SOLVED. About a boy whose insides grow too fast [s]

[Roya]

I'm trying to find a book about a genius boy who has a disease where his insides grow too fast for his body. I read it when I was in 5th grade, so it's intended for ages 10-13. He would pretend to be superman and he called his mom a goddess. He made a friend who was huge, and they went on adventures together. Eventually the ending up escaping from some guy with a gun in the ghetto. The little boy died at the end.

Thanks for your help!

[Cathy]

I haven't read it but is it Freak the Mighty?

[rivka]

Cathy wrote: "I haven't read it but is it Freak the Mighty?"

That would be my guess, and I have read it (and seen the movie, too).

[Clare K. R.]

I agree that it's probably Freak the Mighty, but didn't he call his mom Gwen the Fair (as in Gwenhwyfar, the wife of King Arthur)? That would be the part I remember, I have always loved Arthurian legend :D

[Roya]

Yes, that's what it is! Thank you!

[Jena]

I never had a brain until Freak came along, and that's the truth. The whole truth. The unvanquished truth is how Freak would say it, and for a long time, it was him who did the talking...

Or something like that. I used to have the first couple of pages memorized (from reading them to my classes to spark some interest). Love that book! And Max thought Freak called his mom the Fair Gwen of Air, 'cause that's how it sounded to him.

[Roya]

Yeah, it's a really good book:)