Authors: Wendelin Van Draanen
Secret Identity (10 page)
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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eISBN: 978-0-307-55968-5
v3.0