Freak the Mighty By Rodman Philbrick Before Reading Activity Activating Prior Knowledge [R06-S1C6-01] Predict the context of the text by analyzing the title, pictures key words and pictures. Have students predict what the story is about and confirm predictions using a prediction graphic organizer. Title: Author: Read the title and look at the picture. What do you predict the novel will be about? After scanning through the pages, what can you learn about the setting? Explain what you think of when you scan this book. Does it remind you of another book you have read? Summary
Two boys a slow learner stuck in the body of a teenage giant and a tiny Einstein in leg braces forge a unique friendship when they pair up to create one formidable human force. Max Kane is the narrator of the story. In the first two sentences Max states, "I never had a brain until Freak came along and let me borrow his for a while, and that's the truth, the whole truth. The Unvanquished Truth." But it is not until the novel's final page that we learn why and how Max wrote a book about the adventures of Freak the Mighty. Characters: Max Kevin Gwen Gram Grim Blade Tony D. Mrs. Addison Loretta Iggy Kenny Killer Kane Chapter 1-3: Comprehension Questions 1. Why does Max call the first chapter of his book, The Unvanquished Truth? 2. In your own words, describe Max s personality and appearance. 3. How does the location of Max s room down under relate to how he feels about himself? 4. How does Freak get Max out of his room? What is magic about their quest? Summary In the first chapter, we meet the cast of characters: learning disabled and very large Max, severely handicapped and incredibly intelligent Kevin, Max s grandmother Gram and his grandfather Grim. We also learn there is a Him in Max's life, someone his grandparents fear and someone Max resembles. Max and Kevin had known each other in day care, but do not meet again until the summer before eighth grade. Kevin and his mother Gwen move into the duplex down the way from Max s grandparents home the first of July. Max, who is growing so fast and exploding out of his clothes, remembers Kevin, whose body is too small for his growing organs, eventually join forces to become Freak the Mighty.
Later that day, Kevin s ornithopter gets stuck in his backyard tree. Max notices Kevin is struggling to dislodge the mechanical bird with his crutch then he goes over to get the bird out of the tree for Kevin. Unvanquished-To defeat in battle, preferably with dragons Phony-fake Observation- To take notice or watch Glimpse-Slight appearance Consequences-The outcome of something that occurred earlier Flimsy-Weak, unstable Installation-To fix, connect, put together Discussion Questions 1. Who is telling the story? 2. Why was the narrator called kicker for a time? 3. Who does Max live with? 4. Who is Him? 5. When did Freak and Kicker meet for the first time? 6. What happens on the first day of July in Max s neighborhood? 7. What did Maxwell find weird about Freak? 8. Why does Max go over to Kevin s backyard? 9. Why does Max take Kevin to see the down under? Chapter 4-6: Comprehension questions
1. Predict why Gwen reacted the way she did when she found Freak in the basement with Max. 2. In your own words, describe Freak's appearance and personality 3. At the end of chapter 5, Max states "...and I'm crying like a baby. And the really weird thing is, I'm happy." What do you think about this statement? Why would he cry if he was happy? Why is it weird for him to be happy? Summary While in the down under, Kevin tells Max about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Tables. Gwen searches for Kevin and quickly takes him home after seeing Max. Gwen later invites Max over for supper and they all have a great time. Demeanor-Behavior Quest- Adventure Invincible- Incapable of being defeated or conquered Massive-Large Intruding- To enter without being invited Depleted-To be reduced or decreased Regurgitate-To vomit Discussion Questions 10. What story does Freak tell max when they first meet? 11. Why does Kevin call his mother Fair Gwen of Air? 12. Why is Kevin interested in King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table? 13. What message did Gram relate to Max when he came home? 14. What is Max s response when Gram s calls Kevin poor boy? 15. Why did Max make Gwen nervous? 16. Why does Max feel everyone is making a big deal that he looks like his father? 17. Why is this Fourth of July special to Max and Kevin? 18. Who gives the boys a difficult time when they are on their way to the millpond? 19. Why does Max put Kevin on his shoulders and how does Kevin react to the gesture? Chapter 7-9 Comprehension Questions 1. When Kevin is on Max s shoulders, do both boys see the same thing?
