♥Freak The Mighty is a fantastic book, besides the ending that was kid of depressing. but anyway the minute I set my eyes on the first paragraph I was like addicted to it. Anyhow, a small and very smart eighth grader named Freak (Kevin) and a rather big and not so smart eighth grader named Max (Mighty)didnt have any friends until Freak moved in the block next door to Mighty and then they both became friends. Together Freak and Mighty go on many journeys (as Freak says) and become Frweak The Mighty♥

Freak the Mighty is a tear jerking story about two total opposites that become best friends. The 2 main characters, Max and Kevin a.k.a Freak the Mighty lead amazing unpredictable lives, they went on quests and fought dragons. The book is very good, the action really ramps up toward the end leading to a sad but satisfying ending. The ending is satisfying because once you've finished the book you immediately realize that you have just read something that you will always remember as one of the best books you've read in your life. This book taught me that I must value my friends and live life to the fullest I love this story.

I've been intending to read this for a long time, ever since finding out the film was adapted from a book.

It's a first-person perspective, told by a 'slow learner' about his friendship with 'Freak' (Kevin) a ridiculously clever but physically disabled neighbour, and their imaginative adventures together, culminating in a real-life gritty climax.

It's sweet, emotional and I liked the narrator's voice, but seemed over too quickly. Maybe because I enjoyed another Philbrick recently that had a little more length to it.

This is a fantastic read about friendship and family for class reading in year 5-8, with short chapters and a wonderful duo in its two leads. Plenty of discussion to be had.

I read this with my 7th grade classroom for the fall in mind, and I think it might have distracted me from feeling as much emotion as I should have. Or maybe it was the fact I read it quickly on an airplane. I look forward to re-reading, because there is definitely something wonderful, simple, and powerful there. I honestly just felt like it was too short! Maybe if I read more slowly next time I can ponder it a bit more. I love the premise, the characters (especially Gwen, although she is just a shade of a character) and I can't wait to teach it.

It was an amazing book it had some sad parts but overall it was really good

Wholesome and enjoyable.

Philbrick, R. (1993). Freak the Mighty. New York: Scholastic.

0439286069

Bigger than anyone else his age and struggling to find his voice, Max deals with being feared by almost everyone, including his grandparents who he lives with. But once a boy, Kevin, who is dealing with his own medical condition, moves back into town, they form a strange friendship that helps both of them to rise above the world to become “Freak the Mighty.”

Freak’s quick thinking and imagination allow him and Max to deal with bullies, school lessons and even Max’s paroled father who has reentered Max’s life.

Freak the Mighty can show the power of friendship, the difficulty of making assumptions about people, and the pain of loss.

It's been my experience that every time this book is shared, a large bunch of students fall in love with this story. I always feel a little worried when students begin to recommend the book to everyone they've ever met when they're only one-third through the story, since the second half of the book takes some unexpected (although foreshadowed) turns.

A teacher could also share the movie version, The Mighty as a treat for students after they finish the book. There is also a sequel, Max the Mighty that is a natural recommendation for students who enjoyed the book.


Activities to do with the book:

Freak the Mighty is a great conversation starter for all kinds of topics: Bullying, friendship, making assumptions about people based on their appearances, the criminal justice system, truth and lies, dealing with loss, hope, and the list could go on. A teacher could lead secondary lessons on Arthurian legend, mechanical engineering, the Ice Age, etc.

Since there is a lot of potential for a reader’s perception about some of the characters could change as students read, it lends itself to discussing the book or journaling as they read. Students could also learn about memoir and write their own stories of friendships and family.

Since Freak created his own dictionary, students could follow his example and have fun defining words in ways that are relevant to them or that incorporate humor.


Favorite Quotes:

“I never had a brain until Freak came along and let me borrow his for a while, and that’s the truth, the whole truth. The unvanquished truth, is how Freak would say it, and for a long time it was him who did the talking. Except I had a way of saying things with my fists and my feet even before we became Freak the Mighty, slaying dragons and fools and walking high above the world” (p. 1).

