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Freak
For Miriam Fisher, a budding poet who reads the Oxford English Dictionary for fun, seventh grade is a year etched in her memory "clear as pain." That's the year her older sister, Deborah, once her best buddy and fellow "alien," bloomed like a beautiful flower and joined the high school in-crowd. That's the year high school senior Artie Rosenberg, the "hottest guy in the drama club" and, Miriam thinks, her soul mate, comes to live with Miriam's family. And that's the year the popular "watermelon girls" turn up the heat in their cruel harassment of Miriam--ripping her life wide open in shocking, unexpected ways. Teased and taunted in school, Miriam is pushed toward breaking, until, in a gripping climax, she finds the inner strength to prove she's a force to be reckoned with.
This riveting first novel introduces readers to an unforgettable heroine, an outsider who dares to confront the rigid conformity of junior high, and in the process manages not only to save herself but to inspire and transform others.
This riveting first novel introduces readers to an unforgettable heroine, an outsider who dares to confront the rigid conformity of junior high, and in the process manages not only to save herself but to inspire and transform others.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published September 18, 2007
21 people are currently reading
509 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
January 19, 2010
I seriously laughed out loud while reading this book.
None of that happens, EVER. In seventh grade? Yeah, for shit. No sophmore guy would ever do stuff with some skinny ass seventh grader.
And the fact that she describes people as being pretty because they have 'boobs'.
No girl, ever, that I know of at least, sees a girl and says, hey she's gorgeous. I mean, look at those tits.
No. You look at their face.
And the thing is, that guy that she loves? Whatever his name is, i can't remember it. But it's so stupid. It's hysterical. And so, SO unrealistic. A mother telling you you're ugly? A 12 year old, happy to shave off her head?
This is what annoys me. She says all this stuff, and she talks about pointless stuff for no reason, and she knows people don't like her.
SO THEN WHY DOES SHE KEEP TALKING.
This is what bugs me about people.
She's like this, and then she's confused when people make fun of her.
So unrealistic. It reminded me of some grandmother trying to relate to a teenager but being completely off.
The ending sucked.
That's all.
None of that happens, EVER. In seventh grade? Yeah, for shit. No sophmore guy would ever do stuff with some skinny ass seventh grader.
And the fact that she describes people as being pretty because they have 'boobs'.
No girl, ever, that I know of at least, sees a girl and says, hey she's gorgeous. I mean, look at those tits.
No. You look at their face.
And the thing is, that guy that she loves? Whatever his name is, i can't remember it. But it's so stupid. It's hysterical. And so, SO unrealistic. A mother telling you you're ugly? A 12 year old, happy to shave off her head?
This is what annoys me. She says all this stuff, and she talks about pointless stuff for no reason, and she knows people don't like her.
SO THEN WHY DOES SHE KEEP TALKING.
This is what bugs me about people.
She's like this, and then she's confused when people make fun of her.
So unrealistic. It reminded me of some grandmother trying to relate to a teenager but being completely off.
The ending sucked.
That's all.
July 24, 2014
I am a little surprised at some of the people saying stuff like this doesn't happen in grade seven and that students don't think other students are beautiful because of breast size. That stuff totally happens! Why else would girls wear clothing that accentuates their feminine wares? This kind of teasing and bullying is very realistic. Miriam's day dreaming about an older boy is also written honestly. Actually, thinking on it now, my husband is six years older than me, so we could have been Miriam and Artie (he also wouldn't have wanted me back then).
As for those think the popular kids should have had redeeming qualities. This book is written thru Mariam's perspective, even including her poetry, obviously we don't see the POVs of the popular kids. They have no good qualities because they don't show them to their victim. Near the end of the book the reader can infer why Jenny is the way she is and at the end of the book we understand even more and she does begin to make amends.
I think this book is a very honest and realistic story of one twelve year-old's experience.
As for those think the popular kids should have had redeeming qualities. This book is written thru Mariam's perspective, even including her poetry, obviously we don't see the POVs of the popular kids. They have no good qualities because they don't show them to their victim. Near the end of the book the reader can infer why Jenny is the way she is and at the end of the book we understand even more and she does begin to make amends.
I think this book is a very honest and realistic story of one twelve year-old's experience.
November 22, 2015
I loved this book because, crazy though it may sound, I can totally relate to Miriam. I understand how it feels to have people especially family members, you used to be close to just not want you anymore. I understand how it feels to be the kid who everyone just loves to hate. And I see myself in Miriam because at times she was ready to give in and to be just like everyone else but then she remained true other self after all.