2. While Max provides the foot-power for Freak the Mighty, what does Kevin provide?(opinion) 3. Explain whether Freak s plan to get away from the bullies was successful or not. Summary After the firework display, Kevin is still on Max s shoulders when they notice Tony D. and his punks approaching them. Kevin directs Max to the millpond and alerts the roving police car. When asked to identify themselves, Kevin states they are Freak the Mighty. Grim and Gram are impressed with Max s heroism and treat him differently. Every morning following the Fourth of July, Kevin enters the down under to wake Max up with an idea of a quest for Freak the Mighty. Max and Kevin go on a quest to the Medical Research building at the hospital. Kevin tells Max that research effort is being made to give him a human robotic body. Max is sworn to not divulge his secret. Perspective-Ones viewpoint or outlook Evasive-Vague, unclear Confrontation-Conflict, encounter Vegetate-To do nothing Divulged-Disclose; reveal Modification-To change or alter Discussion Questions 20. What does Freak keep in his pocket? 21 Where do Kevin and Max go to get away from Blade and his punks? 22. Why doesn t Max like to go to the beach? 23. How do Kevin and Max get out of the pond? 24. When asked for their names, what does Kevin reply? 25. How do Gram and Grim respond to the boy s adventure? 26. How does Kevin change Max s summer routine? 27. What is Freak the Mighty s first quest destination in chapter 9? Why? 28. Does Max believe Freak s explanation? Chapter 10-12 Comprehension Questions
Summary 1. What is the purpose of the next quest for Freak the Mighty? 2. How is this quest different from others? 3. What was the first clue that the boys shouldn t go into the New Testaments(New Tenements) On their second quest, the boys go in search for a treasure in the sewer at three in the morning. They find a wallet with an ID card belonging to Loretta Lee and plan on returning it to her at the New Testaments. Loretta is married to Iggy Lee an old friend of Killer Kane. The boys are frightened but are not harmed. While at school, Gwen arranges for the boys to be in the same class. Smug-Snobbish Optimum-Best, peak Retrieval-To get, recoup Damsel-Maiden, lady Oaths-Promises Fidgety-To be impatient, restless Discussion Questions 29. What color did Freak say they had to war on their quest for the treasure in the storm drain? 30. What do they retrieve from storm drain? What would you do if you found something? Why? 31. Who do they meet to return the purse? 32. Why was Freak the Mighty allowed to leave the Lee s apartment without being harmed? 33. Who is Killer Kane? 34. How long was Killer Kane in jail? 35. Why did Kevin make Gwen convince the people at the school to allow the boys to be in the same class? 36. Why is it unusual for Max to be in Kevin s class? 37. Why does Kevin call the class to order? 38. How does Freak change everyone s opinion about Max? Chapters 13-14 Comprehension Questions
1. Why does Max get upset when he is called into the Principal s office on Friday the thirteenth of October? 2. What happens in the cafeteria at lunch on the Thirteenth 3. When is the next time Max is upset? Summary Max is called into the Principal s office on October Friday the Thirteenth. Mrs. Addison informs him that his father is requesting to see him. Max gets hysterical and the school nurse and Mrs. Addison try to calm him down. Mrs. Addison promises Max she will help prevent any contact with Killer Kane. At lunch, Kevin chokes on American chop suey and is rushed to the hospital. Kevin is released from the hospital and everything goes well until Christmas vacation. Max is notified that Killer Kane is up for parole. Grim obtains a court order forbidding Killer Kane from coming within a mile from the house. Dyslexic-Having impaired ability to comprehend written words usually associated with a neurologic disorder Gruel- Whatever you want more of Expression- particular word, phrase, or form of words Ruckus-The act of making a noisy disturbance Discussion Questions: 39. What is Mr. Meegan s opinion about Max s reading skill? 40. Why does Freak have health problems? 41. Do you think Mrs. Addison will be able to keep her promise? Why or why not? 42. Do you think court order will keep Killer Kane away from Max? Why or Why not? 43. What does Max promise Grim? Chapters 15-17 Comprehension Questions 1. What was the significance of the gift that Freak gave Max for Christmas?
2. What happens during the night when Max is sleeping? 3. Where do Max and Killer Kane stay on Christmas Eve? Summary Kevin and Gwen join Max, Grim and Gram for dinner and gift exchange on Christmas Eve. Kevin gave Max a dictionary of his favorite words and definitions. Later that night, Killer Kane enters the basement and kidnaps Max and head to Loretta and Iggy s apartment. Iggy takes Killer Kane and Max to a vacant apartment in the New Testaments. Killer Kane ties up Max and explains that he is now a preacher and the two of them will be traveling to tell others of Killer Kane s redemption. He also declares he did not kill Max s mother. Specialties-Masterpiece Gizmo-Gadget Deprived-Economically and socially below standards; disadvantaged Dysfunctional-Socially impaired Discussion Questions 44. What is special about the shape of the box the Kevin made for Max s gift? 45. Is Max surprised to see his father? 46. Where did Iggy take Max and his dad? 47. Why did Killer Kane tie up Max? 48. How is Max treated by his dad? 49. What does Killer Kane tell Max when he woke him up before daybreak? Does Max believe him? Why or why not? 50. What does Max notice as he looks at his father s face as he describes the injustices he experienced? Chapters 18-20 Comprehension Questions 1. What does Iggy report to Killer Kane when he comes to the apartment to see him?
