Freak the Mighty Discussion Questions Chapters 1-3 Who is telling the story? Why was the narrator called Kicker for a time? Who does Max live with? Who is Him? When did Freak and Kicker meet for the first time? What happens on the first day of July in Max s neighborhood? What did Maxwell find weird about Freak? Why does Max go over to Kevin s backyard? Why does Max take Kevin to see the down under? Why does Max call the first chapter of his book, The Unvanquished Truth? In your own words, describe Max s personality and appearance. How does the location of Max s room down under relate to how he feels about himself? How does Freak get Max out of his room? What is magic about their quest? 1
Chapters 4-6 What story does Freak tell max when they first meet? Why does Kevin call his mother Fair Gwen of Air? Why is Kevin interested in King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table? What message did Gram relate to Max when he came home? What is Max s response when Gram s calls Kevin poor boy? Why did Max make Gwen nervous? Why does Max feel everyone is making a big deal that he looks like his father? Why is this Fourth of July special to Max and Kevin? Who gives the boys a difficult time when they are on their way to the millpond? Why does Max put Kevin on his shoulders and how does Kevin react to the gesture? Predict why Gwen reacted the way she did when she found Freak in the basement with Max. In your own words, describe Freak's appearance and personality 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? 2
Chapters 7-9 What does Freak keep in his pocket? Where do Kevin and Max go to get away from Blade and his punks? Why doesn t Max like to go to the beach? How do Kevin and Max get out of the pond? When asked for their names, what does Kevin reply? How do Gram and Grim respond to the boy s adventure? How does Kevin change Max s summer routine? What is Freak the Mighty s first quest destination in chapter 9? Why? Does Max believe Freak s explanation? When Kevin is on Max s shoulders, do both boys see the same thing? While Max provides the foot-power for Freak the Mighty, what does Kevin provide?(opinion) Explain whether Freak s plan to get away from the bullies was successful or not. 3
Chapters 10-12 What color did Freak say they had to war on their quest for the treasure in the storm drain? What do they retrieve from storm drain? What would you do if you found something? Why? Who do they meet to return the purse? Why was Freak the Mighty allowed to leave the Lee s apartment without being harmed? Who is Killer Kane? How long was Killer Kane in jail? Why did Kevin make Gwen convince the people at the school to allow the boys to be in the same class? Why is it unusual for Max to be in Kevin s class? Why does Kevin call the class to order? How does Freak change everyone s opinion about Max? What is the purpose of the next quest for Freak the Mighty? How is this quest different from others? What was the first clue that the boys shouldn t go into the New Testaments (New Tenements)? 4
Chapters 13-14 Why does Max get upset when he is called into the Principal s office on Friday the thirteenth of October? What happens in the cafeteria at lunch on the Thirteenth? When is the next time Max is upset? What is Mr. Meegan s opinion about Max s reading skill? Why does Freak have health problems? Do you think Mrs. Addison will be able to keep her promise? Why or why not? Do you think court order will keep Killer Kane away from Max? Why or Why not? What does Max promise Grim? Chapters 15-16 What was the significance of the gift that Freak gave Max for Christmas? What happens during the night when Max is sleeping? Where do Max and Killer Kane stay on Christmas Eve? What is special about the shape of the box the Kevin made for Max s gift? Is Max surprised to see his father? Where did Iggy take Max and his dad? 5
Why did Killer Kane tie up Max? How is Max treated by his dad? What does Killer Kane tell Max when he woke him up before daybreak? Does Max believe him? Why or why not? What does Max notice as he looks at his father s face as he describes the injustices he experienced? Chapters 18-20 Who came down the stairs to help Max? Who saved Max? How did Max get his dad to let go of Loretta Lee s throat? What do you think Killer Kane would do if he did not have help from Iggy? What phrase did Killer Kane hear that would cause him to shift his attention from Loretta to Max? What did Kevin state was in the water gun? What was really in the water gun? What does Iggy report to Killer Kane when he comes to the apartment to see him? How does Kevin come to Max s rescue? As Chapter 20 ends, what is happening to Max, Kevin, Iggy, Loretta and Killer Kane? 6
Chapters 21-23 Why does Grim call Killer Kane an accident of nature? What happens when Max and Grim are playing 3-D Chess? What evidence reveals that Freak was not feeling well at his birthday party? 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? What was the extent to Loretta s injury? Why does Gwen remind Kevin he has to be extra careful? What happens before Killer Kane s trial? Why was Freak sent to the hospital? Chapters 24-25 Why did Max run to the medical research building? What did Max find out when he got to the medical research building? What surprising thing did Tony D. do? Where is Freak s mom, Gwen? After talking to Loretta Lee, what did Max decide to do? What happens when Max goes to the hospital? How did Max react to Freak s death? What did Loretta Lee tell Max that turned him around? 7