So, this is the second DANNY DUNN book in the series, which I just read for work. I never read this one as a kid because, let's be honest, a desert island? who cares, right? Surprisingly, this was actually very entertaining. Prof. Bullfinch and Dr. Grimes get into an argument about who is more practical and end up betting that one will be better at island survival camping than the other. Danny and Joe wangle their way into the bet and join the scientists when they fly to Peru put their bet into action... BUT... the plane goes down and so all of them are really marooned on an actual-factual desert island with only about half the supplies they'd brought for the contest. And, they're not alone...It struck me with this book that the DANNY DUNN series has an outline in its mission to get children interested in science and that each book (maybe less so as the series goes on) is aimed at a particular branch of science. ANTI-GRAVITY PAINT gave us astronomy & astrophysics, HOMEWORK MACHINE was computers and here we get... Engineering, as the boys learn about building simple machines and tools. As usual, there are some nice grace notes (really, given the seriousness of their situation, Danny gets off a little easy for hiding the crank-handle to the emergency radio transmitter for a couple of days - but then this isn't DANNY DUNN, BLEACHED SKELETON ON A PERUVIAN ATOLL, is it?): The Professor again proves to be a voice of calm and reason, Grimes shows his heart under his sour exterior and the boys also learn a few things about approaching people and first impressions. Joe does end up in a big pot surrounded by natives, but it's not what you think. And a turtle gets eaten. Danny's mom, as usual, puts up with a hell of a lot!
Do You like book Danny Dunn On A Desert Island (1979)?