2. How does Kevin come to Max s rescue? 3. As Chapter 20 ends, what is happening to Max, Kevin, Iggy, Loretta and Killer Kane? Summary Iggy arrives and blames the police inquiry on Kevin. Iggy promises to help Killer Kane by providing a gun and transportation. Killer Kane then takes Max to a burned-out building and hide in the basement. Max is bound and gagged by his father and goes back upstairs to look around. Loretta sneaks in the basement to release Max. Just as she finishes, Killer Kane begins to strangle her. As Max tries to help her, he accuses his father of murdering his mother. Killer Kane turns to Max as Kevin comes in through the window. Max grabs Kevin and bursts out of the boarded-up building. The police are at the scene. Redeemed-Recovered; reclaimed Illiterate-Lacking education; unable to read well Puny-Small Discussion Questions: 51. Who came down the stairs to help Max? 52. Who saved Max? 53. How did Max get his dad to let go of Loretta Lee s throat? 54. What do you think Killer Kane would do if he did not have help from Iggy? 55. What phrase did Killer Kane hear that would cause him to shift his attention from Loretta to Max? 56. What did Kevin state was in the water gun? What was really in the water gun? Chapters 21-23 Comprehension Questions 1. What was the extent to Loretta s injury? 2. Why does Gwen remind Kevin he has to be extra careful? 3. What happens before Killer Kane s trial? 4. Why was Freak sent to the hospital?
Summary Killer Kane makes a deal and pleads guilty so Max would not have to testify against him. Kevin turns thirteen two days after school lets out for summer break. During his birthday party, he has a seizure and is rushed to the hospital. Max visits Kevin in the hospital and receives a book with blank pages. He tells Max to write a book about all of the adventures of Freak the Mighty. Kevin informs Max he will not be coming home and will be receiving his bionic body in the morning. Linear-Unswerving Accelerator-Machine for giving charged particles high velocity Obnoxious-Very offensive, unpleasant Prodigy-Person with exceptional talent; child genius Tracheotomy-An opening in ones neck that facilitates breathing Manifestation-Appearance Discussion Questions 57. Why does Grim call Killer Kane an accident of nature? 58. What happens when Max and Grim are playing 3-D Chess? 59. What evidence reveals that Freak was not feeling well at his birthday party? 60. How does Kevin respond to Max s question when asked when he will be coming home? Do you think Max believes him? Why or why not? Chapters 24-25 Comprehension Questions 1. What happens when Max goes to the hospital? 2. How did Max react to Freak s death? 3. What did Loretta Lee tell Max that turned him around?
Summary The next morning while everyone was sleeping, Max walks to the hospital and is notified Kevin had died. Max expresses his anger by running out of the building and heads to the Medical Research area and begins to kick and slam the doors. Dr. Spivak listens to Max describe Kevin s bionic dream. A year after Kevin s death, Max runs into Loretta Lee and he eventually writes the adventures of Freak the Mighty. Admittance-To enter Terminology-; wording Discussion Questions: 61. Why did Max run to the medical research building? 62. What did Max find out when he got to the medical research building? 63. What surprising thing did Tony D. do? 64. Where is Freak s mom, Gwen? 65. After talking to Loretta Lee, what did Max decide to do? Additional Pre Reading Activities: 1. Place the word TEAM WORK on a large sheet of paper. Ask students to respond with words or ideas they think of when seeing this word by recording responses on the paper. 2. Give an example of a time when you've tried to solve a problem while you were thinking of something else and how, as readers, it's important to focus your thoughts.
3. Write the first sentence of the book on the board: I never had a brain until Freak came along.... Ask students to write their response on a sheet of paper and share with whole group. During Reading Activities: While reading, use a story web to map the setting, characters, problem, and solution. [R06-S1C6-04] Connect information and events in text to experience and to related text and sources. 1. Tell students that they ll be reading the first chapter aloud. 2. After reading Chapter one, ask students to skim back through the chapter and find one sentence that stands out for them. It could be interesting, puzzling, important, or something they can relate to. 3. Have students write their sentences on a slip of paper. Have them share with their neighbor along with their reasons for selecting the sentence. Then have two pairs join to share. Then share as a class. [R06-S1C6-02] Predict text content using prior knowledge and text features [R06-S1C6-04] Confirm predictions about text for accuracy. Use a prediction chart to record predictions. As each chapter is discussed, students can review and correct previous predictions. What characters have we met so far? What is the conflict in the story? What are your predictions? Why did you have those predictions/ [R08-S1C6-07] Compare and Contrast
Use a Venn diagram to compare Max and Kevin. How are they alike? How are they different? Max Kevin [R08-S1C6-07] Compare and Contrast
Use a Venn diagram to compare the book and the movie. Identify events and dialogue that are the same. How is the book and movie different? Book Movie Post Reading Activities:
[R08-S1C6-01] Describe the following characters using clues from the text. Character Trait(s) Evidence Max Kevin Grim Gram Gwen Tony D. Blade Mrs. Addison Loretta Lee Iggy Kenny Killer Kane Additional Post Reading Activities:
Final Confirmation/Adjustment of Predictions with Support Discussion prompted response regarding the meaning of the title, where it comes from, and why it's important to the story. Ask students to brainstorm with partners other possible titles and explain why each would fit as a title. [R06-S1C6-06] Apply knowledge of the organizational structures (e.g., chronological order, time-sequence order, cause and effect relationship) of text to aid comprehension. [R06-S1C6-07] Classify story events on a plot diagram. Use diagram to list events that form each of the plot phases and use examples to support your ideas.