Freak the Mighty

     While I was in Wellington observing for CAL, I saw a 7th grade class reading the book Freak the Mighty. After talking to the teacher about why and how she teaches it, I became very interested in it! I have just started to read it, so I won't be able to go into too much detail yet. However, this book would be excellent to teach in the middle school (grades 6-8). It is written from the point of view of a boy named Maxwell who is bigger than any other 7th grader and has a learning disorder. So, the syntax of the novel is very much like that of a 7th grade boy. He meets Freak, or Kevin, who has Morquio syndrome. The two become an inseperable pair which they later named themselves 'Freak the Mighty' because Maxwell carries Freak on his shoulders and they become nine feet tall together.

      I could easily see why this book is taught in schools. Students could easily relate to either of the characters, and there is a lot of appropriate humor, as well. Students could also research Morquio syndrome and do projects over their discoveries. There is also a movie based on this book called The Mighty. The possibilites are endless in teaching this book! It could also just be a great reccomened read to any student who may be struggling with accepting themselves.