Nate Wright has a nose (and a penchant) for trouble. So he's not one to be surprised by a pop quiz popping up. Aspiring cartoonist Nate Wright is the star of Big Nate , the daily and Sunday comic strip and a favorite middle-grade book character. Nate is 11 years old, four-and-a-half feet tall, and the all-time record holder for detentions in school history. He's a self-described genius and sixth grade Renaissance Man. Nate, who lives with his dad and older sister, enjoys pestering his family and teachers with his sarcasm.