clearly, Grayson didn't understand that we also eat the same things. It seemed like Grayson thought that they were aliens from another universe. This makes me laugh when I read this because his responses and reactions to Maniac's answers were kinda funny because he was just so amazed. Later, Grayson reveales that he was in the minor league for baseball. I really like this about the book because now I feel I can relate to Grayson because he's into sports and he's athletic and I feel I'm that way also. Grayson didn't know how to read, and little by little Maniac taught him and the first book Grayson read was
The Little Engine That Could(Spinelli 103). I also like this about him because many people can realate to that. Some kids can't read and maybe even some adults can't read and that is a major issue in our society today. In chapter 31, it talks about how Grayson and Maniac decorate the "Y" for Christmas. Everything was going so good. Maniac gave Grayson a book he wrote himself(Spinelli 114). Grayson gave Maniac a worn out, old glove that he use to play with, but to Maniac it was the best gift in the world( Spinelli 114). Five days later the old man dies(Spinelli 114).
