Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick Date of Publication: 2001 ISBN: 0-439-28606-9 Number of Pages: 176

REQUIRED READING ABILITY: Average Intermediate - Low/Average
GENRES: Realism
THEMES : Good versus Evil - Life versus Death - Sacrifice and Redemption - Family - Prejudice - Coming of Age

SUMMARY:
Maxwell Kane is writing a memoir of sorts. He begins by saying that he "never had a brain until Freak came along," and goes on to describe how a he met a boy named Kevin in daycare. Kevin had braces on his legs and used crutches, and Max was also very different because he was much bigger that the other kids his age. He used to kick anything around him and he adopted the nickname "Kicker." He especially liked to kick the shins and legs of people that were trying to hug him and make him feel better about the fact that his mom had died and that his dad was in prison, and that he was forced to live with his grandparents (Gram and Grim), who he affectionately refers to as "her people." As well as being very large physically, Max has a learning disability and is enrolled in LD classes, which makes him a target of teasing as well. He often refers to himself and his actions as "buttheaded."

Several years pass and Kevin and Max's paths cross again in the summer before eighth grade. Kevin and his mother Gwen are moving onto Max's street, and Max recognizes the severely handicapped and incredibly intelligent Kevin. Max helps Kevin, and they begin to play together. Soon they begin spending all their time together, and Kevin teaches Max about the Knights of the Round Table and how they went on quests. Kevin also shows Max the dictionary he uses to learn new words, which is almost completely high-lighted. During a 4th of July fireworks display at the old millpond, Max places Kevin on his shoulders to evade some bullies. From that moment, with Kevin providing the directions and Max the mobility and strength, they are known as Freak the Mighty. All summer they rescue fair maidens and slay dragons. Loretta, one of the maidens, turns out to be a friend of Kenny Kane, Max's father, who is imprisoned for murdering Max's mother.

Kenny "Killer" Kane is released on Christmas and he returns to kidnap Max. Kevin (Freak) saves the day when he alerts the police and uses a squirt gun with vinegar to temporarily blind Killer Kane long enough for Max to carry Freak the Mighty to safety. Killer Kane is later apprehended and returned to jail.

Just when things get back to normal, Kevin suffers a seizure and is rushed to the hospital. Before Kevin goes to the hospital, he gives Max a blank book and asks him to fill it up with their adventures. Kevin dies the next day and Max demands to know why. Kevin's doctor explains that no surgery was ever possible and that Kevin knew it. After many months of grieving his friend's death, Max begins to write the story of Freak the Mighty on the pages of the book Kevin had given him, bringing the reader full circle to the beginning of the book.

WHO WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK? A kid who...
- is intrigued by medieval times, knights, and quests
- is learning disabled
- struggles with bullying
- likes tear-jerker stories
- likes buddy stories
- enjoyed the movie version, The Mighty
- has a great sense of humour


WHAT ELSE?
The complicated parental relationships in the book make it a careful choice. Students who have recently lost a parent or family member, who live with grandparents, and/or who have an absent and/or questionable parental connection might be more affected by this book than others. There are also some references to Max as a "retard", and at one point Max is given the nickname of “Maxi-Pad.”
Choose carefully.

The story was adapted as a movie with Sharon Stone, entitled The Mighty.