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Freak the Mighty (by Rodman Philbrick)

common sense media says

Outcasts join forces to conquer readers' hearts.

parents & educators say
See all 68 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that one main character has a learning disability and lives with his grandparents because his father was put in prison for murdering his mother. He and his best friend, who is disabled and uses crutches to walk, also endure cruel and emotionally painful treatment at school from their fellow students for being "different." Despite the inherent seriousness of these themes, kids will enjoy the funny writing, quirky and likable characters, high imagination, and suspense. The book also includes a humorous dictionary.

Positive messages: The novel deals with series issues such as mental and physical disabilities with heart and humor.
Positive role models: The main characters disobey their parents and go to a dangerous area.
Violence: A gang member attacks the two main characters, and a man strangles two characters. A main character is kidnapped and nearly killed by his own father.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Freak the Mighty

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about how Max and Freak have been affected by cruel and relentless teasing from their classmates.
  • Are Max's criticisms about his brain accurate?
  • How does Freak help him see himself in a different light?
  • For kids, have you ever teased someone who was different?
  • If so, did you feel bad about it later -- and what did you do to make it right?

What's the story?

What's the story?
A hulking "retard" and a brilliant, crippled boy become strong as they undertake imaginary quests and fight all-too-real criminals. The only thing they can't conquer is time. Max knows that people -- even his own grandparents -- fear him because he looks just like his imprisoned father, who's known as Killer Kane. He's huge, he can hardly read or write, and he lives in his grandparents' basement.

But his new neighbor, Kevin, in his tiny, deformed body, seems willing to accept him. The two become close friends, assuming a new identity when Max begins carrying Kevin on his shoulders. Kevin dubs them Freak the Mighty, and they wander their town using Max's mobility and Kevin's brain to conjure up exciting quests. With Kevin's help, Max learns to read and is allowed out of his special-education classes to join Max in his honors courses. But when Max's father is paroled, Max relives the horrors of his past, while Kevin tries to rescue him.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Funny, scary, suspenseful, and wise, this book can help young readers accept kids who seem different from them. When you don't fit in, and you're a kid, what do you do? Max just suffers alone, compressing his emotions inside his massive body. Kevin fights back by letting his intelligence and his imagination soar beyond his deformed body. Even if he can't save himself, Kevin can save Max. He teaches Max how to use his imagination to create exciting adventures: Houses become castles, swimming pools become moats, and a hardboiled motorcycle mama becomes a damsel in distress. And he teaches readers compassion and that everyone is valuable and has something to contribute.

Through Kevin's courage in the face of his illness, readers learn the importance of not giving up when faced with difficulty, and they witness how Kevin inspires Max's progress. Kevin uses his vocabulary as a weapon and teaches Max how to use the dictionary, his favorite book. Max says that Kevin "pulls it out like Arnold Schwarzenegger pulling out a machine gun or something." Thus the character instills in real kids the power of words.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Rodman Philbrick
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Publication date: January 1, 1993
Number of pages: 169
Paperback price: $5.99
This review was written by Monica Wyatt
 
 

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What parents & educators say

9

Most useful reviews by all members

FaNtAsTiCkiLLjOyXD
teen, 14 years old
10
 
Good for 6th graders on up!
What's so wrong with Freak the Mighty? We just read it in my english class and it was awesome:) Everyone loved it, and I thought it was cool to read something not super sanitized. It's not for six year olds, but tweens on up will love it! If you think Max being called a retard is just sooo offensive, then don't read it to your freaking disabled or your young kids. It's obviously not for kids under nine, why hasn't that registered with you idiots??
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theatreteach
adult
9
 
I absolutely loved this story. It has great messages for readers of all ages. It deals with a lot of issues, such as friendship, myth and reality, death, and disabilities.
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Breezyy
teen, 18 years old
11
 
Killer Kane, Killer Kane. Had a kid who didn't know he had such a good brain (:
I just finished reading this book in my l.a class. We also watched the movie. I like the book better though because of the added detail. LOVE IT!!!!! (p.s im only 12 so WAT NOW!!!!!)
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Cat Lady 101
teen, 17 years old
17
 
waste of ti
hate it
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ilovedonaldduc ...
adult
17
 
...This was ridiculous... my 10 year old brother brought it home for his class book review... so i was helping him read it since he has Mental issues... so i was reading it and after the first few pages i stopped... The constant talking about how violent he is... Also I believe they use the word cripple van... That is just rude and degrading... my mother actually called the principle to complain.. this is an AWFUL book... ESPECIALLY when there are alot of young boys looking up to "Kicker:"
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cocotiger
kid, 13 years old
10
 
