The Double Life of Danny Day by Mike Thayer is such an unusual book! I haven’t read anything quite like it ever before, and I loved it!
Danny Day is unique. He lives every day twice. As a very young child, he doesn’t understand what’s happening to him. He remembers conversations that never happened, and he can freakily predict what is going to happen. His parents consult one doctor after another because Danny himself has no idea why the world is so confusing. An unusual therapist, open-minded and observant, finally helps him figure out what is happening and how to deal with it.
The story opens several years later, when Danny has grown used to his ‘Discard Days’ and his ‘Sticky Days’ as he calls them. Discard Days are days he experiences alone, which prepare him for the day ahead. Sticky Days are the days everyone remembers.
When Danny befriends Zak, he begins to realise that he should probably use his superpower better. With a confidante, things become a little easier, and we are sucked into this story of second chances, kindness and justice.
The Double Life of Danny Day brings alive the drama of middle school rivalry. Even though the book is all about video games and I don’t play video games at all, I loved it! I was sucked into this exceptional story about doing the right thing, making mistakes, and learning to trust. The premise of the story, the storytelling style, and the plot–I enjoyed them all!
| Title | The Double Life of Danny Day |
| Author | Mike Thayer |
| Tags | Middle Grade, Magical Realism |
| Rating (out of 5) | 5 |
| Ages | 10+ |
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