Story Elements
In what point of view is the story being told?
First person point of view (1st POV). Max is telling the story.
What does Kevin love to spend his time doing (other than going on quests)?
Read and learning
What does the word heave mean: "I hook my hands in the storm drain grate and give it a heave but nothing happens. ‘I can’t budge it.’ ” (60).
Tug/pull
What figurative language is:
Womp, Womp! Oooooh!
Onomatopoeia
What does Max mean: "I never had a brain until Freak came along and let me borrow his for a while, and that's the truth, the whole truth."
He depends on (benefits from) Kevin's intelligence
The first person point of view helps the reader understand Max's ...
feelings and thoughts
Why doesn't Max want to be the "spitting image" of his father?
Everyone in town knows that Max's father went to prison.
What does the word fluttering mean: “I‘m not really hearing what she’s saying because there’s like this little bird fluttering around in my chest...”
moving lightly and quickly
What does the phrase: "Good riddance to bad rubbish" (73) mean?
Kevin is happy that his father left and is not in his life.
Why does Max say: “Even though I’m not sure what he means, I go, 'That’s cool’ “ (13).
Max is eager to befriend Freak and doesn't want to show that the dooesn't understand him.
How does Max respond when his father kidnaps him?
He freezes and goes quiet.
How does Max describe (think of) Kevin?
As physically weak but very intelligent.
What does the word hunched mean: “I’m sitting in the corner of the room, down on the floor with my knees all hunched up, and I don’t even remember how I got there.”
bent over, bunched, curled up
What is Freak's tone when Max is called to the principal's office and he's told he cannot go with him? (page 83)
annoyed
Why does Kevin talk so much about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table?
He is intelligent, reads a lot and has a good imagination.
What does the conflict with Blade (Tony D) and his gang show about Max and Freak?
That they work well together and are a team
How dooes Max describe himself (thinks about himself)?
He is physically strong but not very smart.
What does the word divulge mean: "Now swear on your heart that the data you are about to receive will be divulged to no one" (51).
How does the author tell (structure) the story?
Describing a series of events that change Max's life
Why does Freak tell Max he wants to get a bionic body?
He wants to give himself and Max hope
What is a theme in this novel about friendship?
True friendship can change a person.
Why does Max like Freak riding on his shoulders?
He really likes having a smart brain on his shoulders, helping him think.
What does the word archetype mean: “A dragon is the fear of the natural world,” Freak says. “An archetype of the unknown.”
an original example or symbol
In the end, what clues show that Kevin knew he would not survive the surgery?
He writes a book for Max with all of his adventures to be rememebered by.