Meet the Gecko

Shredderman #3

by Wendelin Van Draanen

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!

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Fiction, Mystery, Humor, Novels, Middle Grade

176 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

[Angela Sollom · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son liked these books so much, he couldn't wait for me to finish them. He read them himself and then informed me that I had to read them because they were so good. I liked the message in the books and Zach would give them all 5 stars!

[Kaylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shredderman: Meet the gecko by Wendelin Vaun Draanen is about a book about a boy with many challenges and surprises. This book is very interesting especially if you like superheroes and going undercover. This book is a series but I honestly could read all of them in a month because they are all interesting just by the title. They might look like a simple book but it has deeper meanings. I recommend this book to people who love superheroes and action!

[Lorrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea was that my grandson might like to listen to this audio while in the car bothh to and from daycare. He's only 2 1/2 and this book is a little too old for him. Although he did enjoy hearing "butt" words, etc. He giggled whenever something silly was said. I'm not sure he knew what was going on. He definitely prefers the children's songs and nursery rhymes still at this point. Maybe we'll try this one again when he gets a little older.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, another one of my major concerns from the first book gets resolved. Nolan is learning a bit about compassion, and reaching out to others. Oh, and the Shredderman angle and meeting The Gecko (his favorite TV hero) is entertaining as well!

[Mike Pritchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the third book of the Shredderman series, the set of Meet the Gecko, Nolan Byrd’s favourite television show, comes to Cedar Valley to film an episode in Old Town. Nolan’s father, Steven, is a reporter, and is invited to the set to write an article. He invites Nolan along, and when they get there, Nolan meets the actor of the show. Nolan learns of a news reporter that is out to make him look bad by lying, and Nolan quickly wants to put him out of business. After some investigating, and some bad actions being caught in the act, Nolan eventually succeeds, and the reporter is eventually shut down. Once again, truth and justice prevail, and Shredderman wins again.

This book shows that there are unfortunately bad people out there. In my opinion, with some effort, the books shows that the good and kindness in people can prevail. It doesn’t take much to shut down evil, and in the case of this book, it only takes one person to expose the truth. I don’t want to upset or offend anyone with this review, and I apologize if I have, but, at least in Canada, our media seems to make up some of its information. Some Canadians will likely disagree with this statement, but I do believe news agencies aren’t entirely truthful at times. The book shows that we can overpower the lying side of the media, and with little effort. For those apolitical people reading this review, I’m not trying to bring politics into this, as I am apolitical myself.

For any adults or teenagers reading this book and have the same beliefs I do, I believe you can enjoy this book without looking at the reality side of it. This book can be enjoyed without all of that. I know I enjoyed it without comparing it to reality. I don’t know if this is common or not, but I can photographically draw out images in my head, developed by the text I’m looking at. For me, no matter how much the book compares to the real world, I am able to put all that aside and play out the images in my head instead. For those that don’t or have never been able to do it, I recommend you try it. I love that I can do it. It helps me get lost in the book I’m reading and away from the stressors that the real world can cause.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was wary, but I thought the set-up for Nolan to meet the TV star kid was well done. I loved his interactions with Bubba in this one as well. I am a sucker for kindness overcoming hate plots, even if they are a tad unrealistic in the maturity department. The conflict between Nolan and his parents is well done as well. It's not sappy, but it's not spiteful--just real. Nolan starts to see how his actions could affect his parents and teacher.

The first email about the bad reporter shows how this book has not aged well--it would be rejected as silly spam, even by those who disliked the reporter. The second video would do the trick though.

[Mia Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg the book Shredderman Meet the Gecko by Wendelin Vaun Draanen is such a great book. It is a very cool book. I like this book because it's about a little boy who's a superhero. He goes undercover to find out things and is a very famous superhero but no one knows who he really is. This book is very interesting and it will leave you wanting more. I recommend this book to people who like superheroes.

