Book 7: Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

Mighty Max doesn't really have any friends. He's big and scary looking, and he's learning disabled, dumb too. When Freak, also known as Kevin moves down the street they become friends. Freak is a little over three feet high and knows everything, at least that's how Max sees it. The two have always been picked on and bullied by classmates and others, but together, with brains and strengh and a height of more than seven feet ,they become Freak the Mighty! The book's themes are bullying and friendship. It would be especially encouraging for kids who experience bullying or aren't seem as very smart. It turns out throughout the book that Max isn't "dumb", when Freak explains what they're learning in school to him, he understands. That could be encouraging to kids who feel ostracized from others. A great great read!