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Freak The Mighty #1
Freak the Mighty
Meet Maxwell Kane, narrator of Freak the Mighty. He’s a timid soul stuck in the body of a teenage giant with size 14 shoes. Haunted by a dark secret in his past, he hides out in his basement room, avoiding the world. But when a new kid moves in next door Max’s life changes forever. The two outcasts form the ‘normal’ world team up to become “Freak the Mighty.”
Like knights of old they defend the weak, right every wrong–and solve the mystery of Max’s past. Proving once and for all that courage comes in all sizes.
Like knights of old they defend the weak, right every wrong–and solve the mystery of Max’s past. Proving once and for all that courage comes in all sizes.
4 pages, Audio CD
First published January 1, 1993
2524 people are currently reading
14761 people want to read
About the author
Rodman Philbrick
60 books369 followersAka William R Dantz, Chris Jordan, W.R. Philbrick.
Rodman Philbrick grew up on the New England coast, where he worked as a longshoreman and boat builder. For many years he wrote mysteries and detective novels. The Private Eye Writers of America nominated two of his T.D.Stash series as best detective novel and then selected Philbrick's 'Brothers & Sinners' as Best Novel in 1993. Writing under the pen name 'William R. Dantz' he has explored the near-future worlds of genetic engineering and hi-tech brain control in books like 'Hunger', 'Pulse', 'The Seventh Sleeper'. And 'Nine Levels Down'.
Inspired by the life of a boy who lived a few blocks away, he wrote 'Freak The Mighty', the award-winning young-adult novel, which has been translated into numerous languages and is now read in schools throughout the world. The book was adapted to the screen in 1998 as 'The Mighty', starring Sharon Stone, Gillian Anderson, James Gandolfini, Kieran Culkin, and Elden Henson.
Philbrick, a screenwriter as well as a novelist, is the author of a number of novels for young readers, including 'The Fire Pony', 'Max the Mighty', 'REM World', 'The Last Book In The Universe', 'The Journal of Douglas Allen Deeds' and 'The Young Man And The Sea'. His recent novels for adults include 'Dark Matter', 'Coffins', and 'Taken'. He and his wife divide their time between Maine and the Florida Keys.
Rodman Philbrick grew up on the New England coast, where he worked as a longshoreman and boat builder. For many years he wrote mysteries and detective novels. The Private Eye Writers of America nominated two of his T.D.Stash series as best detective novel and then selected Philbrick's 'Brothers & Sinners' as Best Novel in 1993. Writing under the pen name 'William R. Dantz' he has explored the near-future worlds of genetic engineering and hi-tech brain control in books like 'Hunger', 'Pulse', 'The Seventh Sleeper'. And 'Nine Levels Down'.
Inspired by the life of a boy who lived a few blocks away, he wrote 'Freak The Mighty', the award-winning young-adult novel, which has been translated into numerous languages and is now read in schools throughout the world. The book was adapted to the screen in 1998 as 'The Mighty', starring Sharon Stone, Gillian Anderson, James Gandolfini, Kieran Culkin, and Elden Henson.
Philbrick, a screenwriter as well as a novelist, is the author of a number of novels for young readers, including 'The Fire Pony', 'Max the Mighty', 'REM World', 'The Last Book In The Universe', 'The Journal of Douglas Allen Deeds' and 'The Young Man And The Sea'. His recent novels for adults include 'Dark Matter', 'Coffins', and 'Taken'. He and his wife divide their time between Maine and the Florida Keys.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,584 reviews
September 26, 2012
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????
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????
November 16, 2007
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.
December 23, 2017
When one of my students looks me in the eye and tells me that I HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK. You read that book. So glad I did.
January 16, 2024
i started this to revisit a book i know i read for 6th or 7th grade english class, expecting to dnf it because of ableism and outdated writing. what i didn't expect was to fly through this in one sitting! and yeah, there was use of the r-slur and bullying toward the main characters, but the friendship in this book was so wholesome and i actually also loved the suspenseful elements that unfolded. partially through this book i remembered how it would end, so it must have stuck with me subconsciously over the years. and dang it's a bittersweet ending. but i loved that there were so many new things i picked up on as an adult that i'm sure i missed as a preteen.
November 23, 2013
I don’t have enough words for how much I love this book. It’s real, it’s gritty, it’s intense, inspiring, sad, suspenseful, funny. I could go on and on, but bottom line is this book was phenomenal.
