Meet the Gecko

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6 - The endearing cyber-superhero, Shredderman, otherwise known as Nolan Byrd, exposes yet another annoying nuisance through the use of his anonymous Web site. The 11-year-old's favorite television superhero, The Gecko, comes to his hometown of Cedar Valley to shoot an episode, and Nolan's father, a newspaper reporter, is assigned to cover the story. The boy not only gets to meet Chase Morton, but also plays video games with him, and the two form a friendship. School bully Bubba Bixby also wants to meet the popular on-screen personality, causing even more tension between the two boys. As Nolan witnesses Bubba's resentment toward him, he learns that sometimes being a superhero is about "being bigger than yourself," and invites Bubba to meet Chase. Nolan is also successful in exposing an unethical photographer, causing quite a stir in the journalism community. The protagonist's strength in rising above his fear of Bubba and showing compassion for him is gently and poignantly portrayed. Reluctant readers will find this book accessible, and the use of modern technology to fight the "bad guys" is an appealing inclusion. - Jennifer Cogan, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, MD Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


From Booklist
Gr. 3-5. Nolan Byrd is delighted to learn that the cast of his favorite television show The Gecko and Sticky is coming to his town to film an episode. He's even more pleased when his journalist father announces that he's been assigned to interview Chase Morton, the young star of the show, and invites Nolan along. Chase and Nolan hit it off immediately, and Chase confesses his fear of a whacked-out reporter called the Mole, who has been stalking him. Nolan takes a picture of the Mole committing an act of vandalism and spreads the information through his Internet alter ego, Shredderman. At the same time, Nolan reaches out to his nemesis, Bubba Bixby. This is the third in the Shredderman series, all of which feature short chapters and a lighthearted, fast-moving story, with Nolan serving as a true hero, despite his geeky ways. Todd Morning
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


From the Inside Flap
Even superheroes have problems. That’s what Nolan discovers when he meets Chase Morton, the boy who plays his favorite TV superhero on The Gecko and Sticky. Chase is being hounded by a sleazy tabloid reporter who is evil! Sneaky! A liar! So Nolan vows to expose the truth on Shredderman.com. After all, superheroes have to stick together in the fight for truth and justice. Oh, yeah!


About the Author
Wendelin Van Draanen enjoys the “three Rs”: reading, running, and rock ’n’ roll. The author lives in central CA.

Brian Biggs is an illustrator, designer, graphic novelist, and accordion player. He lives in Philadelphia, PA.


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Fifth-grade math prodigy Nolan Byrd and his secret identity-Internet Superhero Shredderman-returns for a third adventure. Nolan's reporter father lands the sweet assignment of interviewing pre-teen TV sensation Chase Morton a.k.a. The Gecko. "The Gecko and Sticky" is Nolan's favorite show, and he gets to tag along because it's his birthday. The boys hit it off, and Nolan decides to have Shredderman help Chase get rid of a particularly nasty paparazzi called "The Mole." Digital photos, sneaky camera work and Shredderman's Web site put an end to the Mole's slimy career. Nolan is also able to extend the hand of friendship to his former adversary, Bubba Bixby who is also a fan by taking "Alvin" with him to meet their idol. Reluctant readers, be they old fans or new, will enjoy the humor, swift pacing, and Biggs's heavy-line cartoon illustrations. Cyber-hero fun for everyone, and, of course, future installments are on the way. (Fiction. 7-11)


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