Freak the Mighty – By Rodman Philbrick
Copyright 1993 by Rodman Philbrick
Scholastic. New York, NY
Audience: Early teens, middle school students
This story is about two very different boys. Max is introduces himself as “kicker.” He wasn’t always the best behaved, probably because of his home life or lack there of. Max lives with his grandparents. His father is in prison for killing him mother. By the time he is in 8th grade, Max is bigger than the other students and has a few learning disabilities that cause him to be an outcast. Luckily for Max, Kevin comes along. Kevin is a small boy who lives close to him and is also an outcast in school but for the exact opposite reasons. Kevin, or “Freak” is very smart. The two boys end up becoming close friends and call themselves “Freak The Mighty.” Freak sits on Max’s shoulders and they go through everyday life together helping each other out. Max learns about Freak’s illness and Freak learns a little about Max’s family through their adventures. This story truly embodies the phrase “opposites attract.”
Themes:
Isolation: At the beginning of the book, Max feels like he shouldn’t become close to anyone, that way he can’t lose anyone. Then he is hesitant to develop a relationship with Freak. By the end of the book, Max is alone again. It is a very hard time for him but he realizes the relationship he did have with Freak was powerful and good.
“I like it in the down under, got the place all to myself and no fear of Gram sticking her head in the door and saying Maxwell dear, what are you doing?” page 5
Friendship: On the opposite end, when Max does develop his friendship with Freak, things start getting better for him. He is doing better in school. He is kinder to his family. He has found a friend in the most unexpected person. Again, showing that opposites attract.
“Freak is still holding tight to my shoulders and when they ask him for his name, he says, "We're Freak the Mighty, that's who we are. We’re nine feet tall in case you haven’t noticed." Page 40
My reaction:
I enjoyed this story a lot. Maybe because I see relationships like this a lot and I also relationships like Freak the Mighty happened more often. Usually the special education rooms of a school are often in the corner. These rooms are filled with different abilities and personalities. I have seen some of the strangest pairings of students who have found each other in these rooms. And it works! But then I see students out in general education who are still isolating, students like Max and Freak. I think bringing this book into the classroom can open up the idea that being friends with someone who isn’t exactly like you is ok.
Copyright 1993 by Rodman Philbrick
Scholastic. New York, NY
Audience: Early teens, middle school students
This story is about two very different boys. Max is introduces himself as “kicker.” He wasn’t always the best behaved, probably because of his home life or lack there of. Max lives with his grandparents. His father is in prison for killing him mother. By the time he is in 8th grade, Max is bigger than the other students and has a few learning disabilities that cause him to be an outcast. Luckily for Max, Kevin comes along. Kevin is a small boy who lives close to him and is also an outcast in school but for the exact opposite reasons. Kevin, or “Freak” is very smart. The two boys end up becoming close friends and call themselves “Freak The Mighty.” Freak sits on Max’s shoulders and they go through everyday life together helping each other out. Max learns about Freak’s illness and Freak learns a little about Max’s family through their adventures. This story truly embodies the phrase “opposites attract.”
Themes:
Isolation: At the beginning of the book, Max feels like he shouldn’t become close to anyone, that way he can’t lose anyone. Then he is hesitant to develop a relationship with Freak. By the end of the book, Max is alone again. It is a very hard time for him but he realizes the relationship he did have with Freak was powerful and good.
“I like it in the down under, got the place all to myself and no fear of Gram sticking her head in the door and saying Maxwell dear, what are you doing?” page 5
Friendship: On the opposite end, when Max does develop his friendship with Freak, things start getting better for him. He is doing better in school. He is kinder to his family. He has found a friend in the most unexpected person. Again, showing that opposites attract.
“Freak is still holding tight to my shoulders and when they ask him for his name, he says, "We're Freak the Mighty, that's who we are. We’re nine feet tall in case you haven’t noticed." Page 40
My reaction:
I enjoyed this story a lot. Maybe because I see relationships like this a lot and I also relationships like Freak the Mighty happened more often. Usually the special education rooms of a school are often in the corner. These rooms are filled with different abilities and personalities. I have seen some of the strangest pairings of students who have found each other in these rooms. And it works! But then I see students out in general education who are still isolating, students like Max and Freak. I think bringing this book into the classroom can open up the idea that being friends with someone who isn’t exactly like you is ok.