The Gecko and Sticky: Villain’s Lair

Wendelin Van Draanen ∙ Illustrated by Stephen Gilpin

Paperback

Published on May 10, 2011 | 208 Pages

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Ebook

Published on Feb 10, 2009 | 312 Pages

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Audiobook Download

Published on Feb 10, 2009 | 2 Hours 52 Minutes

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Grades 3–7
Ages 8–12

The Gecko & Sticky are a fabulous crime-fighting duo! This quartet of funny adventures will appeal to fans of superheroes both young and old, and would make terrific all-family read-alouds.

Dave Sanchez is an average boy with an after-school job and a pet gecko named Sticky. All very normal—until the day Sticky talks!

Sticky tells Dave a wild tale of a former life of crime, searching for Aztec gold with a treasure hunter named Damien Black, and of a magical Aztec wristband with shiny gold power ingots that will give the wearer super powers. Dave doesn’t believe a word—until Sticky shows him the wristband.

But while Sticky managed to escape with the wristband, Damien Black has the power ingots. So the lizard and treasure hunter each have something the other wants . . . very badly.

Filled with wild adventures, larger-than-life characters, and snappy-funny dialogue, The Gecko and Sticky books are perfect for young superheroes everywhere.

Don’t miss the other Gecko & Sticky adventures:
1. The Villain’s Lair,
2. The Greatest Power,
3. Sinister Substitute, and
4. The Power Potion.

Praise for the Gecko & Sticky books:

"A dastardly good read. Written with gleeful wit, rapid-fire pacing and snappy dialogue."—Kirkus Reviews

"Fearsome is rarely this much fun. Van Draanen has a super imagination, to which she never applies the brakes. Readers who enjoy loony adventures will love this ride."—Children’s Literature

"Consistently entertaining . . . reaching a frenetic level of energy and comedy as the story’s tension builds."—Booklist

"Peppered with exaggerated alliteration and the excitable lizard’s Spanish-tinged ’Stickynese,’ the wisecracking narrative bounds from one slapstick scenario to another."—Publishers Weekly

ISBN 9780440422426 (Paperback)
Published on May 10, 2011
Published by Yearling
Pages 208
Dimensions 5-3/16 x 7-5/8
Age Range 8-12 years
Grade Grades 3-7

ISBN 9780375853623 (Ebook)
Published on Feb 10, 2009
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages 312
Age Range 9-12 years
Grade Grades 4-7

ISBN 9780739379196 (Audiobook Download)
Published on Feb 10, 2009
Published by Listening Library
Age Range 8-12 years
Grade Grades 3-7

Wendelin Van Draanen

Wendelin Van Draanen spent many years as a classroom teacher and is now a full-time writer. She is the author of many award-winning books, including the Sammy Keyes mysteries, Flipped, The Running Dream, Runaway, Wild Bird, Confessions of a Serial Kisser, The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones, Swear to Howdy, and Hope in the Mail, Reflections on Writing and Life. Ms. Van Draanen lives with her husband in California. Her hobbies include the “three R’s”: reading, running, and rock ’n’ roll. To read more about Wendelin Van Draanen’s books, please visit WendelinVanDraanen.com.

Stephen Gilpin

Stephen Gilpin has been working as an illustrator and cartoonist since 2000 and has nearly 20 picture books and chapter books under his belt. Gilpin is known for Sneezy the Snowman, Even Firefighters Go to the Potty, Pirate Mom, 100 Snowmen, and more.