[Miss Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

FIC VAN

When Nolan meets his all time favorite TV star things get exciting. "The Gecko" has a bully of his own and Shredderman is going to do everything he can to fix the problem. When "Bubba" wants to meet "The Gecko" Nolan has EMPATHY for him and arranges them to meet. Will this change the way "Bubba" is, will he actually show that he CARES.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Nolan meets his all time favorite TV star things get exciting. "The Gecko" has a bully of his own and Shredderman is going to do everything he can to fix the problem. When "Bubba" wants to meet "The Gecko" Nolan has EMPATHY for him and arranges them to meet. Will this change the way "Bubba" is, will he actually show that he CARES.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these books. Shredderman is on the case of how to deal with a paparazzi cameraman who’s out of control. But along the way he also learns some good lessons on how to deal with people a little closer to home.

Even Shredderman
Knows that kindness is the best
Long term strategy.

[K Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Age appropriate activities, fun conversations, excellent "heroes "!

[True Exp ImOnYT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved all the shredderman books recommend to everyone!

[claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 😀📚

[Nick Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another awesome kids adventure from this series, Nolan learns more heroic ways to deal with his nemesis while also making new friends along the way.

[Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Mr.Hudson I'm reading a book called Shredderman Meet the Gecko by Wendelin Van Draanen.

So far the story is about Nolan he is going to see the gecko one of his favorite character in his favorite TV show and its for his birthday. At school at the playground he over heard that Bubba Bixby was trying to go there to.

I predicted before I read and I don't know if my prediction is correct yet.

My reactions of the part that I'm reading is why does the school bully want to go see the gecko and Nolan is lucky to see a character in a TV program. I Think the author wrote this book because maybe she was in a school that there was a bully and a kid that goes and sees a character in a TV Program. I cant really find any theme right now because I'm only in the 1 chapter. I think the character Bubba will need to get manner just like Michael in Michael's Manners and Nolan he should continue being how he is like right now.

Kind Regards,
Lloyd

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wendelin came to visit my school this year and gave a vibrant presentation, which led me to pick up her books. It was very interesting to hear her background and what led her to these pieces. In her head she heard a male narrators voice which led to this series of books (her previous series Sammie Keys. My librarian, as a result of the kids requests, ordered several of Wendelin. I managed to snag one and was thoroughly entertained. This is a great example of how a series can snag a kid and keep them reading.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I breezed through all four books as if they were one, so I didn't have the complaints that some readers did. In this one, Nolan gets to meet his hero, the Gecko. As it turns out, the Gecko has another super-fan--Nolan's nemesis, Bubba. Nolan gets to use more spy gear and tactics in this one. He also uses the goodness of his heart to help Bubba out, helping the series transcend its original anti-bullying theme.

[Kerrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book the most out of the whole series. Good lesson about forgiveness and moving on instead of holding grudges. I also really enjoy how easy and quick these books are. They're to the point and many students can relate to the issues of bullying, being different, and struggling to have friends. Great book!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pros: Positive parental relationships, particularly with Dad. Kindness/understanding for bully in appropriate context. Fun tone. Proactive.

Things to be aware of: Shredderman tries to track down a paparazzi and essentially does to him what he does to everyone else. Almost complete parental deference to child.

Themes: bullies, mystery, video games, truth and justice

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superhero Shredderman meets TV superhero The Gecko and Stinky and gets caught up in catching The Mole, a no-good paparazzi journalist out to make trouble for Chase, the actor behind The Gecko. How far does Nolan (aka Shredderman) go in pursuit of Truth and Justice? Bubba Bixby is involved!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Human kindness is overflowing...and I think it's gonna rain today."

[Cydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far this series is really good.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE THE SHREDDERMAN SERIES! They are so quirky and funny.

[Andrew kurosaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book to everyone. Too hard too explain.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nolan is a good kid who does the right thing, even when it surprises him. The idea of a real-life "superhero" kid is appealing.

[Tyreek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hilarious.

[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.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it was good because Nolan got to meet Chase and he got to play a videogame with him and it was funny.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was funny and also a cool action book

[Muhammad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really easy for me but nonetheless, I enjoyed it plenty... I wouldn't recommend this but for a fast read, it is great!! :P