This is the story of Max & Kevin aka “Freak the Mighty.” It is told by Max, an overgrown middle school boy. Everyone is afraid of him because he looks so much like his old man, someone you know right away is a very bad guy. He calls himself a butthead, is made fun of at school, and doesn’t have any friends. One day Max sees some commotion going on down the street.
Kevin is a genius, he’s feisty, has a huge vocabulary, is hilarious and just so happens to have a physical disability. Him and Max strike up a friendship and become inseparable. It’s such an amazing dynamic between them. Every sees Max as big and stupid and Kevin as smart and small, so together they are unstoppable. They have adventures and face some huge obstacles together.
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 way this book is written really helps pull you into the story. You can literally hear Max’s voice as you read. His commentary and inner thoughts are so relatable and the things him and Kevin get themselves into are hilarious. There are so many twists and turns that keep this story fresh and unpredictable. The suspense was something I was not expecting at all going in, but it really added to the overall plot.
I read this book with my sixth grade class and when I passed out the books they said they thought it was going to be cheesy and kind of dumb. They quickly changed their tune. This book deals with a lot of really serious issues and the situations definitely make it for more mature readers. The things we were reading shocked some of my kids and it was challenging at times. I usually planned on reading 1-2 chapters a day and when things were really heating up we read up to 4 chapters at a time. We could not put it down. The experience of reading this book with kids was priceless. They were so invested, every single one of them. At one point or another I heard, “I’ve never cared about a book so much in my life” from almost everyone.
This book is unforgettable. I LOVED it. 5+ stars.
”Books are like truth serum — if you don’t read, you can’t figure out what’s real.”
Sidenote: The audio of this book is AMAZING! My kids love to read aloud themselves and they begged to only listen to the audio version. So, so, so good!
This is the story of Max & Kevin aka “Freak the Mighty.” It is told by Max, an overgrown middle school boy. Everyone is afraid of him because he looks so much like his old man, someone you know right away is a very bad guy. He calls himself a butthead, is made fun of at school, and doesn’t have any friends. One day Max sees some commotion going on down the street.
Next thing I notice is this crippled-up yellow-haired midget kid strutting around the sidewalk, giving orders to the beards.
He’s going: “Hey you, Doofus! Yeah, you with the hairy face, take it easy with that box. That box contains a computer, you know what a computer is?”
I can’t believe it. By then I’m sneaking along the street to see what’s going on, and there’s this weird-looking little dude, he’s got a normal-sized head, but the rest of him is shorter than a yardstick and kind of twisted in a way that means he can’t stand up straight and makes his chest puff out, and he’s waving his crutches around and yelling up at the movers.
...
I go, “I thought there weren’t any real robots. Just in the movies.”
Boy does that make his eyes blaze. Like whoa! talk about laser beams! He’s like fuming, so upset he can hardly talk. Finally he gets control of himself and he goes,
“I suppose I must make allowances for your ignorance. On the subject of robots you are clearly misinformed."
Kevin is a genius, he’s feisty, has a huge vocabulary, is hilarious and just so happens to have a physical disability. Him and Max strike up a friendship and become inseparable. It’s such an amazing dynamic between them. Every sees Max as big and stupid and Kevin as smart and small, so together they are unstoppable. They have adventures and face some huge obstacles together.
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 way this book is written really helps pull you into the story. You can literally hear Max’s voice as you read. His commentary and inner thoughts are so relatable and the things him and Kevin get themselves into are hilarious. There are so many twists and turns that keep this story fresh and unpredictable. The suspense was something I was not expecting at all going in, but it really added to the overall plot.
I read this book with my sixth grade class and when I passed out the books they said they thought it was going to be cheesy and kind of dumb. They quickly changed their tune. This book deals with a lot of really serious issues and the situations definitely make it for more mature readers. The things we were reading shocked some of my kids and it was challenging at times. I usually planned on reading 1-2 chapters a day and when things were really heating up we read up to 4 chapters at a time. We could not put it down. The experience of reading this book with kids was priceless. They were so invested, every single one of them. At one point or another I heard, “I’ve never cared about a book so much in my life” from almost everyone.
This book is unforgettable. I LOVED it. 5+ stars.
”Books are like truth serum — if you don’t read, you can’t figure out what’s real.”
Sidenote: The audio of this book is AMAZING! My kids love to read aloud themselves and they begged to only listen to the audio version. So, so, so good!
