Product Description

A stunning young adult novel by Rodman Philbrick that tells the heartwrenching story of two ³special ed² boys who pair up to form a unique and empowering friendship. Two boys‹a slow learner stuck in the body of a teenage giant and a tiny Einstein in leg braces‹forge a unique friendship when they pair up to create one formidable human force. Made into the film, The Mighty.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19372 in Books
• Published on: 2001-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780439286060
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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From Publishers Weekly
Maxwell Kane, a lumbering eighth grader who describes himself as a "butthead goon," has lived with grandparents Grim and Gram ever since his father was imprisoned for murdering his mother. Mean-spirited schoolmates and special ed (for an undetermined learning disability) haven't improved his self-image, so he is totally unprepared for a friendship with Kevin, aka Freak, a veritable genius with a serious birth defect that's left him in braces and using crutches. Max is uplifted by Freak's imagination and booming confidence, while Freak gets a literal boost--hoisted onto Max's shoulders, he shares Max's mobility. Together they become Freak the Mighty, an invincible duo. Philbrick's first YA novel, already implausible, becomes choked with cliches and stereotypes as Max and Freak mix with B-movie lowlifes, a newly paroled Killer Kane kidnaps his son and Freak himself meets a cloyingly articulated fate. Contrived and unappetizing. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9-A wonderful story of triumph over imperfection, shame, and loss. Large, awkward, learning-disabled Maxwell Kane, whose father is in prison for murdering his mother, and crippled, undersized Kevin are both mocked by their peers; the cruel taunting they endure is all too realistic and believable. The boys establish a friendship-and a partnership. Kevin defends them with his intelligence, while Max is his friend's "legs," affording him a chance to participate in the larger world. Inspired by tales of King Arthur, they become knights fighting for good and true causes. But Kevin's illness progresses, and when he dies, Max is left with the memories of an extraordinary relationship and, perhaps, the insight to think positively about himself and his future. The author writes with empathy, honoring the possibilities of even peripheral characters; Kevin and Max are memorable and luminous. Many YA novels deal with the effects of a friend dying, but this one is somewhat different and very special.
Libby K. White, Schenectady County Public Library, NY
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
``The unvanquished truth'' concerning the extraordinary friendship between Kevin (``Freak''), a brilliant 12-year-old whose birth defect prevents growth, and gigantic Max, who recognizes in his new two-foot-tall neighbor the feisty kid with crutches he knew in daycare years ago. Meanwhile, Max has his own troubles; he can barely read, making school an ordeal, and since his dad's in jail for killing his mother, he lives with gentle Gram and the aptly named Grim in a fairly rough neighborhood. As ``Freak the Mighty''--as they call themselves when Freak perches on Max's shoulders, guiding him like a horse and issuing instructions--the two have much to give each other. With Freak's quick wits and Max's long legs, they explore the neighborhood and best a gang of bullies on July 4. Freak, with his vast vocabulary and imagination to match, is uncondescending but uncompromising. He gets Max involved in his elaborate fantasy games and lures him into reading; when school starts, Max (somewhat implausibly) is placed in the gifted class to help his friend. When Max's father gets out on parole at Christmas, a mesmerizingly suspenseful sequence echoing the earlier rout of the bullies ensues. Max's description of their friendship--ostensibly written, after Freak's death, in the blank book Freak had given him--is gritty, unsentimental, sparked with Freak's wry verbal wit and Max's earthier humor, and ultimately poignant. Easily read but compelling: an intriguing and unusual story. (Fiction. 10-14) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

Appealing to Young and Adult Readers Alike
Rodman Philbrick's ability to write interesting literature that appeals to young readers (especially teens) comes in handy with "Freak the Mighty." This rather poignant and affecting novel follows the unlikely "Odd Couple"-like friendship between Max--who lives with his grandparents, and is an enourmous eighth grader on the slow side, yet has plenty of common sense, surrounded by his father's reputation as a convicted killer--and Kevin, dubbed "Freak"--a 13 year old genius plagued with a birth defect that keeps him the size of a six year old.
Aside from being physically contradictory, Kevin's book smarts and well-read brilliancy seem the exact opposite of Max's poor grammar and lack of motivation. But almost phenomically, in a karma-like manner, the two become instant companions.
Their "quests" in the "yonder" of the nighborhoods reveal some rather interesting characters. Speaking of which, Philbrick explores the qualities our narrator Max, and his buddy Kevin, without missing a detail.
Being thirteen when I read this book, my thoughts allthroughout reading "Freak the Mighty" were, "How can some old guy know how WE talk, how WE think?" I was shocked at myself for crying when I had finished the final chapter.
Together, Max and Kevin become "Freak the Mighty" with their un-cliched friendship and dependance upon one another.
Philbrick's novel is wonderfully humanistic; there's just something so reassuring in the human race about the thought of the giant Max walking with the enthusiastic three-and-a-half foot Kevin hoisted onto his shoulders.
Young readers will fall in love with "Freak the Mighty" for its realistic portrayal of a teenager, while adults will undoubtedly savor its humane touch.

Super !!!!!!!
This book has a wonderful plot.Here are the 2 characters that make the book so good: Maxwell Cane {Kicker},the main character with a heart of gold and Kevin{Freak},a boy whose has the body of a 5 year old but, has the mind of a genius and the insides of a nomal 13 year old {which cause trouble}. They are not the most likely pair but together they are Freak the Mighty with the right combination of brains (Freak) and brawn (Max). The pair go on many exciting adventures including a trip to Loretta and Iggy Lee's house. Iggy is the leader of the panheads, a motorcycle gang feared by everyone. Loretta is Iggy's girlfriend. Iggy and Loretta know the dreadful Kenny Kane who is in jail for strangling Max's mother (which explains why he lives with his grandparents). If I tell you any more I will spoil the book for you. But I will give you one hint. Kenny Kane is back. This is a exquisite book. My teacher read it out loud and my whole six grade class roared at the funny parts and really wanted a different ending. I think Max is someone to relate to and recommend this book highly to all kids who love reading and a great story. Be sure to check out the back of the book for Freak's dictionary.

A wondrous friendship
Thirteen year old Max Kane has a major problem with self-esteem. But who wouldn't, given what he's been through?

His mother is dead, murdered years before by his father, who is now serving time in prison. Max lives with his grandparents in a basement room, rarely emerging from his "down under" world because he thinks he's too huge and too stupid to function.

When Kevin moves next door, though, Max's life begins to change. Kevin, also thirteen, has the body of a young child but the brain of a grownup. The two become friends and allies, combining their strengths and uniting as "Freak the Mighty." Max has the muscle power, while Kevin has the imagination (and teaches Max to unlock his own). The two embark upon various hilarious and suspenseful adventures, culminating in a kidnapping and a daring rescue.

The best part of the book, besides the terrific story of a friendship, is the writing style. Narrated by Max, the story reads like an eighth grade boy's monologue -- conversational, funny, and instantly appealing.

This book is a real treasure.