Max The Mighty [Paperback]

Rodman Philbrick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

This is the dramatic, heart-wrenching tale of Max (from Freak the Mighty) and Worm, two outsiders who turn to each other for survival.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

PW's starred review called this sequel to Freak the Mighty "a rip-roaring, heartwarming escapade." Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7?There ought to be a law against churning out thoughtless sequels to great books. Max, introduced in Freak the Mighty (Scholastic, 1993), reluctantly runs away with Worm, the 11-year-old stepdaughter of a delusional and abusive street character he calls "the Undertaker." Hitchhiking west in search of Worm's real father, thought to be living in Chivalry, Montana, they are picked up by a widowed ex-teacher called "Hippy-Dippy," who is traveling in a '70s-style, reconditioned school bus. Their ride is interrupted by a chance meeting with an unsavory pair of con artists who recognize Max as the young teen kidnapper for whom a $10,000 bounty is being offered; the youngsters then take off and continue their journey by hopping trains. With "the Undertaker" in hot pursuit, they make it to their destination, a ghost town haunted by a catastrophic mine cave-in. There, the police, the Undertaker, Hippy-Dippy, and Max's grandfather are waiting for them. Enormous caverns of logic exist with the most obvious ones jumping out: where could the Undertaker come up with $10,000 reward money, who would take him seriously, wouldn't his checkered past spring to fluorescent light, and why would he seriously pursue this child in the first place? The emotional center?the gripping relationship between Max and Freak?is sorely missing here; readers are unlikely to connect with any of the cartoonlike characters assembled. The Hollywood ending is also lacking any semblance of credibility. Instead of this title, purchase an additional copy of the first book.?Marilyn Payne Phillips, University City Public Library, MO
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 166 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks; 1St Edition edition (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590579649
• ISBN-13: 978-0590579643
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,344 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #48 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > General

More About the Author

Rodman Philbrick grew up on the New England coast, where he worked as a longshoreman and boat builder. For many years he wrote mysteries and detective novels for adults. Inspired by the life of a boy who lived a few blocks away, he wrote 'Freak The Mighty', the award-winning young-adult novel, which has been translated into numerous languages and is now read in schools throughout the world. The book was adapted to the screen as 'The Mighty', starring Sharon Stone, Gillian Anderson, James Gandolfini, Kieran Culkin, and Elden Henson, with original music provided by Sting.

Rodman Philbrick's novels for young readers include 'The Fire Pony', 'Max the Mighty', 'REM World', 'The Last Book In The Universe', 'The Journal of Douglas Allen Deeds', 'The Young Man And The Sea', and 'The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg', a 2010 Newbery Honor book.

The Private Eye Writers of America nominated two of his T.D.Stash series as best detective novel, and then selected Philbrick's 'Brothers & Sinners' as Best Novel in 1993. A gothic tale of slavery and sea captains, 'Coffins' was published in 2002. Writing under the pen name 'William R. Dantz' he has explored the near-future worlds of genetic engineering and hi-tech brain control in books like 'Hunger', 'Pulse', 'The Seventh Sleeper', and 'Nine Levels Down'. He has published three thrillers under the pen name Chris Jordan - 'Taken', Trapped', and 'Torn' - featuring Randall Shane, a former FBI Special Agent who specializes in recovering lost children. He's just now undertaken a new Chris Jordan series about the very private investigator Naomi Nash, set in Boston. The first volume, 'Measure of Darkness', will be published in December 2011 by Mira Books.

Rod and his wife Lynn Harnett, who have collaborated on a number of series for young readers, including 'The House on Cherry Street' and 'The Werewolf Chronicles', divide their time between Maine and the Florida Keys.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS A MUST READ BOOK!!!!!!!!!!, February 1, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Max The Mighty (Paperback)

Max the Mighty is about a boy named Max.Who Max thinks that he's just a complete idiot and does not have any good qualities at all just because he looks different He meets this girl named Worm. She got the name Worm because the kids at school picked on her for reading too many books. Max helps Worm escape from her step-dad that beats on Worm and her mom. Max is wanted for kidnapping Worm because they go to find Worm's dad in Chivalry, Montana. Worm believes that her dad can help with the problems of Max being wanted and the problem with Worm's step dad beating her and her mom. While they go to Chivalry, Montana, they meet people like the Dippy Hippie who helps them get there.

I do recommend this book because it had a little comedy and a little action plus some serious parts.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Max the mighty is an exciting book., December 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Max the Mighty (Hardcover)

It all starts with a scream for help by Worm. Max the Mighty comes to the rescure saving her from a gangster. Max finds where she lives and takes Worm to find her step dad. What they dont know is they're in for a real ride! I recommend this book especially if you like the book Freak the Mighty.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, November 6, 2003

By 

"vertmaster900" (Miller Place, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Max The Mighty (Paperback)

This book is a great story of the friendship between Max, a kid who is very large for his age and is not too bright, and Rachel, also called "worm" because of her huge interest in reading. The story begins at Max's house, where he lives with his grandma and grandpa, who he calls Gram and Grim. The first couple chapters walk you through a normal day in his life. First, walking to school, trying to avoid hoodlums who live on "the wrong side of the tracks. In his classes, being made fun of for being so big and not being so smart. And lastly, taking the bus, where kids simply annoy and annoy him, even though he could easily beat them up. Then the story turns around and shows you Rachel's horrible home life. Her mom is constantly beaten by her stepfather, a tall, lean man with a heart of stone. When Max realizes this problem, he rescues her and they set off on a long and adventurous journey across the country to find her real dad, who is thought to live in Chivalry, Montana. And this journey has plenty of surprises along the way.

I really liked this book because I felt like I could relate to what some of the characters were going through.

I would highly recommend this book to any child or adult looking for a great story of friendship and determination. Also could be a good book to read along with your child.