Freak the Mighty

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 26 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. What does Max tell us about himself in the first chapter, and how does it help you understand the way he sees himself?
2. Kevin moves in next door to Max. What makes Kevin seem unusual or interesting, and what do you predict Max might learn from him?
3. Why is the toy bird, or ornithopter, important in this chapter? What does it help show about Kevin and Max?
4. When Max visits Kevin's house, how do Max and Kevin begin to see each other in a new way?
5. The chapter title uses the phrase "spitting image." What does that phrase mean, and why might it be upsetting for Max?
6. How do Max and Kevin handle the problem with Tony D. and his gang? What does this show about each boy?
7. What changes for Max and Kevin when Kevin rides on Max's shoulders? Why do you think they like being together this way?
8. How do Gram and Grim react when they hear about Max and Kevin's adventure? What do their reactions tell you about their fears?
9. Kevin says, "Life is dangerous." What do you think he means, and how does this idea connect to his character?
10. How does the author make the nighttime adventure feel scary or exciting? Use details from the chapter in your answer.
11. How do Max and Kevin help Loretta Lee, and what does their choice show about the kind of heroes they want to be?
12. How do the kids at school treat Max, and how does Kevin help change the way Max feels there?
13. Max and Kevin go to Iggy and Loretta's apartment. Why might this place make Max nervous, and what do you learn about the adults there?
14. Kevin asks Max to make a serious promise. Why do you think this promise matters to Kevin, and why might it be hard for Max?
15. How does Christmas change when Max's father appears? What feelings does Max seem to have in this moment?
16. What does Max learn or remember about his father in this chapter? How does it affect the way Max thinks about himself?
17. How does Killer Kane try to make Max trust him? What clues help you decide whether Max should believe him?
18. Why is Kevin's plan surprising in this chapter? What does it show about Kevin's courage and quick thinking?
19. The "Black Down Under" is an important setting in this part of the story. How does this place add danger or suspense?
20. How do Max and Kevin work together during the rescue? What does this show about their friendship?
21. In this chapter, Kevin's health becomes a serious problem. How do Max's thoughts and feelings show how much Kevin means to him?
22. Kevin talks about his future and the idea of a new body. Do you think he is being hopeful, imaginative, or something else? Explain your thinking.
23. Why does Kevin give Max an empty book? What do you think he wants Max to understand about stories and memory?
24. How does Max react after losing Kevin? What shows that he is dealing with grief in his own way?
25. Loretta tells Max that doing nothing is a drag. How does her advice help Max decide what to do next?
26. Looking back at the whole story, how has Max changed from the beginning to the end? What helped him change the most?

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

When Max visits Kevin's house, how do Max and Kevin begin to see each other in a new way?

I think Max and Kevin start to notice that they can help each other. Max sees that Kevin is very smart and brave, even though his body is small. Kevin sees that Max is not just a big scary kid like some people think. They both begin to understand that they could become friends.

Max and Kevin go to Iggy and Loretta's apartment. Why might this place make Max nervous, and what do you learn about the adults there?

I think Max feels nervous because Iggy and Loretta's apartment seems rough and not very safe. The adults there act strange, and Max does not know if he can trust them. I learned that Iggy and Loretta know about Max's father, which makes the visit even more uncomfortable for Max. This scene shows that Max's past still affects him.

Loretta tells Max that doing nothing is a drag. How does her advice help Max decide what to do next?

Loretta's advice helps Max because it pushes him to stop hiding from his sadness. I think Max realizes that if he does nothing, he will stay stuck feeling lonely and angry. Writing in the empty book gives him a way to remember Kevin and tell their story. It also shows that Max can use his own voice.