Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
Audience: 10 and up
Rating: B+
Synopsis:
Max has always felt like a dumb kid is a giant’s body, until the day he meets Freak. Kevin, also known as Freak, is a genius trapped in a tiny body. The two become good friends; working together to create imaginary quests and to teach each other about life, friendship, and overcoming obstacles.
Chatter:
(Spoiler Alerts! )
I wonder what Max’s mother was like. We know that she was friends with Gwen, and Grim says that she had a good heart, but we don’t hear Max share any specific memories of her. I wonder why she fell in love with a bad guy like Ken and why he killed her. If she had lived, I doubt Max would have gone through his angry ‘Kicker’ phase and his whole life would have been different.
Regardless, Max and Freak would probably have been friends. If his mother had lived, she would have hung out with Gwen and the boys could have grown up together. These two clearly needed each other. Max provided Freak with an opportunity to feel strong and powerful, and Freak taught Max how to feel smart. I would have loved to read how their lives would have progressed if Freak had lived. What do you think would have happened?
My biggest problem with this book was that no one bothered to warn Max that Freak was dying. Poor Max thought that Freak was going to be cured by getting a biotic body, and instead he shows up at the hospital and learns that his best friend is dead. Had Max known, he would have had a chance to say goodbye. I don’t think it’s fair that the adult kept this secret from him and denied him this chance.
Questions:
Was it wrong for Gwen, Grim and Gram not to tell Max that Freak was dying?
What was the most important lesson that Freak taught Max? That Freak taught Max?
What will happen to Max now that Freak is gone?
Keep reading!
-Paige
Buy Freak the Mighty from Amazon
