Media Page
Official author information, bios, book details, and media contact
Author Bio
Official bios in multiple lengths for programs, articles, and interviews.
Short Bio
Quick intro for event programs or articles (50–75 words)
Steve Frederick is the author of Cockroach the Superhero, a middle-grade series praised for its humor, adventure, and heart. His latest, The Bangle Bombers Blast Banks, was named an “Editor’s Choice” by The Children’s Book Review and Publishers Weekly/BookLife; the debut won a Purple Dragonfly Award. Inspired by breakfast-table storytelling with his son, Frederick’s heroes face honesty, bullying, and courage—beyond writing, he’s also a longtime career coach and advocate.
Medium bio
For media outlets or author features seeking a fuller picture (150–200 words)
Steve Frederick is the author of Cockroach the Superhero, a middle-grade series that has earned critical acclaim and won the hearts of kids and adults alike. The books mix humor, adventure, and plenty of heart. His latest title, The Bangle Bombers Blast Banks, was named an “Editor’s Choice” by The Children’s Book Review and by Publishers Weekly / BookLife, while the debut book won a coveted Purple Dragonfly Award for Middle Grade fiction.
He became an author accidentally, when he found storytelling eased his young son’s morning grouchiness. He shared many stories he’d read in superhero comics as a kid—until he couldn’t remember any more. Then he created new superheroes, eventually creating Cockroach the Superhero. When his son’s kindergarten invited parents to read aloud, he took a risk and wrote down his own story. The kids loved it, inspiring him to eventually expand his work from a 463- word picture book to a 20,000-word novel.
Unlike traditional muscle-bound heroes, Frederick’s characters tackle honesty, bullying, relationships, and the courage it takes to face our fears. Beyond writing, he is also a longtime career coach and advocate for people who feel stuck, overlooked, or underestimated.
Full bio
Comprehensive version with background, writing inspiration, and accolades (300–500 words)
Steve Frederick is the author of Cockroach the Superhero, a middle-grade series that has won
critical acclaim while winning the hearts of both kids and adults. Set in the Chicago area, the
books mix humor, adventure, and plenty of heart. His latest installment, The Bangle Bombers
Blast Banks, earned the prestigious “Editor’s Choice” designation from The Children’s Book
Review and from Publishers Weekly / BookLife. The debut book in the series received a Purple
Dragonfly Award for Middle Grade fiction.
Frederick’s path to becoming a children’s author was anything but planned. The stories were
born at his family’s breakfast table, when his young son’s morning grouchiness required creative
parenting. Drawing on a childhood filled with superhero comic books and TV shows, Frederick
began telling superhero stories over breakfast cereal.
When he ran out of stories about other
people’s heroes, he invented his own—and Cockroach the Superhero was born.
When his son was in kindergarten, Steve learned that the school had an annual event in which
parents were invited to bring in a book of their choice to read to the kids. He decided to take the
risk of writing down one of his own stories to read to the class, and the kids loved it. Thus
encouraged, he continued writing and the books grew from a 463-word picture book to a 20,000-word work of fiction.
Unlike traditional muscle-bound superheroes, Frederick’s characters wrestle with honesty,
bullying, relationships, and the courage it takes to face our fears and discover our own
superpowers. These deeper themes give his books lasting impact beyond the thrill of action and
adventure.
In addition to writing, Frederick is a longtime career coach and an advocate for people who feel
stuck, overlooked, or underestimated. He has served as Director of a workplace safety
organization, and previously worked at the Environmental Protection Agency, in the Wisconsin
Legislature, and in several nonprofits. His wide-ranging work history also includes stints as a
paperboy, librarian, painter, nursing assistant, grave digger’s assistant, and an awful three-day
stint in a fast-food restaurant.
Through both his books and his coaching, Steve Frederick champions resilience, imagination,
and the belief that everyone has untapped superpowers waiting to be discovered.
Books & Press
High-resolution book covers, press release, and series fact sheet.
High-res book covers
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Press Contact:
Steve Frederick - Media Relations
Skokie, IL
www.thunderboltstories.com
Chicago Superhero Wins Two Editor’s Choice Awards: A New Kind of Hero for a New Generation
Out of the thousands of children’s books published each year, few manage to blend action, heart, and humor like Steve Frederick’s *Cockroach the Superhero* series. His newest book, *The Bangle Bombers Blast Banks*, was just named an Editor’s Choice by both *The Children’s Book Review* and *BookLife / Publishers Weekly*, high honors in the field.
The story opens with a literal bang: The mysterious Bangle Bombers dynamite a city bank vault and vanish without a trace. But the real story begins when 11-year-old Kyle Alexander, an anxious but imaginative kid, jolts awake. Kyle isn’t just any kid. He’s secretly Cockroach, a reluctant young superhero, named by a cruel joke from a criminal — an insult he’s learned to wear with pride.
Kyle’s life is intense: enduring bullying at school and from another superhero, hiding his secret identity from his parents and his very astute and all-too-inquisitive Grammy, and trying to stay awake in math class — all on top of chasing down criminals. But with the help of his ragtag superhero team, including a wise, tree-shifting mentor named TreeMan, Cockroach discovers that words and compassion can be more powerful than fists and force.
“These books don’t rely on flashy gadgets or flawless heroes,” says Frederick. “They show that being scared doesn’t disqualify you from being brave.”
A Chicago teacher shared how her class was stunned when a superhero de-escalated a fight using only kindness and empathy. One student gasped, “He didn’t do anything but talk!” The transformation of bullies becomes one of the story’s most moving surprises.
Frederick’s books are superhero adventures with soul. Kids laugh at the wild villains and clever plot twists, but also see themselves in the characters — the overlooked, the anxious, the underdogs.
The series features a diverse ensemble of heroes, including a former police officer turned flying wheelchair pilot. And always at the center is Kyle, a boy learning to lead not through power, but through presence and purpose.
At its core, *The Bangle Bombers Blast Banks* is about finding strength in unlikely places and doing the right thing, even when it’s hard.
The series includes:
- Breakfast of Superheroes
- Secrets of the Superhero’s Ring
- The Bangle Bombers Blast Banks
About the Author
Steve Frederick read comics as a kid and dreamed of being a superhero, but never got superpowers. Years later, he found his second chance through fatherhood. When his son Ryan became a superhero fan, Steve made up stories to entertain him — then shared them at school. His read-alouds became so popular, students called him “The Superhero Dad.” He’s also a career coach and award-winning writer, but his proudest reviews come from classrooms: “I read Breakfast of Superheroes to my class… They were hooked. At the end, they clapped — and voted it their #1 read-aloud of the year.”
Series Fact Sheet
- Breakfast of Superheroes — 16,000 words — ISBN 978-1-7323853-2-0 — Purple Dragonfly Award (Honorable Mention)
- Secrets of the Superhero’s Ring — 27,000 words — ISBN 978-1-7323853-7-5
- The Bangle Bombers Blast Banks — 33,000 words — ISBN 978-1-7323853-5-1 — Editor’s Choice: BookLife / Publishers Weekly, The Children’s Book Review
Target Age: 8–12 (plus adult “kids”)
Themes: Facing fears, bravery re-examined, mentorship, bullies, honesty, unique powers, teamwork.
Event Media
Glenview TV – Author Highlight Clip (30–60s)
Audio & Video Interviews
TV, radio, or YouTube interviews - excerpt from Glenview TV.
Contact for Media Inquiries
Direct line for press: interviews, articles, images, and additional materials.
Steve Frederick - Media Relations
Skokie, IL
www.thunderboltstories.com
