Life According to Dani

Starred review from July 15, 2016
Dani, spending the summer with her best friend, Ella, while her father recuperates from an accident, is dismayed to discover that he has a girlfriend. In this fourth collaboration between writer Lagercrantz and illustrator Eriksson, Dani is spending school summer break (her first!) at "an island in the sea" with Ella and her family. The reason for this is that Dani's father, Gianni, was hit by a car and must stay in the hospital for several months. While the writing is fairly simple, the story is not simplistic. The central topic--Dani's missing her father and her feelings of betrayal when she discovers he has a girlfriend--is augmented by the flexible nuclear family models presented: Gianni is Dani's sole parent, Ella has an "extra father," Paddy, and cousin Sven has no father. Lagercrantz's superb writing in Marshall's translation is touching and amusing without being saccharine, and her playful narrative cadence bounces back and forth between past and present tense. Eriksson's black-and-white illustrations add important emotional resonance to the mostly white cast of characters (Ella's and her mother's kinky hair may lead some readers to see them as black). How the dilemma of reconciling Dani to her father's girlfriend is managed is very clever, and everyone--readers included--will be satisfied. Another sterling early chapter book by this duo. (Fiction. 5-8)

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September 1, 2016

Gr 2-4-In this book that picks up where When I Am the Happiest left off, Dani is sent to live with her best friend, Ella, on a small island for the summer when her father is injured and recovering in a hospital. Summertime starts off carefree and idyllic, with the girls spending their days swimming (skinny-dipping while playing the violin!), baking and selling goods, and exploring. As in the previous titles, Dani's happy life has serious undertones that threaten to destroy her contentment. Dani worries she will be replaced in her father's heart when he suddenly shows up on the island with a new girlfriend. Dani behaves rudely to the girlfriend, Sadie, and both Sadie and Dani's father leave, causing turmoil for all. Sweet, charismatic drawings by Eriksson complement the spare text perfectly and will endear Dani to readers. Translated from Swedish, the story has a European feel, though many readers, especially those dealing with similar situations to those faced by the main characters, will identify strongly and compassionately. While it may seem at first that Dani is getting her way by encouraging her father not to date Sadie, the resolution is more complex, and astute readers will realize the family will likely be seeing more of Sadie in the future. VERDICT Fans of this series will enjoy this and look forward to seeing what is in store next for the spirited young girl and her small family.-Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

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