Customer Reviews

Danny Dunn and the Universal Glue (No. 4)

5 star:		(5)
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If I had known of the "Danny Dunn" series of adolescent adventure books when I was young, I would have devoured them like I did the "Hardy Boys" and "Tom Swift" books. The primary characteristic that makes the Danny Dunn series different is that he is associated with Professor Bullfinch so he doesn't have to invent anything of significance. Unlike the Tom Swift books, where Tom invents so many devices, some of which lead to logical difficulties. Danny doesn't get in danger with the criminals like the Hardy Boys do, Danny and his friends are younger and incapable of physically dealing with criminals. Finally, Irene is a full member of Danny's team, unlike the Hardy Boys and Tom Swift, where the females are secondary characters. Therefore, it is much easier for young people to relate to Danny and his friends because their adventures are more in line with what they may experience.

In this case, Professor Bullfinch invents a type of glue that will stick to anything, making it difficult to work with. Danny's mother has been active in an environmental group and when Danny falls in the stream, he discovers that the water tastes like lemonade. Upon investigation, they learn that a factory is leaking what is claimed to be a harmless chemical into the watershed. After some (mis)adventures, Danny and his friends manage to rescue the town and are heroes. However, unlike most heroes, they are happy with a reward consisting of ice cream sodas.

Danny is a combination of intelligence and compulsiveness and both are demonstrated here. After some foolish actions, he manages to think things through and come up with an action plan that saves the day. The combination of failure and success is something that young readers can relate to.

Danny Dunn, son of Professor Bullfinch's housekeeper, is a headstrong and inquisitive lad whose curiosity never fails to lead him into adventure! In this book, Danny and friend Irene stumble onto a perilous situation that the Professor's latest invention may help to avert!

Even though the technology described in the Danny Dunn books is a bit dated in some cases, the science on which it's based is sound and the kid-oriented adventure found in each story never goes out of style. I fell in love with this series of books when I was a kid in the '60s; I enjoy reading them with my son (now 11) today.

I read this book as a young teen and I absolutely loved it. It is a star in the Danny Dunn series and has a good dose of mystery and some interesting science. I highly recommend this book to parents who have children around ages 8-12 that show interest in chemistry, biology or environmental science. It's one of those fun books that your budding scientist will definitely remember.

This is a classic. Loved finding it in great condition--and it shipped quickly. Thank you.

Even though I read this book a little while ago, I remember it being good. I liked the whole book, especially the end and the middle.