Rodman Philbrick’s work Freak the Mighty is an interesting example of a novel for young adults. According to the plot, two very different guys meet in the book. Max is a silent, shy, and clumsy giant. Kevin is small, quick-witted, and terminally ill. They reacted differently to what was happening around them because they had different views on life. For example, Max, being strong, was afraid to stand up for himself because of his character, and Kevin, although he had intellectual abilities for this, could not because of his physique.
Although the guys are quite different, they have something in common: they are not accepted by society. This is a fairly common problem among schoolchildren who often become targets for bullying. Unfortunately, there are not many ways to get through this growing-up period calmly. Although Max and Kevin are different, they are equally concerned about their relationships with others.
It was hard for the guys to find a common language, but over time they realized that it would be more convenient for them to stick together. Since then, Max began to sometimes carry Kevin on his shoulders, so they created one big “giant” (Philbrick, 2015). Undoubtedly, this is a symbolic depiction of the relationship between two teenagers. This means that by combining their forces, they are much more powerful and influential than separately.
Together they went through many adventures and overcame various difficulties, such as finding a bionics department in a hospital and a meeting with bikers. It is more interesting for the guys to go through it together, sharing emotions and feeling a friend’s reliability. This allows them to combine their strengths and use them to achieve their goals.
The end of the story is not favorable: the disease defeats Kevin. However, before his death, he gives Max a book in which he must write about their adventures (Philbrick, 2015). This way, their friendship, adventures, and experiences remain forever on paper. This can be called a happy ending, as it allows other young people to believe in a bright future and follow the example of positive characters.
Reference
Philbrick, R. (2015). Freak the Mighty. Usborne Publishing Limited.