January 15, 2008
This is a fun book, and the kids love it (I teach junior high and cover this book every year). It's the story of an unlikely friendship between a very small boy with health problems and a short life span, and a very large boy whose childhood has been pretty rough. There is a little bit of language that might deter some teachers, but I've found that the kids can get past it for the story. There are a lot of fun adventures, some great lessons, and some tough issues that the boys go through together, and my students have always seemed to relate to them on some level. I highly recommend this book for the junior high age kid.
May 24, 2016
As a special education teacher I struggled listening to parts of this book. The language used in this book is inappropriate. Also, they make having a learning disability sound like a bad thing. The book made it seem like your really stupid if you have one. And that is not true. The book did have some exciting and interesting points in it. A lot of it was unrealistic, especially with the father, but it kept the story interesting.
October 19, 2007
Freak the Mighty was just a really good book. it is sad what happens at the end, but the entire story line between the two main characters Freak, and Mighty was just complexing.
both are attracted to each other because one is big without so much of a mind, the other is small but with a large mind.
Freak known as KEVIN in the story is a boy with a birth defect. his body is very small and fragile and cannot hold itself up. however, he has the brain of someone say three times his age or you could say at a genius level for his age. Mighty also known as Max or Maxwell on the other hand is a very grown boy. he stands very tall, yet his mind isnt as quick or as smart.
the two come together and become best of freinds. noth help each other go through problems in life, and yet maintain a trustful, honest, and loyal companionship.
what i most enjoyed about this story was the use of the middle ages. freak the mighty based their tales on the oledn tales of King ARTHUR and his knight of round ables doing deeds for everyone else and protecting those in danger.as i too, enjoy those stories becassue they were quite fascinating and yet to say the least, worth my time.
try this book and see the meaning of true friendship. realize the power that is strength and courage.
both are attracted to each other because one is big without so much of a mind, the other is small but with a large mind.
Freak known as KEVIN in the story is a boy with a birth defect. his body is very small and fragile and cannot hold itself up. however, he has the brain of someone say three times his age or you could say at a genius level for his age. Mighty also known as Max or Maxwell on the other hand is a very grown boy. he stands very tall, yet his mind isnt as quick or as smart.
the two come together and become best of freinds. noth help each other go through problems in life, and yet maintain a trustful, honest, and loyal companionship.
what i most enjoyed about this story was the use of the middle ages. freak the mighty based their tales on the oledn tales of King ARTHUR and his knight of round ables doing deeds for everyone else and protecting those in danger.as i too, enjoy those stories becassue they were quite fascinating and yet to say the least, worth my time.
try this book and see the meaning of true friendship. realize the power that is strength and courage.
October 21, 2019
I think the book Freak the Mighty, by Rodman Philbrick, is a lot like me and my friends. In the story, Maxwell and Kevin are really bored without each other, and they rely on each other a lot for homework, staying out of trouble, and avoiding bullies. I think this is also partly the case for me and my friends. We help each other with homework, problems, and other things.
January 25, 2024
A longtime film buff and screenwriter, I happened upon the adaptation a couple of years ago. With a star-studded cast that includes Sharon Stone, Harry Dean Stanton, James Gandolfini and others, it held me captive from start to finish.
During childhood, Max Kane became friends with Kevin a 'shrunken' boy who while brilliant suffered from a rare degenerative disease that caused a hunchback. When Max's mother is murdered by his father Kenny, his grandparents take him in.
Living in the basement of Gram and Grim's house years later, they notice a new family moving in next door and curiosity gets the best of Max. That evening he peeks over the fence and spots a crippled boy gazing up at a tree where a strange bird-like contraption dangles from a branch. As large as a full grown man, Max scurries up the tree and tosses it to his neighbor and its then he realizes that the boy is none other than his childhood friend.
Kevin possesses Mensa level intelligence, speaks like a professor which is the polar opposite of Max. One would normally assume a diseased child walking with crutches would be depressed and anxious, but Kevin is anything but! A fan of King Arthur, he refers to his mother as the Fair Gwen whose love for him is limitless. With an old friendship reignited, Max feels Kevin is a freak of nature and nicknames him 'Freak 'while Kevin feels Max is a Mighty Giant.
