Book: Rodman Philbrick. Freak the Mighty. New York City: Blue Sky Press, 1993.
Awards: Judy Lopez Honor Book
ALA Best Books for Young Adults
ALA Recommended Books for Reluctant Readers
California Young Readers Medal Winner
Arizona Young Readers Medal Winner
Maryland Middle School Book Award
Nebraska Golden Sower Award
New York 'Charlotte's Web' Award.
Wyoming 'Soaring Eagle Book Award
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Summary: This novel takes readers through a year in the life of Kevin and Max who together become Freak the Mighty. We see the two boys meet and follow their summertime adventures. They eventually go back to school then tragedy strikes. This story is all about the boys trying to find their way on their own as the inseparable Freak the Mighty cannot last forever.
Audience: Once again this novel could be used for a wide variety of ages. It could be used in anywhere from fourth to eight grade classrooms. Kids of all ages would enjoy this fun story about two best friends.
Themes: One of the major themes throughout the novel is that of appearance. Both boys struggle with the way they appear to other people. They are both obviously different and have to find ways to attempt to fit in. When they become friends, each helps the other to achieve the overall goal of fitting in. What one lacks, the other makes up for.
Another theme found in the book is that of friendship. Neither Max nor Kevin were used to having friends before they met each other. Once they agreed to be friends, their friendship becomes one of the most important aspect of their lives. Both of their lives begin to improve once they become friends. This helps the boys see the importance of having someone there to lean on!
Evidence: “I never had a brain until Freak came along and let me borrow his for awhile, and that’s the truth, the whole truth” Page 1. I like this quote because right away it shows readers the importance of his friend in his life. He believes that until Freak showed up, he was not very smart. We see a lack of self esteem until Freak is introduced.
“Everybody needs something to hope for” Page 157. I absolutely love this quote. I am a big fan of hope and to see this pop up in a young adult book made me extremely happy. It is so true! Everyone needs something to hope for; something to drive them one day to the next. I found it wonderful that these boys able to see the importance of this.
Connections: This book could easily be used to talk about disabilities others may have. Students may be interested in what exactly was going on with the boys. Oftentimes disabilities and differences intrigue students and this book would be a perfect way to cautiously introduce these differences.
Reactions: Overall, I thought this was a cute book. I loved the use of language (even if the words and meanings were made up!). I found it to be a quick read and something students would enjoy reading. There are many teaching lessons that could be pulled from this book, as stated above. I really believe the friendship these two boys have would interest many students!
Reception: “I absolutely loved this story. It has great messages for readers of all ages. It deals with a lot of issues, such as friendship, myth and reality, death, and disabilities.” Review 1.
“Rodman Philbrick's ability to write interesting literature that appeals to young readers (especially teens) comes in handy with "Freak the Mighty." This rather poignant and affecting novel follows the unlikely "Odd Couple"-like friendship between Max--who lives with his grandparents, and is an enormous eighth grader on the slow side, yet has plenty of common sense, surrounded by his father's reputation as a convicted killer--and Kevin, dubbed "Freak"--a 13 year old genius plagued with a birth defect that keeps him the size of a six year old.” Review 2.
Hyperlinks: Rodman Philbrick
The Mighty
Awards: Judy Lopez Honor Book
ALA Best Books for Young Adults
ALA Recommended Books for Reluctant Readers
California Young Readers Medal Winner
Arizona Young Readers Medal Winner
Maryland Middle School Book Award
Nebraska Golden Sower Award
New York 'Charlotte's Web' Award.
Wyoming 'Soaring Eagle Book Award
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Summary: This novel takes readers through a year in the life of Kevin and Max who together become Freak the Mighty. We see the two boys meet and follow their summertime adventures. They eventually go back to school then tragedy strikes. This story is all about the boys trying to find their way on their own as the inseparable Freak the Mighty cannot last forever.
Audience: Once again this novel could be used for a wide variety of ages. It could be used in anywhere from fourth to eight grade classrooms. Kids of all ages would enjoy this fun story about two best friends.
Themes: One of the major themes throughout the novel is that of appearance. Both boys struggle with the way they appear to other people. They are both obviously different and have to find ways to attempt to fit in. When they become friends, each helps the other to achieve the overall goal of fitting in. What one lacks, the other makes up for.
Another theme found in the book is that of friendship. Neither Max nor Kevin were used to having friends before they met each other. Once they agreed to be friends, their friendship becomes one of the most important aspect of their lives. Both of their lives begin to improve once they become friends. This helps the boys see the importance of having someone there to lean on!
Evidence: “I never had a brain until Freak came along and let me borrow his for awhile, and that’s the truth, the whole truth” Page 1. I like this quote because right away it shows readers the importance of his friend in his life. He believes that until Freak showed up, he was not very smart. We see a lack of self esteem until Freak is introduced.
“Everybody needs something to hope for” Page 157. I absolutely love this quote. I am a big fan of hope and to see this pop up in a young adult book made me extremely happy. It is so true! Everyone needs something to hope for; something to drive them one day to the next. I found it wonderful that these boys able to see the importance of this.
Connections: This book could easily be used to talk about disabilities others may have. Students may be interested in what exactly was going on with the boys. Oftentimes disabilities and differences intrigue students and this book would be a perfect way to cautiously introduce these differences.
Reactions: Overall, I thought this was a cute book. I loved the use of language (even if the words and meanings were made up!). I found it to be a quick read and something students would enjoy reading. There are many teaching lessons that could be pulled from this book, as stated above. I really believe the friendship these two boys have would interest many students!
Reception: “I absolutely loved this story. It has great messages for readers of all ages. It deals with a lot of issues, such as friendship, myth and reality, death, and disabilities.” Review 1.
“Rodman Philbrick's ability to write interesting literature that appeals to young readers (especially teens) comes in handy with "Freak the Mighty." This rather poignant and affecting novel follows the unlikely "Odd Couple"-like friendship between Max--who lives with his grandparents, and is an enormous eighth grader on the slow side, yet has plenty of common sense, surrounded by his father's reputation as a convicted killer--and Kevin, dubbed "Freak"--a 13 year old genius plagued with a birth defect that keeps him the size of a six year old.” Review 2.
Hyperlinks: Rodman Philbrick
The Mighty