Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
Realistic Fiction; 169 pages
Outcasts Maxwell and Kevin, the former a giant of a boy who lacks intelligence and the latter a genius in leg braces, team up for a series of imaginative adventures that bring them undreamed-of discoveries.
Sam’s review:
Readers who like books with a first person narrator about friendship and overcoming odds, and who do not mind some sadness, will appreciate this book. Freak the Mighty, an amazing story of friendship, is told from the point of view of Maxwell Kane. Max has had a rough life and it shows in how he sees himself. He lives with his grandparents, Grim and Gram, because his father is in prison for having killed his mother. When the book begins, Max doesn’t seem to have anything going his way. He has a room in the basement where he hides his large frame and is apologetic about his lack of brains. Then, Kevin moves in next door and everything changes for Max. Kevin, or “Freak,” has a serious birth defect that has prevented him from growing and caused him to walk with crutches. What Freak lacks in physical size, he makes up for in brain power and zest for life. He zeroes in on Max and together, with Freak on Max’s shoulders, they become “Freak the Mighty.” Their adventures, patterned after King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, are truly worth reading and make a significant impact on Max (and this reader). It’s great when they take on the bullies. Some of the minor characters are not completely believable, but this gripe is a minor one in light of the rich depth in the characters of Max and Freak. Originally published 21 years ago, this book holds up as a relevant and worthwhile read.