Ten-year-old Danny lives in a gypsy caravan, works on cars all day, and has a best friend who never runs out of surprises and inventions--his father. When Danny's dad shares the secret passion he's been hiding, the two embark on a unique adventure involving a can't-lose plan sure to make Danny the "champion of the world."
"My father, without the slightest doubt, was the most marvelous and exciting father any boy ever had." Danny feels very lucky. He adores his life with his father, living in a gypsy caravan, listening to his stories, tending their gas station, puttering around the workshop, and occasionally taking off to fly home-built gas balloons and kites. His father has raised him on his own, ever since Danny's mother died when he was four months old. Life is peaceful and wonderful... until he turns 9 and discovers his father's one vice. Soon Danny finds himself the mastermind behind the most incredible plot ever attempted against nasty Victor Hazell, a wealthy landowner with a bad attitude. Can they pull it off? If so, Danny will truly be the champion of the world. Danny is right up to Roald Dahl's impishly brilliant standards. An intense and beautiful father-son relationship is balanced with sublegal high jinks that will have even the most rigid law-abider rooting them on. Dahl's inimitable way with words leaves the reader simultaneously satisfied and itching for more. (Ages 9 to 13) --Emilie Coulter
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
A delightful adventure:
One of the lesser-known works of the late Roald Dahl, the author behind Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach, Danny the Champion of the World is the delightfully fantastical account of a young boy and his father taking on a small patch of tyranny and emerging in snickering triumph. Danny lives with his fun-loving father in a small rural caravan in England, helping with the family service station and soaking up Dad's country wisdom. Along with the craft of vehicle repair,... more info
The worst Book Ever:
Book Review
The worst Book Ever
By ME The Book Danny The Champion Of The World by Roald Dahl was horrible. It was not intriguing at all. The story was about a boy (Danny) and his father. They were a rich family. Danny had a very good life. He is the youngest master car mechanic ever, his dad was his best friend. What more could he want.... right? Then Danny discovered his father was keeping something from him & he seeks to find out the secret. Danny is very very sneaky.... more info
Simply one of Dahl's best!:
I really can't add much more than that! It really is one of his best! The love story between the father and son is truly wonderful. And, since there is a question of "to steal" or "not to steal" , it is great for springboarding family discussions.
Danny, the Champion of the World- Review by Michael:
Danny and his father live in a little caravan but they have a big secret.
Have your parents ever kept a secret from you? Well I bet they have once or twice because Danny's father has a big one. STOMP STOMP STOMP, Danny's father steps quietly into Mr.Hazell`s woods looking for something when Danny's father breaks his leg and figures something has to be done! You might believe in good and evil, if you read this book. I give the book five stars because I love adventure.
