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*Shredderman 1: Secret Identity* by Wendelin Van Draanen, illustrated by Brian Biggs - tweens/young readers book review

 
Also by Wendelin Van Draanen:

Sammy Keyes and the Showdown in Sin City
Sammy Keyes and the Power of Justice Jack
The Running Dream
Flipped
Confessions of a Serial Kisser
Runaway
Shredderman 2: Attack of the Tagger

 
Also written and/or illustrated by Brian Biggs:

Brownie and Pearl Step Out

Brownie and Pearl Get Dolled Up
Brownie and Pearl See the Sights
Brownie and Pearl Hit the Hay
Brownie and Pearl Take a Dip
Everything Goes: In the Air
Shredderman 2: Attack of the Tagger
 
Shredderman 1: Secret Identity
by Wendelin Van Draanen, illustrated by Brian Biggs
Grades 3-6 144 pages Yearling April 2006 Paperback    

Getting the school bully to behave just entered the world of technology. Alvin “Bubba” Bixby, the terror of the fifth grade, may have knuckles of steel, but Nolan Byrd, class nerd, has nimble fingers. Nolan decides to expose his archenemy through a few well-placed keystrokes on his computer. He launches a web site called Shredderman.com, where the bad boy’s hijinks are flashed through cyberspace. As Bubba’s dirty dealings are exposed for all to see, he desperately searches for the escape key. Meanwhile, Nolan goes from nerd to superhero faster than a dial-up connection.

Author Wendelin Van Draanen tackles a tough subject with a lighthearted touch. Young readers will understand the fear and frustration a bully poses to any school, yet they will be encouraged by the triumph of the class underdog. Humor dances through these pages, much like a boxer plays with his opponent. The clever, verbal jabs will hit every reader’s funny bone, while giving them something to think about. The black and white illustrations of Brian Biggs color the imagination with a bit of wackiness and a bunch of fun.

The universal appeal of this story is seeing justice prevail. Shredderman is the hero in every child; he’s their thoughts, hopes and dreams. The only difference is that Nolan boldly uses his talents to fight against evil, even though his knobby knees are shaking. Although he doesn’t lift a fist in retaliation, he does raise the level of fighting to new and creative heights. This book has a giant “S” stamped on it for “super”!
   


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  Joyce Handzo/2006 for curled up with a good kid's book  






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