Freak the Mighty

Freak the Mighty
by Rodman Philbrick

I was sick in bed for three days this week and happy to have this great book to read (thanks for the recommendation, Ms. Levine!).

Maxwell, an extra-large 12 year old, meets Kevin, A.K.A. Freak--a tiny, extra-smart kid who moves in down the street.
The two of them together become Freak the Mighty; Max carries Freak around on his shoulders because the smaller boy wears leg braces and needs crutches to walk. Best friends, the two boys have many adventures and help each other out in school and in the small town where they are frequently bullied.

When Max is kidnapped by his parole-breaking father, the adventure turns dark. Max needs to use the new-found confidence Freak has helped him discover in order to survive, and to move forward when tragedy strikes.