Secret Identity Read online

CHAPTER 16

  Shredderman Lives!

  When Bubba came back to school, he was meaner than ever.

  He called us names.

  He shoved.

  He yelled.

  He hadn't changed a bit.

  What had changed was everyone else.

  “My name's not Stupid, Alvin, it's Rodney.”

  “Hey, Alvin! The back of the line's over there! Quit trying to cut.”

  “No, I'm not gonna give you money. Ask yo mama to give you dough!”

  Even Max and Kevin were avoiding him. “You think I want to be a dumbmunk the rest of my life? No way!”

  Things had changed.

  Things were better.

  For me, too.

  For one thing, I got my name back. Only two people called me Nerd all day, and believe me, I set them straight.

  For another, I feel different.

  Stronger.

  Smarter.

  Braver.

  Like a superhero should.

  And maybe I can't leap tall buildings in a single bound. Or stop a locomotive from steaming down the track. Maybe I can't even make it to server on the four-square court. But inside, I'm happy.

  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.

  Inside, Shredderman lives!

  WENDELIN VAN DRAANEN

  For Colton, my inspiration

  BRIAN BIGGS

  A truckload of thanks to Wilson, Elliot, and Jessica for keeping an eye on each

  other and remembering to take me out to play. A special thank-you goes to Isabel

  and Nancy for taking the chance.

  Text copyright © 2004 by Wendelin Van Draanen Parsons

  Illustrations copyright © 2004 by Brian Biggs

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  any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher,

  except where permitted by law. For information address Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers.

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  eISBN: 978-0-307-55968-5

  v3.0