Driven by themes of unrelenting friendship, adoration and joy, the reader is immersed into the lives of 13 year-olds who become 'knights' in a modern world. Freak is part Sherlock Holmes, another Einstein and together they become "Freak the Mighty" since Max carries him around on his shoulders. As the story nears the finish line, we learn Kenny Kane escapes, captures Max and takes him to The Towers where his old buddies Iggy and Loretta dwell to hide from the looming danger.
This is one of those rare occasions when the film ADDS rather than detracts from the book since it uses visuals of 'The Knights of the Round table' to emphasize adventure. If you enjoy engaging, inspirational stories, this is a quick read you'll love.
During childhood, Max Kane became friends with Kevin a 'shrunken' boy who while brilliant suffered from a rare degenerative disease that caused a hunchback. When Max's mother is murdered by his father Kenny, his grandparents take him in.
Living in the basement of Gram and Grim's house years later, they notice a new family moving in next door and curiosity gets the best of Max. That evening he peeks over the fence and spots a crippled boy gazing up at a tree where a strange bird-like contraption dangles from a branch. As large as a full grown man, Max scurries up the tree and tosses it to his neighbor and its then he realizes that the boy is none other than his childhood friend.
Kevin possesses Mensa level intelligence, speaks like a professor which is the polar opposite of Max. One would normally assume a diseased child walking with crutches would be depressed and anxious, but Kevin is anything but! A fan of King Arthur, he refers to his mother as the Fair Gwen whose love for him is limitless. With an old friendship reignited, Max feels Kevin is a freak of nature and nicknames him 'Freak 'while Kevin feels Max is a Mighty Giant.
Driven by themes of unrelenting friendship, adoration and joy, the reader is immersed into the lives of 13 year-olds who become 'knights' in a modern world. Freak is part Sherlock Holmes, another Einstein and together they become "Freak the Mighty" since Max carries him around on his shoulders. As the story nears the finish line, we learn Kenny Kane escapes, captures Max and takes him to The Towers where his old buddies Iggy and Loretta dwell to hide from the looming danger.
This is one of those rare occasions when the film ADDS rather than detracts from the book since it uses visuals of 'The Knights of the Round table' to emphasize adventure. If you enjoy engaging, inspirational stories, this is a quick read you'll love.
September 15, 2019
I have a lot of problems with this entire book, but the friendship was sweet enough for what should've been a middle grade read.
This was the first book I read for high school English. And like I said. Problems. Lots of problems. *Quotes Hamilton* This should be fun.
I'm sorry, this'll have spoilers, but at this point I need to rant:
Problem 1
The Characters:
Max: he spends way to much time walking for a 13 yr old. Just me?!
Kevin: I mean, he's fine. Like I felt sorry for him, but...
Gwen: is the only character I don't have a problem with. I even wrote a "why I admired this character" essay on her
"Killer" Kane: is a pyschopath who probably shouldn't have been in a book aimed supposedly at a middle grade reader
Problem 2
All the kids supposedly spend thier entire lives trying to make Max's life torture, bullying him about his learning disabilities (which I'll get to later) and his dad. Literally no one is that cruel. If you know something awful about someones family, you don't bully them, and make their lives hell
Killer Kane, Killer Kane, got a son who has no brain
Problem 3
When Max was three or four he saw, or possibly heard, his mum strangled to death by his dad. Obvioulsy his dad is imprisoned for it, and subsequently let out during the book, which he immediately breaks patrol and a restraining order, kidnapping Max from his house. Kevin (a kid on crutches, let me remind you) sneaks out of his house, saves Max, and Killer Kane is back in jail for life. For starters, this is jolty. There were maybe two mentions of his dad before this. Then the fact that it's wrapped up in time for a sweetly wrapped up ending. But wait. 20 pages left and... I'll talk yell about it later
Problem 4
Max clearly has a learning disablity, but the school doesn't make special modifications to the way his teachers, well teach him. No they berate him, and yell, and make him feel stupid like a goon (Because that's how they talk) There is a quote in this book that I can't seem to find, but basically the teacher (supposedly nice) says something along the lines of "we had you tested for dyslexia, but you didn't have it, so it was obvious that you were just stupid, but it's good Kevin has helped you be smart" What kind of school is this??!
Problem 5
Either, they talk like 8 years olds, using words like "goon" or they talk like an adult a wikipedia page. Not even adults talk like that!
Problem 6
Kevin's death isn't even that sad!! I'm sorry There's no emotionaly buildup, (a sentence I've been using a lot ) and the thing that usually brings me to tears is a characters thoughts and feelings over "what if I lose them?" There's none of that.
