Shredderman: Secret Identity - Softcover

Van Draanen, Wendelin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0440419123 ISBN 13: 9780440419129

Publisher: Yearling, 2006

Synopsis

Alvin Bixby: Hulking, knuckles of steel, hideous breath, foul temper. Kids call him: Bubba.

Nolan Byrd: Puny, power walker, math genius, can’t keep shoes tied. Kids call him: Nerd.

Bubba has been the bane of Nolan’s existence for five long years. So when Mr. Green asks the class to become reporters, Nolan decides he’ll write an exposé—on Bubba. He doesn’t want to sign his name to it (that’d be suicidal), so Nolan creates a secret identity for himself—on the Internet. He launches Shredderman.com as a place where truth and justice prevail—and bullies get what’s coming to them.

This hilariously triumphant story is for any kid who’s ever dreamed of unleashing their own inner superhero!

About this title

Review:

Fifth-grader Nolan Byrd has suffered at the hands of school bully Bubba Bixby for too long. Inspired by a class project, Nolan (a.k.a "Byrd-the-Nerd") creates a "cyber-superhero" alter ego called Shredderman, and sets out to avenge himself and his fellow Bubba-sufferers. Our likeable but nerdly and put-upon protagonist spots his shot at redemption when Mr. Green (Nolan's pony-tailed teacher, a.k.a. "the Happy Hippie") assigns the class's monthly project: Students must create a newspaper page, complete with stories and photos, on a topic of their choice. In a flash, Nolan realizes he has the perfect subject: "I had an idea that would make Bubba Bixby sorry he'd ever called us names. Or swiped our stuff. Or breathed his trashy breath down our throats. I’d do my report on Bubba Bixby!" Shortly thereafter Shredderman is born, and Nolan springs into action, armed with a computer, a cleverly concealed digital camera, and his own top-secret Web page, Shredderman.com, "where truth and justice prevail!"

Wendelin Van Draanen, author of How I Survived Being a Girl, and the super-cool Sammy Keyes mysteries series, has all sorts of fun here, taking a traditional bully-comeuppance tale and adding some high-tech cyber twists. Her descriptions prove as playful as ever, "Bubba Bixby's got rocky knuckles. And killer breath;" and her goofy cast is made even more memorable by the lively work of first-time kids' book illustrator Brian Biggs. (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes

About the Author:

Wendelin Van Draanen spent many years as a classroom teacher and is now a full-time writer. She is the author of many award-winning books, including the Sammy Keyes mysteries, Flipped, Swear to Howdy, Runaway, and Confessions of a Serial Kisser. Ms. Van Draanen lives with her husband, two sons, and two dogs in California. Her hobbies include the “three R’s”: reading, running, and rock ’n’ roll. Wendelin Van Draanen and her husband are also the founders of Exercise the Right to Read, a nationwide campaign designed to get kids reading and running and to help schools raise funds for their libraries. Ms. Van Draanen ran her first marathon when the campaign kicked off, and seeing athletes with disabilities running strong provided much of the inspiration for this book. To read more about Wendelin Van Draanen’s books, please visit WendelinVanDraanen.com, and to learn more about Exercise the Right to Read, visit ExercisetheRighttoRead.org.

Brian Biggs was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. He currently makes illustrations for books, posters, puzzles, and games in an old garage in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Visit his website at www.mrbiggs.com.

About this edition

• Publisher: Yearling
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0440419123
• ISBN 13: 9780440419129
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144
• Illustrator: Biggs Brian