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Quick answer: If you loved Freak the Mighty, try Max the Mighty, Wonder, Out of My Mind, Bridge to Terabithia, Fish in a Tree and Rules. Each one is a moving story about unlikely friendship, being different and finding courage.
Rodman Philbrick's 1993 novel is narrated by Max Kane, a big, slow-moving boy who thinks he has no brain. He befriends Kevin, a brilliant boy with a physical disability who walks with crutches. When Kevin rides on Max's shoulders, they become Freak the Mighty, a team of brains and strength who have quests of their own. Readers love its humor, its friendship and its tearful ending. These books share its outsiders and its bonds.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Age | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max the Mighty | Rodman Philbrick | 10-14 | readers who want the sequel |
| Wonder | R.J. Palacio | 8-12 | readers who like kindness |
| Out of My Mind | Sharon M. Draper | 9-12 | readers who like disability stories |
| Bridge to Terabithia | Katherine Paterson | 9-12 | readers ready to cry |
| Fish in a Tree | Lynda Mullaly Hunt | 9-12 | readers who like underdogs |
| Rules | Cynthia Lord | 8-12 | readers who like siblings and difference |
| Wonderstruck | Brian Selznick | 9-12 | readers who like quests |
| Restart | Gordon Korman | 9-13 | readers who like second chances |
| Stargirl | Jerry Spinelli | 11+ | readers who like misfits |
| Holes | Louis Sachar | 9-12 | readers who like friendship |
| Maniac Magee | Jerry Spinelli | 9-12 | readers who like legends |
| The Outsiders | S.E. Hinton | 12+ | readers who like loyal friends |
| Crenshaw | Katherine Applegate | 8-12 | readers who like imagination |
| El Deafo | Cece Bell | 8-12 | readers who like comics |
| Mockingbird | Kathryn Erskine | 10+ | readers who like grief |
1. Max the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
Max helps a girl escape her stepfather.
Best for: readers who want the sequel.
2. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
A boy with a facial difference starts school.
Best for: readers who like kindness.
3. Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
A girl with cerebral palsy proves her intelligence.
Best for: readers who like disability stories.
4. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Two friends create a kingdom.
Best for: readers ready to cry.
5. Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
A girl with dyslexia finds help.
Best for: readers who like underdogs.
6. Rules by Cynthia Lord
A girl with an autistic brother makes a new friend.
Best for: readers who like siblings and difference.
7. Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
Two deaf children go on parallel journeys.
Best for: readers who like quests.
8. Restart by Gordon Korman
A bully loses his memory.
Best for: readers who like second chances.
9. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
A strange girl changes a high school.
Best for: readers who like misfits.
10. Holes by Louis Sachar
A boy digs holes at a strange camp.
Best for: readers who like friendship.
11. Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
A runaway becomes a legend.
Best for: readers who like legends.
12. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Teen gangs clash in Oklahoma.
Best for: readers who like loyal friends.
13. Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
A boy's imaginary cat returns.
Best for: readers who like imagination.
14. El Deafo by Cece Bell
A girl with a hearing aid becomes a superhero.
Best for: readers who like comics.
15. Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
An autistic girl copes with her brother's death.
Best for: readers who like grief.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick is a real, widely available book that shares something specific with Freak the Mighty: its tone, its themes, its pace or the kind of characters it puts at the center. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious titles, and we noted who each book suits best so you can match it to the reader. Where a book belongs to a series, we list the first volume so you can start at the beginning.
If you are not sure where to begin, start with the first three picks in the table: they are the closest match to Freak the Mighty. The rest of the list moves further out, so it works well once you know which part of the original you liked most. If a pick is part of a longer series, read the first book before you commit, and check the age or content notes in the table before passing a book to a younger reader.
How to Choose
Read Max the Mighty next to continue the story. For friendships across differences, Wonder and Out of My Mind are excellent. If you want another emotional read, Bridge to Terabithia is a classic. Restart and Fish in a Tree are great picks for readers who like underdogs.
Related: Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Freak the Mighty about?
A big, quiet boy and a small, brilliant boy team up as Freak the Mighty.
Is Freak the Mighty sad?
Yes. Kevin dies at the end, which makes many readers cry.
What age is it for?
It is often read in grades 6 to 8.
Is there a sequel?
Yes. Max the Mighty.
Is there a movie?
Yes. The 1998 film The Mighty.
What condition does Kevin have?
Morquio syndrome, which affects his growth.
Who narrates the book?
Max Kane.
Why do they call themselves Freak the Mighty?
Together, Kevin's brains and Max's strength make one mighty hero.
What is the lesson of Freak the Mighty?
Friendship and courage can help people overcome how others see them.