Freak the Mighty (Scholastic Gold) - by Rodman Philbrick (Paperback)

About the Book

Two boys--a slow learner stuck in the body of a teenage giant and a tiny genius in leg braces--forge a unique friendship when they pair up to create one formidable human force. Basis for the film "The Mighty." Named as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults.

Book Synopsis

An unexpected friendship leads to a life-changing story in this timeless classic by Newbery Honor author Rodman Philbrick.

"I never had a brain until Freak came along . . . "

That's what Max thought. All his life he'd been called stupid. Dumb. Slow. It didn't help that his body seemed to be growing faster than his mind. It didn't help that people were afraid of him. So Max learned how to be alone. At least until Freak came along.

Freak was weird, too. He had a little body--and a really big brain. Together Max and Freak were unstoppable.

Together, they were Freak the Mighty.

• Over two million copies sold and eight foreign editions!
• Turned into a feature film starring Kieran Culkin and Sharon Stone
• Themes of friendship and bullying make this story timeless
• This classic by award-winning author Rodman Philbrick will continue to be a middle grade reading staple, now and in the years to come!
• The Scholastic Gold edition contains exclusive bonus content, including a Q&A with the author, writing tips, and more!

From the Back Cover

MAX. FREAK. BEST FRIENDS. FOREVER.

"I never had a brain until Freak came along. . . ".

That's what Max thought. All his life he'd been called stupid. Dumb. Slow. It didn't help that his body seemed to be growing faster than his mind. It didn't help that people were afraid of him. So Max learned how to be alone At least until Freak came along.

Freak was weird, too. He had a little body -- and a really big brain. Together Max and Freak were unstoppable.

Together, they were Freak the Mighty.

Review Quotes

Praise for Rodman Philbrick:

Freak the Mighty

A School Library Journal Best Book for Young Adults

A YALSA Best Book for Young Adults

A YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

An IRA Young Adults' Choices Book

A winner of: Arizona Young Readers' Award, California Young Reader Medal, Charlotte Award, Golden Sower Award (Nebraska), Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature (California), Soaring Eagle Book Award (Wyoming)

"Max's description of their friendship . . . 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." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

A Newbery Honor Book

A Kentucky Bluegrass Award Nominee

An Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner

A New York Public Library's "Children's Books" 2009 -- 100 Books for Reading and Sharing

A CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2010

"The book wouldn't be nearly as much fun without Homer's tall tales, but there are serious moments, too, and the horror of war and injustice of slavery ring clearly above the din of playful exaggerations." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

About the Author

Newbery Honor author Rodman Philbrick has written more than a dozen novels for young readers. In 1993, he published his first children's book, Freak the Mighty, which became an instant classic, and was made into a feature film. The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg was a 2010 Newbery Honor Book. Philbrick's other acclaimed novels include Max the Mighty, The Young Man and the Sea, The Last Book in the Universe, Zane and the Hurricane, and Wildfire. Philbrick divides his time between Maine and the Florida Keys. You can learn more about him on his website: rodmanphilbrick.com.