Enemy Spy

Shredderman #4

by Wendelin Van Draanen

Shredderman.com just made the national news! Everyone is talking about the new cyber-superhero. Oh yeah!

But now people are dying to know who is behind Shredderman.com. Reporters are snooping all over Cedar Valley! Oh no!

Nolan's parents and even his sidekick, Mr. Green, think he should lay low for a while. But being Shredderman is the best thing that's ever happened to Nolan. It's so much better than being Byrd-the-Nerd. Plus, Nolan's just stumbled across what might be a real spy-ring! How can Shredderman not try to fight it?

But some problems are too big for even a superhero to handle. Sometimes the mask gets in the way. Will Nolan's quest for truth and justice mean he has to give up his secret identity? Can he become a superhero in real life?

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Humor, Mystery, Childrens, Young Adult, Novels, Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Wendelin Van Draanen has written more than thirty novels for young readers and teens. She is the author of the 18-book Edgar-winning Sammy Keyes series, and wrote Flipped which was named a Top 100 Children’s Novel for the 21st Century by SLJ, and became a Warner Brothers feature film with Rob Reiner directing. Her novel The Running Dream was awarded ALA’s Schneider Family Award for its portrayal of the disability experience.

Van Draanen's latest book, Hope in the Mail, is part memoir, part writing guided, designed to encourage aspiring writers to pursue their dream.

Van Draanen is also the author of two short chapter-book series. The Gecko & Sticky books, are fun read-alouds, perfect for reluctant readers, and the Shredderman books—featuring a boy who deals with a bully—received the Christopher Award for “affirming the highest values of the human spirit” and became a Nickelodeon made-for-TV movie.

Van Draanen was a classroom teacher for fifteen years. She and her husband reside in California and have two sons.

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The spying and coincidences jump the shark in this final book, but my 8-yr-old thinks the story is really cool.

I love the changes in the kids and interactions with Bubba and others. Nolan's realizations of his power to slowly cause positive change in kids, and power to negatively affect those close to him are great. I think the messages were positive for my boys.

Good middle grade series.

[Mike Pritchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the final book in the Shredderman series, Nolan (aka Shredderman) gets caught up in an international spy ring. This happens when Nolan is out for a ride on his bike and gets a flat tire. He finds a bridge with a stream running underneath it, and two people show up at different times to exchange government secrets. When Nolan finds papers with formulas on it, he mails it to the police, and that leads to the arrest of his parents and teacher. The media is already pressuring to reveal Nolan’s secret identity, and Nolan getting stumbling across in this spy ring could reveal his identity in a bad way. Towards the end of the book, the identity of Shredderman is revealed for all the right reasons, and the police and media that believed Shredderman was a part of the spy ring realize that he was in fact shutting it down. Nolan becomes a big-time hero and is credited for his bravery.

I believe Enemy Spy is my favourite Shredderman book. Like I mentioned towards the end of the summary, Nolan demonstrates a lot of bravery. He does suffer some consequences of his actions, but his bravery is able to resolve those consequences. Not only does he save his parents and teacher after they are arrested, he even saved his country from the international spy ring, even though that meant giving up his secret identity. When his classmates realize that he is Shredderman, he is immediately liked by all of them. He is even approached by Bubba Bixby, the sole reason he became Shredderman. At the end of the book, he is contemplating taking the site down, before he realizes that he made an inspiration to children around the world. Students in other schools follow in his footsteps and start doing good deeds around their schools, which is a big deal.

This series shows that you can make change. It obviously doesn’t have to involve actions like shutting down spy rings or challenging the media, but you can start out small and stand up to a bully or anyone else that gives you a hard time. Doing little things can encourage others to do the same. I believe that is part of what this series is about. No one should be afraid to protect themselves or others around them. Anyone that reads this series should know that they can make change, and it can be down with little effort.

[Miss Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

FIC VAN

The ending of Shredderman is the best one so far. Nolan is in the wrong place at the wrong time. His ENTHUSIASM for solving mysteries might get him into trouble with the law, if not him, those he loves. Because he's so KNOWLEDGEABLE he can think about what adults may do and save himself some struggles. His COMMITMENT to solving the mystery of the Enemy Spy takes him to new heights, and Bubba is going to be there the whole time.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending of Shredderman is the best one so far. Nolan is in the wrong place at the wrong time. His ENTHUSIASM for solving mysteries might get him into trouble with the law, if not him, those he loves. Because he's so KNOWLEDGEABLE he can think about what adults may do and save himself some struggles. His COMMITMENT to solving the mystery of the Enemy Spy takes him to new heights, and Bubba is going to be there the whole time.

