The Mighty [Paperback]

Rodman Philbrick (Author)

Book Description

The award-winning novel Freak the Mighty is now a holiday major motion picture release! Starring Sharon Stone, Gillian Anderson, Kieran Culkin, Harry Dean Stanton and Gena Rowlands, this is the hilarious, inspirational story of 13-year-old Maxwell Kane, a giant boy in size 14 shoes who's slow in school, short on courage, and long on not fitting in. Then he meets Kevin, a tiny Einstein in leg braces with more smarts, lip and nerve than any kid in town. Together they form an unbeatable combination--an imposing force with an iron will and a wild imagination.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Read by Elden Henson
Two cassettes / 3 hours 16 mins.

Meet Maxwell Kane, narrator of The Mighty.  He's a timid soul stuck in the body of a teenage giant with size 14 shoes.  Hounted by a dark secret in his past, he hides out in his basement room, avoiding the world.  When a new kid moves in next door--a small, brainy boy with leg braces and a major attitude--Max's life changes forever.  The two outcasts from the 'normal' world team up to become Freak The Mighty.

Like knights of old they defend the weak, right every wrong--and solve the mysteery of Max's past.  Proving once and for all that courage comes in all sizes. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Rodman Philbrick published more than 15 adult mystery and suspense novels before writing Freak The Mighty.  He and his wife, novelist Lynn Harnett, divide their time between Maine and the Florida Keys.

READER BIO:
Elden Henson, who plays Mas in the feature film is currently attending college where he studies film.  His previous work includes acting roles on television and in film including The Mighty Ducks 1,2 & 3. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 169 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks; First later printing edition (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590110225
• ISBN-13: 978-0590110228
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #845,939 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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

5.0 out of 5 stars Good story, great message for junior high students, December 15, 2010

By 

teacher mom "teacher mom" (Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Mighty (Paperback)

When I taught junior high English, this was one of my favorite books to teach. Boys and girls alike loved this story. Because it is told from the point of view of a junior high boy with a learning disability, the voice is engaging and enjoyable. As these two boys develop a deep friendship, they learn about King Arthur, chivalry, and quests. Max ends up learning he's not as dumb as he thought he was and that although he looks like his father, he's nothing like him as a person.

This is a story with a message about the power of friendship, overcoming obstacles, and being the author of one's own destiny. It is a must-read for junior high students, especially boys. This is one you might want to read with your kids, since there will be many valuable lessons you can discuss together.

4.0 out of 5 stars An emotional rollercoaster, January 19, 2006

By 

Young Streezy 6 "Streezy" (ATL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mighty (Paperback)

An emotional roller coaster

"The Mighty", by Rodman Philbrick, is an excellent fiction novel that really moved me. The theme of this book, or at least one of them, is that two complete opposites can come together to make a friendship and a team. This story is about two kids: Maxwell Kane, a timid, gentle giant who is slow in school and haunted by a secret of his past times. He likes to hang out in his room in the basement (the dungeon) where he is isolated from everyone else. The other kid is Kevin. He is a smart kid with leg braces and a big heart. These two opposites combine with Kevin's sense of adventure to make for a heartwarming and exciting story. This author makes an excellent plot in this book. Two kids don't have to take to any bullying. This book teaches kids to stand up for themselves. Rodman Philbrick does an excellent job of tying together comedy, adventure, and heartbreak all into one book. This book is one that will affect the heart and minds of many people. The plot was so amazing that nobody would ever want to put it down. Rodman Philbrick wrote an excellent story with "The Mighty" and I am now going to search for more of his titles.

4.0 out of 5 stars Listening instead of reading "The Mighty", May 20, 2004

By 

JMO (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mighty (Audio Cassette)

I really enjoyed listening to this story on cassette. This is a story about two boys, Kevin and Maxwell, who don't really fit in with everyone else. They become best friends and do everything together. Some of the story was a little slow but got a little more exciting when Maxwell's father came back to town after being in prison. He was in prison for killing his wife, Max's mother. I would recommend others to listen to this audio. While listening to the story, you kind of become part of it because you are picturing it in your mind using your imagination.