
Action Dude
by Andy Riley
Interest age: 9 to 12
Reading age: 9 to 12
Published by Welbeck Flame, 2022
About this book
Action Dude – aka Charlie Munderdrew – may be a kid, but he loves danger and excitement and to be a hero. Even just popping round to the corner shop requires a daring leap from a jet plane. So when disaster strikes at ‘Prehistoric Land’, the new local theme park, obviously it’s Action Dude that the Mayor calls on for help.
All the animals and cave people on display at Prehistoric Land are actually super-advanced robots, but something is terribly wrong: the robots have gone on a rampage! It’s up to Action Dude to get past sabre-toothed tigers, woolly mammoths and angry robot Neanderthals, and rescue the park’s visitors, who are hiding at the Volcano of Lava. Plus there’s the question of exactly why the robots have gone wrong: what – or who – is behind it?
A comedic plotline and clever references to the action hero genre makes this graphic novel a highly enjoyable, light-hearted read, with themes of friendship, working together and facing fears. There are a good few twists and turns and a great cast of supporting characters, from the indignant police officer to Action Dude’s much smarter friend Ruby and, of course, a dastardly villain to outwit.
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Lists of recommended reads
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Great Books Guide Cymru 2023: 8 to 9
The best English, Welsh and bilingual books from 2023 for 8- to 9-year-olds