“…It was Freak himself who taught me that remembering is a great invention of the mind, and if you try hard enough you can remember anything, whether it really happened or not” (p. 2).

“Books are like truth serum—if you don’t read, you can’t figure out what’s real” (p. 19).

“Sometimes we’re nine feet tall, and strong enough to walk through walls. Sometimes we fight gangs. Sometimes we find treasure. Sometimes we slay dragons and drink from the Holy Grail” (p. 78).

For more of my reviews, visit sjkessel.blogspot.com.

I liked this book because it had some parts that had me wanting to read more but its not really a book I would read multiple times.

This was a good book. It told a story about a weak boy named Kevin and a mighty boy named Max. In the book when they were together they mostly went by freak the mighty. The story is told by Max's point of view as you will find out. He wrote down all Kevin and his adventures. Kevin was a small 12 year old boy who was very weak and was not expected to live a very long life. Max on the other hand was strong and mighty like his father. Max lives with his grandparents and Freak lives with his mom.
On Freak's 13th birthday something terrible happens. Everybody is worried dan dressing around. "Call 911" says grim. What is going to happen ? Will it effect the lives of more than one? Read the book to find out.

I teach Junior high (7th/8th grade) literature and this is my first review of a book that I utilize in my classroom. I think it is a remarkable example of literary workmanship. I'd estimate that I've read it aloud to my students some 40 to 50 times now..(two/three times a year for 18 years)...and yet I still find new aspects to savor everytime I immerse myself in the journey that begins with:"I never had a brain until Freak came along and let me borrow his for a while and that's the truth, the whole truth. The unvanquished truth...."

This book is my sure fire,reel 'em in, can't lose, heart ripping, rollicking, tear jerking, laugh provoking, page turning miracle of a book that has always worked in my classroom. When I'm reading this to and with my class,the kids are right there with me, eyes on the page, totally absorbed in the text. I've never had a kid say he/she didn't like it/love it (some 1500 hard to impress, hard to hook, and, for the most part, struggling, reluctant readers over the course of my tenure here at Richgrove Junior High). Thank you Rodman Philbrick!!! I only wish you could see,hear,and feel the intense emotional atmosphere in my classroom as I read the section wherein Max screams out his pent up rage and agony...opening the door to his repressed chidhood nightmare and confronting the evil that "Preacher" Killer Kane has wrought in his life.You could,quite literally, hear a pin drop in my room at this moment....I always pause at the line where the light is fading from ghost/mother's eyes. Truly dramatic...not melodramatic as one reviewer suggested.

Yes, there is much palpable darkness in this book...but there is compensation in in the exqusite light that emmanates from these pages, too. A beautifully wrought dance of darkness and light.

Wisdom abounds in passages like these:

"Pain is just a state of mind. You can think your way out of everything, even pain."

“...remembering is a great invention of the mind, and if you try hard enough you can remember anything, whether it really happened or not.”

“You don't need a time machine if you know how to remember.”


"...I also read tons of books so I can figure out what's true and what's fake, which isn't always easy. Books are like truth serum--if you don't read, you can't figure out what's real.”

"Life is dangerous" ....

The characterization in this novel is impeccabble and brilliant...the thematic content is deep and rich, the plot intriguing...foreshadowing and flashback are abundant but not overbearing,philbrick's diction is perfectly in tune with the characters.The book can serve a biblio-therapeutic role too. Can you tell how much I've come to treasure this little novel "for Kids" ?
I could go on....and on. I won't.
I'll just continue to look forward to teaching it to my students each year...for as long as i continue to teach....maybe another 50 times????

I loved all of the events as well as the suspension with each chapter. I made me want to keep reading and I definitely could picture each event in my mind.

Oh my gosh! This book! I loved the way the author got you sucked into it. Engaging with the smarts of Freak and the evolution of Max and Freak the Mighty. My heart was pulled into it. THE ENDING!!! I literally almost cried (and I have NEVER EVER cried because of a book)... the reason I took away a star is that honestly, the beginning was really boring. But, other than that I TOTALLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO YOU!