Problem 7
Max is so self absorbed. Not going to his friends funeral?? Not even realizing when said friends Mum moves away?? I was trying to be sympathetic, but I've just giving up.
Problem 8
Predictability. Need I say anything more?
Wrap Up
I've asked around in my class, and they either think the book is sad, and good, or bad, and still sad. Guess where I am. Neither. I'm literally the one person who reads. (I mean half the class didn't even read it!) and my opinion isn't even valid. (that's not true, my friend in class has heard me rant about this book many times, while still being uninterested)
This was the first book I read for high school English. And like I said. Problems. Lots of problems. *Quotes Hamilton* This should be fun.
I'm sorry, this'll have spoilers, but at this point I need to rant:
Problem 1
The Characters:
Max: he spends way to much time walking for a 13 yr old. Just me?!
Kevin: I mean, he's fine. Like I felt sorry for him, but...
Gwen: is the only character I don't have a problem with. I even wrote a "why I admired this character" essay on her
"Killer" Kane: is a pyschopath who probably shouldn't have been in a book aimed supposedly at a middle grade reader
Problem 2
All the kids supposedly spend thier entire lives trying to make Max's life torture, bullying him about his learning disabilities (which I'll get to later) and his dad. Literally no one is that cruel. If you know something awful about someones family, you don't bully them, and make their lives hell
Killer Kane, Killer Kane, got a son who has no brain
Problem 3
When Max was three or four he saw, or possibly heard, his mum strangled to death by his dad. Obvioulsy his dad is imprisoned for it, and subsequently let out during the book, which he immediately breaks patrol and a restraining order, kidnapping Max from his house. Kevin (a kid on crutches, let me remind you) sneaks out of his house, saves Max, and Killer Kane is back in jail for life. For starters, this is jolty. There were maybe two mentions of his dad before this. Then the fact that it's wrapped up in time for a sweetly wrapped up ending. But wait. 20 pages left and... I'll talk
Problem 4
Max clearly has a learning disablity, but the school doesn't make special modifications to the way his teachers, well teach him. No they berate him, and yell, and make him feel
Problem 5
Either, they talk like 8 years olds, using words like "goon" or they talk like
Problem 6
Kevin's death isn't even that sad!!
Problem 7
Max is so self absorbed. Not going to his friends funeral?? Not even realizing when said friends Mum moves away?? I was trying to be sympathetic, but I've just giving up.
Problem 8
Predictability. Need I say anything more?
Wrap Up
I've asked around in my class, and they either think the book is sad, and good, or bad, and still sad. Guess where I am. Neither. I'm literally the one person who reads. (I mean half the class didn't even read it!)
October 24, 2016
"Freak the Mighty" is a fantastic book that follows the stories of two boys, Max and Kevin. Although they have differences, they come together and make up for what they are lacking and continue to help each other grow as they go on journeys and quests. Each boy has their own disability, but their disabilities are what makes each character special and unique. The story teaches the reader how people can make judgements of others in the beginning, yet discover appearances aren't what they seem. The story builds using suspense and foreshadowing, which engages the reader, and every character is brought to life through characterization of unique qualities and dialogue. I won't spoil the end for you, but many consider the story tragic, but the lesson learned from the book is one that we can all or will relate to as we grow older and experience life. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves books with interesting characters, action, and themes that any young teen can relate to.
March 25, 2022
They were known as Freak and Kicker. Kevin Avery and Maxwell Kane had known each other since daycare and you’d think that given Kevin’s abnormal smallness, he would have been a pretty kickable target for Kicker. But maybe it was Kevin’s crutches or perhaps it was the shiny braces holding up his crooked legs. Whatever it was, he quickly captured Maxwell’s imagination…and possibly even his respect. When Kevin suddenly re-enters Maxwell’s life during the summer before eighth grade, the two form an unlikely friendship. Separately, they are Midget and Butthead, but together they’re Freak the Mighty and soon everyone would realize that you can’t always judge a book by its cover.
Rodman Philbrick warms your heart and then breaks it with this story of friendship, acceptance, and courage. Told from Maxwell’s point of view, Freak the Mighty shows us how two fractured halves come together to form one implausibly wonderful whole. Kevin is the yin to Maxwell’s yang and they prove that opposites not only attract, but they bond and strengthen. Through Kevin, Maxwell begins to realize his academic potential and starts to free himself from past ties that hold him back. In turn, Maxwell gives Kevin the ability to look for castles, hunt for buried treasure, help damsels in distress, and realize his dream of having a seat at the roundtable.
There seems to be a lot of disparity online regarding the appropriate reader age for this book. Freak the Mighty is recommended for sixth graders and up, although some websites suggest a reader age as young as ten. While it is an easy and fast read—which would clearly appeal to younger readers—there are many instances of violence and disturbing behavior throughout the book, not to mention that Maxwell’s father is far from Father-of-the-Year material. And while the themes of anti-bullying and pro-acceptance are important, there are more age-appropriate options available for younger readers (R. J. Palacio’s Wonder is just one example). All in all, I really loved this story, but it fell just a little short of completely winning me over. With the two main characters being such polar opposites, I feel the story could have benefitted from having alternating narrators—switching between Maxwell and Kevin. Having the opportunity to learn more about Kevin and being able to see the world through his eyes would have added another layer of depth and emotion to this story. Having Mighty without the Freak seems like a sadly missed opportunity.
They say that a friend is someone who looks beyond your broken fence and instead admires the flowers in your garden. Maxwell and Kevin certainly exemplify this through their quirky and unlikely friendship and demonstrate how brains and brawn are not competitors, but rather a wonderful symbiosis. Maxwell gave Kevin legs and Kevin gave Maxwell heart—their own mental and physical challenges replaced by adventure, possibility, and hope. Rare is the friendship that not only opens the door to life’s opportunities, but also lifts you up so that you won’t miss them when they finally arrive.
Rodman Philbrick warms your heart and then breaks it with this story of friendship, acceptance, and courage. Told from Maxwell’s point of view, Freak the Mighty shows us how two fractured halves come together to form one implausibly wonderful whole. Kevin is the yin to Maxwell’s yang and they prove that opposites not only attract, but they bond and strengthen. Through Kevin, Maxwell begins to realize his academic potential and starts to free himself from past ties that hold him back. In turn, Maxwell gives Kevin the ability to look for castles, hunt for buried treasure, help damsels in distress, and realize his dream of having a seat at the roundtable.
There seems to be a lot of disparity online regarding the appropriate reader age for this book. Freak the Mighty is recommended for sixth graders and up, although some websites suggest a reader age as young as ten. While it is an easy and fast read—which would clearly appeal to younger readers—there are many instances of violence and disturbing behavior throughout the book, not to mention that Maxwell’s father is far from Father-of-the-Year material. And while the themes of anti-bullying and pro-acceptance are important, there are more age-appropriate options available for younger readers (R. J. Palacio’s Wonder is just one example). All in all, I really loved this story, but it fell just a little short of completely winning me over. With the two main characters being such polar opposites, I feel the story could have benefitted from having alternating narrators—switching between Maxwell and Kevin. Having the opportunity to learn more about Kevin and being able to see the world through his eyes would have added another layer of depth and emotion to this story. Having Mighty without the Freak seems like a sadly missed opportunity.
They say that a friend is someone who looks beyond your broken fence and instead admires the flowers in your garden. Maxwell and Kevin certainly exemplify this through their quirky and unlikely friendship and demonstrate how brains and brawn are not competitors, but rather a wonderful symbiosis. Maxwell gave Kevin legs and Kevin gave Maxwell heart—their own mental and physical challenges replaced by adventure, possibility, and hope. Rare is the friendship that not only opens the door to life’s opportunities, but also lifts you up so that you won’t miss them when they finally arrive.
May 22, 2012
I would recomend this book to people, but I wouldnt read it again.I just didnt like it, its not my type of book. My type of book would be a mystery book. Although some people may consider this book a mystery, I could tell what was going to happen next. It was way too obvious. For example, I knew Kenny Kane would get parole, I knew he would kidnap max, I knew Kenny was going to end up back in jail, I knew Freak was lying about getting a new/bionic body, and i knew Freak was going to die.
But it's not like the book seemed unrealistic, all that could happen to someone and probably already has. It wasn't difficult either, I followed along just fine. It wasn't confusing either, i understood pretty much everything that was going on.
Some things also made the book not as interesting. Like some of the characters just didn't fit, the people who wrote Freak the Mighty could have have better or more interresting things happen to them. I don't know what they could have done to make them more interesting but, the I do know that the characters were just boring.
Freak the Mighty could have been better, way better. This book is not in any way, my type of book, but I would recomend it to others because I could be the only one who feels it isn't a mystery. I want others opinions on what they thought of the book.
But it's not like the book seemed unrealistic, all that could happen to someone and probably already has. It wasn't difficult either, I followed along just fine. It wasn't confusing either, i understood pretty much everything that was going on.
Some things also made the book not as interesting. Like some of the characters just didn't fit, the people who wrote Freak the Mighty could have have better or more interresting things happen to them. I don't know what they could have done to make them more interesting but, the I do know that the characters were just boring.
Freak the Mighty could have been better, way better. This book is not in any way, my type of book, but I would recomend it to others because I could be the only one who feels it isn't a mystery. I want others opinions on what they thought of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2007
This is a lovely, offbeat book about the unlikely friendship between two boys who seem to share nothing in common. Max is very big for his age, and thinks he isn't very smart, while Kevin has a birth defect that causes him to stay very small. He's also brilliant! The two team up, Max carrying Kevin on his shoulders, and become Freak the Mighty, going on quests to assist those in need and living life to its fullest in every adventure. The story is told from Max's point of view, and we learn all about his grandparents, his mother who's passed away, and his father, Killer Kane, who's in prison. Through Max we experience all over again the agony of being young and different, and the joy of finding a kindred spirit. This book was a fantastic read!
November 18, 2018
I didn't really enjoy this one it just wasn't interesting or was it something I would usually read ( it was required reading). I enjoyed some parts of this book but thought other parts were quite boring. Overall rating 2.5 stars. Just wasn't really my thing!
July 15, 2016
Short, sweet and heartbreaking.
April 24, 2023
Die erste Leserunde mit meinem Sohn.
Er musste das Buch für die Schule lesen.
Ich finde es zwar nicht mehr so zeitgemäß, da man merkt, dass die Geschichte in den 90 ern spielt. Witzig, als mein Sohn mich fragte, was ein Walkman sei. Das Erlebnis des gemeinsamen Lesens hat aber überwogen. Und dazu gab es eine nette Story über eine etwas ungleiche Freundschaft, Mut und Verlust, gepaart mit Spannung.
Er musste das Buch für die Schule lesen.
Ich finde es zwar nicht mehr so zeitgemäß, da man merkt, dass die Geschichte in den 90 ern spielt. Witzig, als mein Sohn mich fragte, was ein Walkman sei. Das Erlebnis des gemeinsamen Lesens hat aber überwogen. Und dazu gab es eine nette Story über eine etwas ungleiche Freundschaft, Mut und Verlust, gepaart mit Spannung.
November 14, 2009
Freak the Mighty
Freak the Mighty is about a friendship between two boys who are both slow in their own way. Freak also known as Kevin is highly intelligent, but small and crippled. Max/Mighty is very tall and large but has special needs. Together they help one another conquer difficulties that arise. Max needs academic support, and Kevin needs height and feet. Kevin tutors Max and in exchange Max takes freak to places he could never go himself; both of their worlds open up for them because now they have it all. Together they are a team which they call themselves Freak the Mighty. Max’s main internal conflict was what people thought of him.
Throughout reading this book I made a text-to-world connection. Many people are attracted to others who can help them and vise versa. People want an equal relationship and that is exactly what Kevin and Max had. Although, the two boys had more than that they had a bond that would never brake.
I would undoubtedly give this book 5 stars. Tears will swell by the time you finish this story. It will encourage you to become more open to the world, to people’s differences and accepting. If you liked Freak the Mighty check out other books from Rodman Philbrick.
Freak the Mighty is about a friendship between two boys who are both slow in their own way. Freak also known as Kevin is highly intelligent, but small and crippled. Max/Mighty is very tall and large but has special needs. Together they help one another conquer difficulties that arise. Max needs academic support, and Kevin needs height and feet. Kevin tutors Max and in exchange Max takes freak to places he could never go himself; both of their worlds open up for them because now they have it all. Together they are a team which they call themselves Freak the Mighty. Max’s main internal conflict was what people thought of him.
Throughout reading this book I made a text-to-world connection. Many people are attracted to others who can help them and vise versa. People want an equal relationship and that is exactly what Kevin and Max had. Although, the two boys had more than that they had a bond that would never brake.
I would undoubtedly give this book 5 stars. Tears will swell by the time you finish this story. It will encourage you to become more open to the world, to people’s differences and accepting. If you liked Freak the Mighty check out other books from Rodman Philbrick.
January 25, 2011
I think the book is good and sad. Its about this guy named Max who is tall. People make fun of him becaus they say that he has no bran. Like he need a class to help him to read. Then he met Freak in that class becaus he had to help him. Freak told Max that he had to read this book but then Max said that he can't read so then Freak reads it for him. Then the next day freak asked Max if he can take him to this place and says that he will pay him if he takes him. they became best friends
June 1, 2023
Third Read - May 15, 2023 - June 1, 2023
4 Stars
I read this with my grade six class. They enjoyed it.
Second Read - June 4, 2018 - June 20, 2018
4 Stars
I read this with my grade six class. They were emotional near the end. They highly recommended that I read this with next years class.
First Read - year 2000
4 Stars
I enjoyed this book when I was in grade six.
4 Stars
I read this with my grade six class. They enjoyed it.
Second Read - June 4, 2018 - June 20, 2018
4 Stars
I read this with my grade six class. They were emotional near the end. They highly recommended that I read this with next years class.
First Read - year 2000
4 Stars
I enjoyed this book when I was in grade six.
August 6, 2019
Books are like truth serum-- if you don't read, you can't figure out what's real.
To think that a book this short could be so uplifting and heartbreaking.
RTC
To think that a book this short could be so uplifting and heartbreaking.
RTC
October 26, 2011
My daughter is reading this book in her 7th Grade English class and so I thought I'd check it out myself. To be honest I wasn't that impressed. It was a good story, quite heart-warming really, but Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck was much better, and really this is a similar story. Basically a really large, quite dumb person is befriended by a smaller and smarter person. In this story it's school kids, in Of Mice and Men, it's adults, but it's the same premise. To be honest, I'm a little disappointed that this is what was chosen though, because I think Of Mice and Men holds more literary value, and that's what I read in 7th Grade. For an English class, I don't think it's a fantastic choice, but as a general read, this is a good book and a fast read, so I would still recommend it. It's a great story of friendship, overcoming obstacles, and never letting go of dreams.
October 23, 2017
Freak the mighty is a very touching story of unlikely friendships in which a kid Kevin who is super smart, adventurous, and kind meets kind of the opposite of that in his friend Maxwell Kane who is tall, clumsy, and "stupid." These two kids go on many journeys making you get closer to the both of them in a roller coaster of a book full of ups, downs, and emotions.
November 15, 2018
Jona's rating = 3
Joslyn's rating = 3
❤️ Gotta love it when your 13 year old says, "It just didn't challenge me much but it was a decent book."
Joslyn's rating = 3
❤️ Gotta love it when your 13 year old says, "It just didn't challenge me much but it was a decent book."
April 22, 2015
Our class just finished reading Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. This is a story about an unlikely friendship between two boys who have issues to deal with. They help each other develop socially, emotionally, and mentally. Max goes on an introspective journey led by his new friend, Kevin. After dealing with past issues, Max becomes more confident and secure. One of the themes is that we should give others a chance before we judge them. As a teacher of reluctant readers (like Max), this positive message is difficult to find in young adult fiction. My students empathize and become emotionally attached to Max and his journey to believe in himself.
September 24, 2008
♥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♥
November 15, 2020
Hm.
I’m going to be honest here, I did not think I was going to like this book. At all.
However, as you can see, I DID love it! :)
The characters are great, truly great, and they seem... real. There was definitely a lot of care in them.
The story kept itself afloat with plot twists and turns, though it was on the shorter side.
It was also an emotional roller ride, as you’ll see if you read the book, but I just loved it.
So, if you don’t think you’ll like it, give it a try! This was such a fabulous read...
Yay!
I’m going to be honest here, I did not think I was going to like this book. At all.
However, as you can see, I DID love it! :)
The characters are great, truly great, and they seem... real. There was definitely a lot of care in them.
The story kept itself afloat with plot twists and turns, though it was on the shorter side.
It was also an emotional roller ride, as you’ll see if you read the book, but I just loved it.
So, if you don’t think you’ll like it, give it a try! This was such a fabulous read...
Yay!
April 2, 2020
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!
December 16, 2020
Oh my goodness me and my kids read this one together and we finished it tonight *spoiler alert and I was bawling! It was so good and I am super glad we picked it as one of ours to "read together" books! I think YA and adults could read this too it's just one of those great reminders of not taking life for granted.
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