"Wa-hoo! for Shredderman, and kudos to Van Draanen for delivering a character-driven series that's spot-on for middle-graders and great for reluctant readers, especially boys."Booklist, Starred
"Van Draanen knows exactly how to get to the heart of kids and their problems. With ingenuity, determination and a touch of brilliance, Nolan turns around the lives of many of his classmates. A guaranteed winner."Chicago Sun-Times
"This book is definitely cool: it looks like a graphic novel, with funky black-and-white cartoon art to break up the pages."San Francisco Chronicle.
The Barnes & Noble Review
Never fear, Shredderman is here! Wendelin Van Draanen, author of the popular Sammy Keyes series, leaps to literary heights with this early-middle-grade series about a boy who puts on his thinking cap to battle the school bully.
It's sad to say, but it's true: Nolan Byrd is Cedar Valley Elementary's No. 1 nerd. But when Bubba Bixby -- a nasty bully who enjoys tipping over kids' lunch trays, calling names, and swiping stuff -- pushes Nolan a little too far, the brainiac boy decides to build a web site dedicated to outing Bubba's shenanigans. With photos of Bubba's pranks and plenty of cool graphics, Nolan's anonymous site, Shredderman.com, soon becomes the talk of the school. In the end, Nolan is thrilled that Bubba gets his comeuppance, and after he gets a surprise "sidekick," he sees that the bully's problems stem from something deeper than mere meanness (even though Bubba's not changing anytime soon!).
Three cheers for Shredderman! Van Draanen has created a "superhero" who speaks wonderfully to all the underdogs out there looking for justice. Kids will surely be looking to devour more episodes, and Brian Biggs's wacky illustrations make for an on-target complement. A crackerjack read for boys and fans of Jon Scieszka's Time Warp Trio or Megan McDonald's Judy Moody.
Matt Warner
In one corner we have Bubba Bixby, who "was born big and mean, full of teeth and ready to bite." In the other, there's Nolan Byrd, who adores math, power walking, and most of all, computers. Kids will find themselves cheering this smartie who fights back, not with his fists, but with a creative cyber-weapon. Short chapters make this an excellent choice for younger readers. (Ages 8 to 12)
Child magazine's Best Children's Book Awards 2004
Shredderman: Secret Identity; Attack of the Tagger Wendelin Van Draanen, illus. by Brian Biggs. Random/Yearling, $5.50 each ISBN 0-440-41912-3; 0-440-41913-1. PW said, "Van Draanen launches a one-man Revenge of the Nerds for the elementary crowd." Ages 7-10. (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Gr 2–4
Fifth grader Nolan Byrd's nickname at school is "Byrd the Nerd"—a title bestowed on him by the relentless school bully, Bubba Bixby. Inspired by a class project, Nolan decides he is finally going to fight back. He sets up a Web page using the alias "Shredderman" and provides the scoop on everything Bubba—from Bubba jokes to video and pictures of Bubba caught in the act of tormenting his classmates. Then, to make sure the message finds its audience, he scatters confetti with the Web address across the school playground. Wendelin Van Draanen's amusing tale (Knopf, 2004) is brought to life by talented 11-year-old Daniel Young who convincingly voices the adults and the children. This delightful combination of thought-provoking material and laugh-out-loud moments will delight listeners.-Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT
Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
In a Sammy Keyes for younger readers, Van Draanen opens a new series featuring a fifth-grade math wiz with this quick-paced take on the perennial "dealing with a bully" theme. Weary of being terrorized by Alvin "Bubba" Bixby while grown-ups turn a blind eye, Nolan "Byrd-the-Nerd" Byrd installs a digital camera in his backpack to catch Bubba in the act, and then posts the incriminating photos on a secretly created Web site. The ploy does get Bixby in hot water, particularly with his (predictably) abusive father-but the author suggests more effective alternative strategies by having Nolan gain the self-confidence to stand up to bullying, even at the price of being beaten up, and to refuse to play the nickname game. Biggs contributes sketchy "Beavis and Butthead"-style vignettes; the author adds a supporting cast of unconventional characters, and pushes off a rolling tangle of subplots to set the stage for further exploits from "Shredderman." They should get an enthusiastic welcome. (Fiction. 8-10)
Fifth-grader Nolan Byrd, long tormented by his classmate, the brutish Bubba, goes undercover as “Shredderman” to expose the bully. Using the technological expertise that has earned him the nickname “Byrd the Nerd,” Shredderman turns the tables on Bubba and becomes an avenging legend. Daniel Young, age 11, has an appropriately higher-pitched voice that is perfect for this narration. His rhythm, intonation, and expressiveness project the tone of a boy on a mission. Occasionally, the pace is uneven and the words garbled, but Young triumphs in the role of Nolan. The jazzy music and sound effects further add to the performance. This story will be enjoyed by anyone who has fantasized about exacting justice. M.H.N. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine