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Your Pal Fred: A Graphic Novel

Part of Your Pal Fred

Author Michael Rex
Look inside
Hardcover
$23.99 US
Penguin Young Readers | Viking Books for Young Readers
6"W x 8.56"H x 1"D  
On sale May 31, 2022 | 272 Pages | 9780593206324
Grades 2-5
Reading Level: Lexile GN260L
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* Best Graphic Novel for Kids selection by the American Library Association*
*Texas Little Maverick Reading List selection*
*101 Great Books for Kids selection by the Evanston Public Library*

From Michael Rex, the bestselling author/illustrator of Fangbone! and Goodnight Goon, comes a zany and hilarious graphic novel that shines a light on the humanity inside all of us—even if you're a robot.

He's a super-nice kid in an ultra-mean world.
He believes even the worst people are good inside.
He'll always be there for you... even if you boot him out of your castle, pit him against a mechanical giant, put him on top of a pole in a lightning storm, and trap him in a booming dance party that lasts all night long.
He's Your Pal Fred.

In a brutal world far in the future where only the savage survive, a life-size toy suddenly activates. Fred was built to be a best buddy, and his relentless kindness never fades, even when everyone else is rude. Determined to make the world a better place, he has the bright idea to talk the two most powerful and battle-hungry warlords, Lord Bonkers and Papa Mayhem, into being friends. It's a mission doomed to fail, unless Fred can find a way to inspire everyone to play nice!
MICHAEL REX is the creator of over thirty books for children, including the number one bestseller Goodnight Goon and the Fangbone! series. He also illustrated With Any Luck, I'll Drive a Truck (by David Friend). He was inspired to create Icky Ricky by his two boys, Declan and Gavin, who are fine young citizens, but very disgusting. Gavin eats ketchup on cake, and Declan uses a marker to color his belly button. Along with the boys, Mr. Rex lives with his wife and their dog, Roxy, in Leonia, New Jersey. Both his wife and the dog are not disgusting at all. Visit him at www.michaelrex.blogspot.com. You won’t get dirty. View titles by Michael Rex
★ "In Rex's big-hearted comic ... Fred's gentleness proves healing in this humorous volume about the power of kindness." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Fred weathers scorn, slime, and worse to make friends, reunite long-separated siblings, and show even fierce rivals a way to peace and forgiveness. A winning exhortation, earnest in its underpinnings at least, to be the change."
—Kirkus Reviews

"In a world of chaos and carnage, this robot carries a secret weapon . . . reward stickers! Another genius idea from one of my favorite graphic novelists."
 —Tom Angleberger, bestselling author of Geronimo Stilton and Origami Yoda

"Michael Rex mixes Spielberg’s AI with George Miller’s Mad Max and translates it through the lens of a Sunday comic strip. Your Pal Fred is a fun spectacle that’s worth the journey. It’s impossible not to smile as we follow a naively sweet robot armed only with his relentless optimism."
 —Rich Moyer, creator of Ham Helsing: Vampire Hunter

"Action, adventure, a beautifully illustrated post-apocalyptic wasteland, and a cute little robot named Fred who just wants you to “be kind.” This story has EVERYTHING! Michael Rex has a knack for balancing heart-pounding danger with a deep sentimentality, and with Your Pal Fred he does it again!"
 —Michael Sweater, creator of The Wizerd

"Exciting, funny, and well-told . . . Your Pal Fred is just a joy to read."
 —Forces of Geek

"Rex combines a silly, adventurous romp with a message about love and kindness. The illustrations capture the story’s energy; the action-packed spreads and jagged panels make for quick transitions during action sequences, and the cartoonish visual style turns mean characters into harmless goofballs. Perfect for fans of Judd Winick's Hilo series."
 —Booklist

"A graphic novel with heart about meditation and good relations that will appeal to those who enjoy kooky characters." —School Library Journal

About

* Best Graphic Novel for Kids selection by the American Library Association*
*Texas Little Maverick Reading List selection*
*101 Great Books for Kids selection by the Evanston Public Library*

From Michael Rex, the bestselling author/illustrator of Fangbone! and Goodnight Goon, comes a zany and hilarious graphic novel that shines a light on the humanity inside all of us—even if you're a robot.

He's a super-nice kid in an ultra-mean world.
He believes even the worst people are good inside.
He'll always be there for you... even if you boot him out of your castle, pit him against a mechanical giant, put him on top of a pole in a lightning storm, and trap him in a booming dance party that lasts all night long.
He's Your Pal Fred.

In a brutal world far in the future where only the savage survive, a life-size toy suddenly activates. Fred was built to be a best buddy, and his relentless kindness never fades, even when everyone else is rude. Determined to make the world a better place, he has the bright idea to talk the two most powerful and battle-hungry warlords, Lord Bonkers and Papa Mayhem, into being friends. It's a mission doomed to fail, unless Fred can find a way to inspire everyone to play nice!

Author

MICHAEL REX is the creator of over thirty books for children, including the number one bestseller Goodnight Goon and the Fangbone! series. He also illustrated With Any Luck, I'll Drive a Truck (by David Friend). He was inspired to create Icky Ricky by his two boys, Declan and Gavin, who are fine young citizens, but very disgusting. Gavin eats ketchup on cake, and Declan uses a marker to color his belly button. Along with the boys, Mr. Rex lives with his wife and their dog, Roxy, in Leonia, New Jersey. Both his wife and the dog are not disgusting at all. Visit him at www.michaelrex.blogspot.com. You won’t get dirty. View titles by Michael Rex

Praise

★ "In Rex's big-hearted comic ... Fred's gentleness proves healing in this humorous volume about the power of kindness." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Fred weathers scorn, slime, and worse to make friends, reunite long-separated siblings, and show even fierce rivals a way to peace and forgiveness. A winning exhortation, earnest in its underpinnings at least, to be the change."
—Kirkus Reviews

"In a world of chaos and carnage, this robot carries a secret weapon . . . reward stickers! Another genius idea from one of my favorite graphic novelists."
 —Tom Angleberger, bestselling author of Geronimo Stilton and Origami Yoda

"Michael Rex mixes Spielberg’s AI with George Miller’s Mad Max and translates it through the lens of a Sunday comic strip. Your Pal Fred is a fun spectacle that’s worth the journey. It’s impossible not to smile as we follow a naively sweet robot armed only with his relentless optimism."
 —Rich Moyer, creator of Ham Helsing: Vampire Hunter

"Action, adventure, a beautifully illustrated post-apocalyptic wasteland, and a cute little robot named Fred who just wants you to “be kind.” This story has EVERYTHING! Michael Rex has a knack for balancing heart-pounding danger with a deep sentimentality, and with Your Pal Fred he does it again!"
 —Michael Sweater, creator of The Wizerd

"Exciting, funny, and well-told . . . Your Pal Fred is just a joy to read."
 —Forces of Geek

"Rex combines a silly, adventurous romp with a message about love and kindness. The illustrations capture the story’s energy; the action-packed spreads and jagged panels make for quick transitions during action sequences, and the cartoonish visual style turns mean characters into harmless goofballs. Perfect for fans of Judd Winick's Hilo series."
 —Booklist

"A graphic novel with heart about meditation and good relations that will appeal to those who enjoy kooky characters." —School Library Journal

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