Freak the mighty
This book is amazing. It will leave you crying. It will make you smile. It will make you laugh. This is the best book i have ever read. It is about a boy named Max and he is 5'10" and he meets this boy named Kevin (Freak). They become best friends and can't get away from each other. People make fun of them but they move on. Then it's Kevin's birthday party. And a fatal accident occurs. You have to read it to get more details. This book made my day and will teach you lessons. It taught me lessons. To not make fun of people because they might come back in a worse way. If you are having problems in life, read this book. It will make you feel either better or worse about yourself.
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Kaceygurl123
parent of 13 , and 13 , 15 , 15 , 16 , 18 year old
9
 
Amazing, touching book!
This book is a really touching book about 2 special boys. For all of you people saying it's too violent for little kids. Why are you reading it to little kids?? Of course, it's too violent for 5 yr olds! Anyway if you are complaining it's too violent for 9 yr olds, then why do all the teachers read it to the kids?
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Scottygirl1
teen, 14 years old
12
 
Freak the mighty rating for others to know about this book is great!
I am 13 i read this book last year for middle school battle of the books. Honestly this book was REALLY REALLY sad!! Although out of all the 27 books that we had to read this book was my absolute favorite. The saddest part was someone died of a disease. Just incase you deside to read it I wont put a whole lot of what its about..
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jlowe1998
teen, 18 years old
2
 
i love it it is a great book of kids
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ReverendDad
parent of 6 and 9 year old
12
 
4-year old witnesses dad strangle mom, then dad attacks him later... Hey kids, bedtime story???
Who are the parents who think it's "good" for their child to be exposed to a father who murdered his wife in cold blood by strangling her to death in front of their 4-year old son? The son recounts the events of that horrible night shortly after a woman frees him from the chair where his father has bound him hand and foot and gagged him, only to have the father return unexpectedly and begin strangling yet another woman, graphically choking the life out of her. Once the boy, our main character, reveals that he witnessed his father murder his mother, good ol' dad begins to strangle HIM, too, and the children who are the target audience get to read from a young man's perspective what it's like to be strangled nearly to death. Unbelievably raw portrayals of blind rage and a murderous father who willingly kills first the mom and then attempts to strangle the son. Who thought this was a good idea for children???
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HeyArnold84
adult
11
 
Violent and sad, but good storyline and interesting characters.
This book is pretty good, but NOT for young kids. Max's father nearly strangles Max to death, the same way he murdered Max's mother. The descriptions of these acts are slighty graphic and a tad gory, but if your kids are mature they should be able to handle it. Also, there is a very, very sad death of a main character, who has known he was going to die since he was 7.
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MaKayla1245
teen, 17 years old
15
 
Best for more mature kids, Kids who wouldn;t attempt stuff they hear or see.
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cacAGO
teen, 15 years old
10
 
FREAK THE MIGHTY
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BenjyBoy10
kid, 11 years old
9
 
I can't believe I'm doing this but...
I love this book and there's no swearing beside "oh my god"!
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me4ever55
kid, 12 years old
11
 
BEST BOOK EVER really touching
This book is really good in school im watching the movie freak is just so cute the way he so smart and stuff the end has to one of the most saddest parts in the book i was going to cry after i read this THIS WAS BASED ON A TRUE STORY
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read2kids
adult
 
a great emotional roller coaster
I am a school librarian and my sixth graders hang of every word. They have gone through a roller coaster of feelings. Although the language is rough,the relationship forged between freak and mighty is priceless.
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redbart
teen, 15 years old
12
 
only an okay book
It is a good book for kids from 6th to 7th grade. At the end it is almost a little disappointing and sad. After you read this, you wonder, what happens in the next book. Also, I disliked the movie, so read the book first.
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kadee
teen, 13 years old
 
freak the mighty the book cover
i think u were great in the book maxwell... i really think that u were great for ever did u know the book is pretty good.
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schoolkid101
kid, 13 years old
12
 
gr8
This book is a really touching book about 2 special boys. For all of you people saying it's too violent for little kids. Why are you reading it to little kids?? Of course, it's too violent for 5 yr olds! Anyway if you are complaining it's too violent for 9 yr olds, then why do all the teachers read it to the kids? I am 13 i read this book last year for middle school battle of the books. Honestly this book was REALLY REALLY sad!! Although out of all the 27 books that we had to read this book was my absolute favorite. The saddest part was someone died of a disease. Just incase you deside to read it I wont put a whole lot of what its about..
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helped me decide (12) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (10)
ReanRossier
adult
10
 
Freak The Amazing!
My teacher red this book as a read aloud and it was very good. The story was just wonderful. Even thou the book is really sad. i still enjoyed the smart kid named Freak, and the tall boy named Max. I would say that this book should be for kids 5th grade and up. because I think that the 4th graders will just focus on the bad parts. Not the message and the story. Rodman Philbrick is an excellent author and i would love to read more of his amazing books.
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