Freak the Mighty

I CANNOT have a reading blog without talking about Freak the Mighty. It is pretty much the best story ever written. 

Spoiler alert... you will be traumatized, but it is SO worth it. I am finding it difficult to put into words just how much this book moves me.

It was also made into a movie; title shortened to just The Mighty.

 One time I talked my oldest daughter into watching it with me, forgetting that I have to be in a certain headspace to watch it. I cried all night. Sobbed is a more accurate word... Sobbed loudly. Aspen, my daughter, was horrified and could not sleep the rest of the night because I was crying so loudly ALL DARN NIGHT.

Man... I am really selling you on this book, aren't I? Traumatization, loud sobbing, never fully recovering... I am doing such a great job.

The movie has since become a favorite of my youngest daughter and as much as I love it, I am a bit dismayed at her love for it because I just cannot go there sometimes.

All that aside, this book is the tale of an unlikely friendship. Max's father is in prison for murder. Max himself is huge for his age. He is a gentle giant, living with his grandparents, and is both bullied and feared at school. He also cannot read. 

Enter Kevin; boy genius with a physical disability and a smart mouth. Kevin, who believes Max was the culprit in knocking him down with a basketball, is not crazy about Max and Max isn't quick to correct him. As Kevin teaches Max to read, the unlikely bond forms.

This is all I am going to tell you, just be prepared for a good cry. I love this book so much. I am in the process of re-reading it.  

If you haven't read this book yet, you really must. You will have all the feels, good and bad. 

If you are a teacher or parent, I highly recommend this book as a read-aloud. My youngest (who is a huge fan of this story) is only seven, many schools read this in middle school, really any age would benefit from reading this book. It encourages empathy, brings about dialogue about disabilities and different family structures and also trauma and grief. 

Now, I know this is a book blog, but I ALSO highly recommend you watch the movie as well. The actors really do an excellent job of bringing these characters and their emotions to life. 

You will never be the same.

Freak the Mighty really is life-changing.