Freak the Mighty reviewed

The young adult book genre is known to deal with themes that are important to the lives of younger generations, focusing on identity, coming-of-age, and relationships.

Many young adult books have garnered praise and critical acclaim. One such book is Freak The Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. The book is available on many online retailers like Amazon.

Many journals and magazines, such as Kirkus Reviews and The School Library Journal, reviewed Freak The Mighty positively. In this review, you’ll learn about his famous novel Freak the Mighty, as well as its plot, style, and interesting characters.

What is Freak the Mighty about?

Freak the Mighty tells the heartwarming story of an inspiring friendship between two boys named Maxwell Kane and Kevin Avery. The main characters both have complex yet likable personalities that many young readers will find relatable.

The best friends embark on a series of adventures together. They use their unique skills and personalities to help each other on their adventures while overcoming their challenges with the strength of their friendship.

The book also deals with more serious themes like abuse. Max has an abusive father called “Killer Kane,” for example, and their relationship (or lack thereof) is one of the drivers for the plot. With Kevin’s guidance, Max learns to overcome the challenges of dealing with questions of abuse while the soon-to-be eighth-graders balance their personal issues with the challenges of middle school life.

Freak the Mighty is a great book for those who wish to explore the themes of friendship, perseverance, and acceptance while touching upon the more serious issues young readers may face.

Freak the Mighty – A book review

The first thing that stands out in Freak the Mighty is the heartwarming and fully supportive relationship between two seemingly opposite characters—Kevin and Max. Max is very big and strong for his age but has a learning disability, while Kevin is a genius with Morquio syndrome that keeps him small and in leg braces.

While Max refers to himself as a “butthead,” Kevin has earned the nickname “freak.” After their first adventure, they begin to work together and come up with a combined nickname. The challenges they face teach them to accept themselves while helping each other. Although Max is a slow learner and Kevin has a physical disability, they are still able to navigate their way through teenage life as they move into the eighth grade.

The book unpacks a lot of issues that small boys and girls may run into growing up. It talks about some of the harder challenges, such as bullying and sometimes even violence. The plot is suspenseful but straightforward to follow as the boys run into these issues.

Freak the Mighty has the potential to teach young readers the value of empathy by using the unique relationship of Kevin and Max as an example. Kevin teaches Max how to read and aids in him joining honor courses while Max carries Kevin around on his shoulders.

Though the book sometimes does deal with complex and darker themes, it’s altogether a book of contrasts. That’s what makes it so engaging and heartwarming for so many younger readers.

The darker aspects of the book, such as Max’s father and his chain-smoking grandfather Grim, are contrasted by the lighter tones of friendship and positive identity.

One example is when Max and Kevin embark on an adventure to retrieve a stolen purse. With Kevin’s intelligence and Max’s strength, they were able to outsmart and overpower the thieves before returning the purse to its rightful owner, named Loretta Lee.

The duo’s triumphs are a testament to the power of friendship, teamwork, and determination.

Overall, Freak the Mighty has something for every reader. It is suspenseful, inspiring, gritty, sad, and happy all at once. It takes readers on a roller-coaster ride while still dealing with issues that can be relevant to their young lives.

About the author

Rodman Philbrick is an American writer famous for his popular children’s books and young adult books. His books are easily relatable and inspire young readers while discussing important issues central to their lives.

The author’s other works you might want to put on your wish list include Max The Mighty, The Young Man and The Sea, Zane and The Hurricane, Wildfire, and The Last Book in the Universe. 

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FAQ

Is Freak the Mighty a good book?

Yes, Freak the Mighty is a critically acclaimed and beloved book that has garnered praise in the young adult genre.

Will parents like Freak the Mighty?

Parents are likely to enjoy reading Freak the Mighty with their children due to its themes of friendship, perseverance, and acceptance. However, it does touch upon some darker themes, such as abuse. Parents should keep this in mind.

What age is Freak the Mighty recommended for?

Although readers of all ages can enjoy Freak the Mighty, it is typically in the young adult genre for young readers with a reading level in the 8-12 grade range.

What is the main character in Freak the Mighty?

The two main characters in Freak the Mighty are Kevin, who is physically handicapped but intellectually gifted, and Max, who is large and strong but struggles with a learning disability.

What are some good quotes from Freak the Mighty?

Some good quotes from the book include: “Pain is just a state of mind. You can think your way out of anything, even pain.” and “Every word is part of a picture. Every sentence is a picture. All you have to do is link them together.”