Life According to Dani
Dani is spending the summer at a vacation house with her best friend’s family while her dad recovers from an accident. She’s already having a great time when her cousin and grandparents come to visit and things get even better. Even more wonderful is when her dad, who’s been in the hospital, arrives as a surprise. “Up until now this story could have had a happy ending.” The problem is that her dad has brought Sadie, a nurse, with whom he is falling in love. It soon becomes clear that springing Sadie on Dani without warning is a mistake, something Dani’s grandparents clearly suggested ahead of time would be the case. Dani’s behavior, like her dad’s, is less than perfect, and the emotional realism is what makes this and previous books about Dani so authentic and childlike. They are also full of warmth and charm. Occasional black-and-white illustrations add to the overall appeal, while the ending hints at another book to come. ©2016 Cooperative Children's Book Center
Illustrated by
Eva Eriksson
Translated by
Julia Marshall.
Translated from Swedish; originally published in Sweden
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 5-8
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Novel
Subjects:
Anxiety
Families
Fathers
Feelings/Emotions
Friendship
Separation
Translated Books
Vacations
Publisher:
Gecko
Publish Year: 2016
Pages: 103
ISBN: 9781776570706
CCBC Location: Fiction, Lagercrantz