Book #2: Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

Philbrick, Rodman. Freak the Mighty. New York: Scholastic Paperbacks, 2001.

Max is not your typical adolescent. He is large and “retarded”. But, neither is Freak, a.k.a. Kevin, is very intelligent but is physically disabled. Kevin is very short but his lack of height is defiantly fulfilled by his excess brain capacity. Together they are a force to be reckoned with. Max became freaks protector from the crude and rude world. Freak taught Max how to escape from reality in order to not feel like such an outcast. In their minds they turned houses to castles and swimming pools to motes and together the World becomes their very own fairy tale.

This is a great story of triumph. Both main characters try to tackle their biggest issues by helping one another. Max overcomes his inability to read and write and is able to leave his special education courses to join in with Kevin’s classes. Kevin is carried around by Max who made him feel taller than the rest and gain self confidence. This book is a great, exciting and suspenseful read. It allows readers to realize that it is ok to be different and that people should not be judgmental of one another. It also shows readers that there is a will and a way to overcome everything in life. With the help of a great friend Max over came his reading disability.

Rodman Philbrick is considered an informed writer. The book is loosely based off of a boy who lived a few blocks away from Philbrick. He became inspired by this boy and decided to write the amazing novel that has become a hit around the world and turned into a movie.