The character of Miriam is both unique and engaging. Speaking for myself, I thought it was nice to see such a wack- a-doodle girl in middle school, especially one as harsh as hers. At times it was hard to read the parts about her and Artie or her and Jenny because she would make such a fool of herself. I know that if I were trying to impress a guy I would've been a lot more subtle about it. I also know that if anyone had decided to look down my short the way Jenny did to Miriam, I wouldn't have sat there and let her do it!
I found Deborah to be annoyingly unoriginal compared to her little sister. Deborah is the type of girl whose life revolves around two things; looking pretty and being popular. The saddest thing is she threw her life away just to be popular and pretty. Artie is an asswipe of the first order, no questions asked. I couldn't believe his nerve when he went up to Miriam all buddy buddy after he spent an entire party bashing her. He too is someone who threw away his originality for popularity. Mrs. Fisher is too wrapped up in herself to give a crap that her daughter is being bullied and she doesn't help by saying that she may not be pretty but she sure is smart. Mr. Fisher just doesn't want to see what he doesn't want to see.
A lot of people are saying that the bullying is too far fetched. Having been a victim of vicious harassment myself, I can a hundred percent state that the bullying Miriam faced was very realistic. I've had kids gang up on me the way they did with Miriam just because she was there. Just because they needed something to pick on and I was a viable target. I know kids who have been in the same level of harassment as Miriam if not worse. Personally, I think if the bullying was unrealistic to you your probably not all that in touch with middle school social issues or your lucky enough to not have to deal with that type of thing.
Ms. Pixley did an amazing job of closing out the book. The reader knows that Miriam managed to survive a particularly painful experience and has a hopeful future ahead.
I hope that she will write a book maybe from Jenny's perspective because it would be interesting to see her logic.
The character of Miriam is both unique and engaging. Speaking for myself, I thought it was nice to see such a wack- a-doodle girl in middle school, especially one as harsh as hers. At times it was hard to read the parts about her and Artie or her and Jenny because she would make such a fool of herself. I know that if I were trying to impress a guy I would've been a lot more subtle about it. I also know that if anyone had decided to look down my short the way Jenny did to Miriam, I wouldn't have sat there and let her do it!
I found Deborah to be annoyingly unoriginal compared to her little sister. Deborah is the type of girl whose life revolves around two things; looking pretty and being popular. The saddest thing is she threw her life away just to be popular and pretty. Artie is an asswipe of the first order, no questions asked. I couldn't believe his nerve when he went up to Miriam all buddy buddy after he spent an entire party bashing her. He too is someone who threw away his originality for popularity. Mrs. Fisher is too wrapped up in herself to give a crap that her daughter is being bullied and she doesn't help by saying that she may not be pretty but she sure is smart. Mr. Fisher just doesn't want to see what he doesn't want to see.
A lot of people are saying that the bullying is too far fetched. Having been a victim of vicious harassment myself, I can a hundred percent state that the bullying Miriam faced was very realistic. I've had kids gang up on me the way they did with Miriam just because she was there. Just because they needed something to pick on and I was a viable target. I know kids who have been in the same level of harassment as Miriam if not worse. Personally, I think if the bullying was unrealistic to you your probably not all that in touch with middle school social issues or your lucky enough to not have to deal with that type of thing.
Ms. Pixley did an amazing job of closing out the book. The reader knows that Miriam managed to survive a particularly painful experience and has a hopeful future ahead.
I hope that she will write a book maybe from Jenny's perspective because it would be interesting to see her logic.
September 6, 2008
My teacher wrote that book!!! i Feel like a proud mama! LOL just kidding
June 17, 2014
There are so many things right about this book, but so many things wrong too.
I'm not sure I should like this book, because it pulls out all these feelings and memories that I don't like. And from the other reviews I've read on GR about this book, I see other people don't like it, mainly because it was unrealistic? Well that is definitely not my case. It was very real...and surreal all at once.
I saw myself in Miriam - I was a freak in other ways. I wasn't quirky or talkative. I was rather the opposite. I was fortunate enough to never experience bullying at school as detailed in the book, but it doesn't mean I didn't understand, or that I've never been bullied. All the emotions Miriam felt, I felt too.
When she cut her hair, I could feel it. I could feel the manifestation of her desperation, the unconscious thought of becoming what they said you were. The hopelessness, the isolation and sadness - it was all so nostalgic.
I found it hard to read at times. The writing was a little bit awkward, a little rough, but what disturbed me the most is the brushing over on the sex. For a book that is only 130 pages, I felt like this wasn't adequate enough to expand on all the themes and issues represented. I know the book is about bullying, but the author could have gone further into family, friends and even other aspects. Yes, good on Miriam that she found a way out of the deep, dark pit that was from bullying, but what about her relationship with her mother, with her sister and with other people? I don't like how it left things on such a weird note.
