Freak the Mighty

These prompts can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before or after reading the novel.

A Friend in Need

Max has confessed his struggles with reading and writing in school to you, a close friend. How would you help him? Devise three strategies to help Max, and determine how these strategies connect to the novel’s theme of Discovering Strength through Friendships.

Teaching Suggestion: Review Chapter 12 and Chapter 13 of Freak the Mighty and facilitate a discussion around Max’s feelings and actions. Encourage students to think of traits of their own friends to devise their plan on how to help Max.

• An article from the Learning Disabilities Resources Foundation about the benefits of the peer-to-peer model for students with learning disabilities

Facing Your Fears

Max and Freak each face different circumstances at home and at school. How do they approach these circumstances? How would you handle their situations if you were in their shoes, and why?

Teaching Suggestion: Allow students to reflect on their reading of Freak the Mighty and how they felt reading about Max and Freak’s family and school relationships. Highlight scenes that emphasize Friends vs. Bullies and Differences Among Friends.

• A student-produced book trailer for Freak the Mighty introduces the story’s main characters and major plot points.