[K Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfying wrap up. The crime in this becomes scary I'm grateful proper authorities come in to "take over " and the full circle closes.

[claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great series

[Nick Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satisfying ending to a great kids series. My 6/8 year-olds loved it!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long live Shredderman! I love these books and I love the conclusion to Nolan’s story. It is all so satisfying.

The fight for truth and
Justice is real so watch out
For the Shredderman!

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this fourth installment in the Shredderman series, Nolan’s crime-fighting secret identity is endangered when he witnesses the trading of classified papers for cash. He finds an unlikely ally when the story breaks and a nosy reporter creates more trouble for him, his parents, and his teacher Mr. Green, who stands accused of taking the documents. Van Draanen’s smart, techno-savvy hero will have kids cheering for Shredderman as he proves again that everyone can make a difference in the world, no matter how small or powerless he feels. A dynamic character who is reminded that people are not always what they seem, Nolan fights for what he believes in, takes responsibility for his actions, and learns from his mistakes. The Shredderman series is good for classroom reading in grades 2-4, encouraging discussion on truth, justice, judging by appearances, and personal responsibility.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth and final book in the Shredderman series. I was disappointed to learn it would be the last, but after reading it, I understand why. In the series, he starts by “shredding” on a bully in his classroom, In book 2, he deals with some issues that are at the school & city level. Book 3: national figure visiting his community. Book 4: international intrigue! Was this intentional? I wonder. And it’s not just because of the international scope that the series had to end, but I won’t spoil it for you by giving it away. More reinforcement of how everyone is Shredderman, how everyone can fight for truth and justice where they live.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Wendelin Van Draanen. I love the whole premise of Nolan- I love that he is a big, lovable nerd, it's awesome. This was a really fun book, especially with the fun twist near the end. Loved that! I read this a few years ago and then listened to this book on tape, wow! The kid, Daniel who reads it, is an incredible actor. It was so engaging that we listened to it over and over in the car, me and my kiddos.

[Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shredderman is a great book about a nerdy kid at school who makes a website to expose school bullies. He hides behind the name of Shredderman and has become a nationwide hit. Nobody knows who shredderman really is but when he discovers a hundred thousand dollar trade off it might expose his hidden identity to the world. I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who likes books about spies, superheroes And annoying news reporters

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nolan gets himself into dangerous territory when he goes after real spies. In addition, his dad has been potentially compromising his own job as a reporter by hiding Shredderman's identity. Luckily, his not-quite-friendship with Bubba pays off when Bubba gets them both out of a tight spot. The story feels complete with this book.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best in the series. Biggest laugh out loud part: Nolan blocking Chatty the reporter from getting to the scene where his parents and favorite teacher were taken for questioning by sloooowwwly riding his bike down the road: Doity-doity-doity-doy.

[Andrew kurosaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Shredderman book yet. Nolan went all spy style with his cool gadgets. It was so awesome I finished it in a day.

Actually I finished all the books in a day, but nether the less it was the best.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The problem with Shredderman is my oldest three kids liked it so much, they all finished it on their own, one by one, leaving me with a smaller and smaller audience until I had no one left to read to but myself. :)

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

My oldest gave this 9 stars out of 5. Clearly a fan. My youngest gave it 4 stars because he didn't like that Shredderman's identity was revealed. We loved the narration. Great way to run errands around town ... listening to a adventure story.

[Readersaurus · Rating 5 out of 5]

We (my 9 year old & I) loved it! The best Shredderman yet.

[Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all the other books in this series and I want to read the rest!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another of my son's school books. I liked this book, and think it is great for 2nd-5th graders.

[Tyreek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome... I finished it the second day because i'm the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Malisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nolan loved this book (series)...of course it didn't hurt that the main character is a boy named NOLAN!!!

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is the last book in the series. I read this book because I read the other three. The other books in the series were good.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun listen!

Now to read Shredderman 1.

Address fitting-in at school. Bullying.

This character has family support.

[Bernardo Vaca Diez ניצן]

i thought that shredderman is a spy and has very intresting books

[Angelbramasco]

i think is a good book i will read it all day yup

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

i absolutly loved this book since page 3. I think it was a great book. I highly recremed this book to lots of people.

[Shelley Pelc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great choice for readers who have made the transition to chapter books but still need a lower reading level. This series will be among my most recommended.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great! I love that this is a real boy. Love the series.

[Bailey Johannes]

Looks like it would be very visual and graphic.