Nearly all of Dan vs. Nature takes place in the woods where they are far from all of civilization. The idea of this trip was to be one that bonded a reluctant child and an eager boyfriend. Dan and Charlie are the best Nearly all of Dan vs. Nature takes place in the woods, where they are far from all of civilization. The idea of this trip was to be one that bonded a reluctant child and an eager boyfriend. Dan and Charlie have known one another from the beginning of time and will do anything to help each other out. In this case, Charlie must help Dan scare away Hank from marrying Dan’s mom. While constantly battling Hank, Dan must decide where his heart lies, with Erin or with Penelope. Though he knows Erin is his true love, he has to constantly remind himself not to stare at Penelope. In the midst of Dan’s problems, Charlie’s plans for Hank are taking a toll on the entire group. Charlie’s intelligent, but diabolical plans always has the group on the run.
I like the fact that the author made it so that everyone has an injury and they all find a way to help each other. This showed that they combined their skills to survive. This is a key point that made me enjoy the book. The humor of how Dan and Charlie try to gross out Hank works but doesn’t work. They gross him out but Dan loses the drive, and Hank holds on long enough to realize that Dan actually likes him.
How deep the author went into describing the soothing feeling of the ointment on his poison ivy rash was very impressive. The details of Dan’s nose breaking was one thing that I could never get out of my head – so gruesome!
Reviewed by Abhishek, Grade 8, Twin Hickory Area Library
HCPL TeenScene's Read + Review 