SECOND STEP E-Newsletter
December 2010
Shredderman: Secret Identity
by Wendelin Van Draanen; Illustrated by Brian Biggs
Reading Level: Grades 3–6
Bubba Bixby is a walking, talking stereotype. So is Nolan Byrd. Bubba is huge. He has “rocky knuckles. And killer breath.” He flips classmates’ lunch trays when teachers aren’t looking, steals erasers and papers, hogs the ball at recess, and cuts in line. Nolan (a.k.a. Byrd-the-Nerd, or just Nerd) is small and clumsy, an excellent student who enjoys power walking. Readers don’t need to spend too much time wondering what happens when these two boys collide in their fifth-grade classroom.
Bubba’s bullying ways have taken their toll on Nolan. So when their teacher gives them an assignment that allows the use of computers and digital cameras, Nolan’s gears start turning. Why not do an exposé on Bubba? Catch him in the act of tormenting fellow classmates? Manipulate some photos, write up some jokes, reveal some of his sneaky secrets? Nolan is infused with energy and creativity. In the course of developing his idea and creating a Web site (“Shredderman.com, where truth and justice prevail!”), Nolan undergoes a transformation himself. For the first time, he feels empowered to speak up to other kids who call him names. He starts getting better at recess games. He also starts taking foolish risks. Nolan’s sense of euphoria as he seeks revenge is mixed with an uneasiness at keeping secrets from his family and classmates, not to mention the fear of repercussions if Bubba finds out who is behind Shredderman.com.
As it turns out (spoiler alert!), Nolan is not caught, officially, anyway, and Bubba is the one who ends up in trouble. Nolan’s teacher knows Nolan’s secret Shredderman identity, but chooses not to punish him; in fact, he supports Nolan’s idea as a tool to change the tone in the school. He does, however, request that Nolan change the site somewhat, to include less about Bubba and more about the nice things kids do to each other.
Social and Emotional Lessons in Shredderman: Secret Identity
Shredderman author Wendelin Van Draanen sheds light on an emerging 21st century dynamic between taking it to the playground and taking it to the Internet. Nolan feels safer responding to bullying in cyberspace than in person. This attitude has become common among digital media users of all ages. But victims who respond to playground-style bullying with cyber bullying need to know: cyber bullying is real life.
Educators using Shredderman: Secret Identity in their classrooms need to tread delicately. The protagonist walks a very fine line between “changing the tone” of the school and creating an environment where he himself can behave in a bullying manner. The fact is, although Bubba has the physical advantage, Nolan has superior technological power, and he uses it inappropriately. His school does not take direct action against him, although the administration does finally respond to Bubba’s behavior, which they have been tolerating up until now. If students are to read Shredderman, teachers will want to have a very clear discussion about appropriate responses to bullying.
A few questions to start the Shredderman: Secret Identity dialogue:
- Nolan gets creative with his revenge on Bubba. He feels powerful, but he also is a little uncomfortable. Why?
- Does setting up an anonymous Web site with mean jokes and pictures about someone count as bullying?
- What if you’re just getting back at someone for bullying you? Is it okay then?
- Nolan and Bubba’s teacher says, “It’s what you do when you think no one’s looking that tells us what kind of person you really are...pretend Shredderman’s the person standing next to you...then act accordingly.” Will this work to keep kids treating each other with respect?
- By the end of the story, Bubba is still calling people names, shoving, and yelling. But something else has changed. Why do all the kids feel like they don’t have to let Bubba put them down anymore?
- Nolan says, “Inside, I know I can find ways to fight for truth and justice. Inside, I know I can change the world—even if it’s just my little corner of it.” How do you think he’s going to change his corner of the world from now on?