A mother who spent her days staring at a painting, looking ever other ways, and her sister, we never really see any consolation of her nastiness towards Miriam. Or the very disturbing and annoying love triangle, the unrequited love that makes me bubble with frustration - A few too many unanswered questions.
But I guess this book left on a uplifting note that Miriam made her way out, that she faced one of her many troubles (albeit in a wrong way, going all supernova when the cup is full to the brim is not very healthy), and that because she got over this ginormous mountain, she's back to fight another day.
I guess that's really all people need to remember: one step at a time.
If you're still surviving, one day at a time, you're still surviving. And if you're still you through it all, kudos to you.
I'm not sure I should like this book, because it pulls out all these feelings and memories that I don't like. And from the other reviews I've read on GR about this book, I see other people don't like it, mainly because it was unrealistic? Well that is definitely not my case. It was very real...and surreal all at once.
I saw myself in Miriam - I was a freak in other ways. I wasn't quirky or talkative. I was rather the opposite. I was fortunate enough to never experience bullying at school as detailed in the book, but it doesn't mean I didn't understand, or that I've never been bullied. All the emotions Miriam felt, I felt too.
When she cut her hair, I could feel it. I could feel the manifestation of her desperation, the unconscious thought of becoming what they said you were. The hopelessness, the isolation and sadness - it was all so nostalgic.
I found it hard to read at times. The writing was a little bit awkward, a little rough, but what disturbed me the most is the brushing over on the sex. For a book that is only 130 pages, I felt like this wasn't adequate enough to expand on all the themes and issues represented. I know the book is about bullying, but the author could have gone further into family, friends and even other aspects. Yes, good on Miriam that she found a way out of the deep, dark pit that was from bullying, but what about her relationship with her mother, with her sister and with other people? I don't like how it left things on such a weird note.
A mother who spent her days staring at a painting, looking ever other ways, and her sister, we never really see any consolation of her nastiness towards Miriam. Or the very disturbing and annoying love triangle, the unrequited love that makes me bubble with frustration - A few too many unanswered questions.
But I guess this book left on a uplifting note that Miriam made her way out, that she faced one of her many troubles (albeit in a wrong way, going all supernova when the cup is full to the brim is not very healthy), and that because she got over this ginormous mountain, she's back to fight another day.
I guess that's really all people need to remember: one step at a time.
If you're still surviving, one day at a time, you're still surviving. And if you're still you through it all, kudos to you.
March 23, 2023
Jenny redemption arc when
August 1, 2018
At first, i thought this book would end up being a 2 or 3 star rating, but I was captivated by the ending. Most endings in books, i feel like, are all very similar. Everything ends up perfect and fine, but this wasn't like that. Yes, it ended on a good note, but you know that not everything is solved. Miriam will still be bullied. Jenny will still be lonely. That's what makes it so real though. There were some things in this book that I disliked, but I'll always remember the ending.
December 2, 2020
It was a very lovely read. Reading her thoughts and how they worked were so interesting to me, it was like seeing someones thoughts like movie.
In the climax of the story with Miriam fighting Jenny was almost predictable but still surprising in a way. In the end on the roof how jenny apologized she didn't use words to say sorry it was her action that told Miriam sorry which i found very interesting.
In the climax of the story with Miriam fighting Jenny was almost predictable but still surprising in a way. In the end on the roof how jenny apologized she didn't use words to say sorry it was her action that told Miriam sorry which i found very interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2018
Super cute story about a girl that doesn't fit in.
November 8, 2022
short and sweet. would recommend to younger audience. although it does have some sexual innuendo, so the intended audience is probably for young teens.
June 22, 2009
THe main character has issues that she really needs to talk about. SHe is kind of weird. She is not one of the people who I would talk to. I can see he other side, the people that hate her. THey think she is amusing. She needs to protect herself. Not wait until she gets suspended. I don't know. THis author had issues when she was a chold, and they ame through to strong. SHow both sides. Son't just condemn the popular kids. In this book, there is never the nice popular kid, they are always mean. THat is not the way it is in real life. There is always the nice one. Plus, Miriam always puts herself out there to be hurt. She tries to get with a senior. She also needs better personal hygeine.
December 31, 2007
Better than expected portrayal of a sensitive girl who's bullied by the popular (watermelon-scented) clique of girls in 7th grade. The better than expected part was the ending--how she ultimately deals with the problems all on her own, not relying on parents (clueless), teachers, the sister she used to be close to, the boy she has a crush on, or her best friend. She takes action based on her own inner strength and moral compass.
August 22, 2010
This was written by a colleague of mine, the 8the grade language arts teacher in my school. The book is delightfully written with great language and visuals. It is, and you may consider this unfortunate if you have lived through it, a perfect example of bullying in middle school and how one girl is coping with it. A very quick (less than 3 hour) read that gives you a good, yet bitter look into the life of the 'freaks' of school. Of course, for me, that wasn't a very hard leap!
