The Gecko and Sticky: Villain's Lair

Illustrated by Stephen Gilpin
$4.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Knopf Books for Young Readers
On sale Feb 10, 2009 | 9780375853623
Age 9-12 years
Sales rights: US, Canada, Open Mkt
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.
  • NOMINEE | 2011
    Hawaii Nene Award
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

About

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.

Awards

  • NOMINEE | 2011
    Hawaii Nene Award

Praise

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