October 21, 2013
A compact story in a finely crafted emotional world. The heroine has a good amount of self-awareness and understanding, and she just happens to be at an age where it is difficult to assert herself within the constraints that adults have created for her. "Why," she asks, "would God make adults if none of them ever notice when something is going wrong?" This story would have appeal for "older adults" as well as "young adults."
August 21, 2017
Some readers have expressed disbelief that this level of bullying takes place in this age group. As a girl who was severely bullied by another girl and her friends at this age I can attest that it indeed does! It took me until adulthood to realize that my bully was being abused at home at the same time... My bulky got bored and turned to abusing alcohol and drugs . These are real things that happen to real kids. I thought this story handled it really well.
Want to read
March 26, 2008Recommended at the March WASHYARG meeting. Bullying story with a great ending.
March 7, 2022
I personally didn't like this book at all and I don't think the book was for me . The book is about a 7th girls life and I do not agree with how the book is set up and do not think that it is realistic for a 7th grader to have a life like this. The book is about her point of views and how she sees the world but she also has a lot of drama with other girls her age and becomes very jealous over tiny things . But if your interested in a book with a lot of drama it would be a good fit for you the book also tells more about her home life and how she struggles to keep her grades up with a recently divorced parents.
June 27, 2017
Every middle school and high school student should take the time to read this story of Miriam Fisher. Some readers may relate to her, and some may read to prevent her situation. Marcella Pixley writes "Freak" in a way that it feels as though the reader is close to Miriam, a quirky young girl who has a major crush on her older sister's boyfriend, Artie. Miriam and her school life is an emotional roller coaster. It'll make you want to cry, become frustrated, and will make you wish you could climb into the book to give her a hug! Great short read.
April 28, 2017
I really like this story and the aspect of a weird girl in somewhere that's not her world. I feeling like one of the reasons I really like this story was because MIriam is so relateable since she's 7th grade and in her middle school years. I hontesly feel like all the people in the story were real and felt like humans. It almost felt like a memoiar to me,plus the writing was so beautiful. I feel like reading it again, I should do that.
November 8, 2017
this book was incredible! I found it easy to relate to miriam's feeling of isolation, and I think anyone going through bullying should read this. I can see a lot of the comments say that they didn't like the book because, it was "unrealistic." It may seem unrealistic to you if you've never experienced bullying like this, but I'm sure the events in this book were similar to experiences that someone else reading the book might have endured.
October 30, 2018
I liked this book, even if it isn't something adventurous, it faces some reality, and shows the character development. The book shows how throughout it, she finds a new sort of meaning for the word 'Freak' and how she adapted and changed it...although it's not the most fast paced or adventurous book, it was still pretty nice.
January 4, 2019
This is a quick read and reminds me of Middle School to a T. Miriam is an intelligent character who has not yet grown into her adolescent self. She is tormented by the girls at school and just wants to be herself and left alone. This book is a raw look at how rough it can be to go from being a little girl to young adult.
April 19, 2022
Emotional turmoil, bullying, coming of age... This one has it all. I would recommend this book for any young girl. It gives you perspective from the standpoint of being bullied, betrayed, and hurt. If you have been in this position then you will relate, if you have never been in this position then you will learn.
October 6, 2017
This was the first book I've ever been able to finish in 4 hours.
It was pretty enraging at some parts, though it did have it's few favorable revenge moments. Yet you left the book feeling unsatisfied. Questions are left unanswered and not all plot lines end.
It was pretty enraging at some parts, though it did have it's few favorable revenge moments. Yet you left the book feeling unsatisfied. Questions are left unanswered and not all plot lines end.
February 23, 2018
This is an abosolutey fascinating tear jerking book, about bullying in school and how Miriam deals with the “watermelon girls” in her school. I would reconmend anyone to read this book expecially middle schoolers going through the same thing.
October 27, 2021
A short story that really wants to say something but just makes me uncomfortable instead. Don't suggest for any age under 18 because this could have detrimental effects on how a kid may act or think is normal. I think it does the opposite of what it sets out to do.
December 18, 2024
I honestly loved this book. It only took me a while to finish because of work, but it was so great. I would recommend this to anyone in middle school, I will be making my little sister read it as well. A perfect book.
April 30, 2018
This was a good book, I liked how it shows how someone changes over time and how you enemy can change over time a well.
September 1, 2020
still remember reading this when I was eight or nine.
October 20, 2022
This book was horrible. Not in the sense that it was trashy but it has many triggers. The main character has such a hard life. This book was hard to sit through.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews