Double Life of Danny Day: The Science and Art of Overcoming Insomnia Without Medications

Danny Day lives every day twice.By sixth grade, he’s a pro at it. He spends the first playing video games, scoping out important details, and doing things most of us will only daydream about, knowing his day will reset at 2:22 am and he’ll have to start all over.For Danny, this is a good thing. His second day—the sticky day—usually goes off like a speed run. He gets perfect grades, stops his toddling twin sisters from decorating their bedroom walls with sharpies, and tricks his classmates into thinking he can read minds.But Danny’s life is far from perfect. When his family moves from Texas to Idaho, Danny has to be the new kid at school twice as much as any normal kid. If he gets hurt on a sticky day, he hurts twice as long. Even worse, Danny starting to think he’s been doing it all wrong. Then he meets Zak, the kind, athletic sixth-grader who lives each day without regrets, and who convinces Danny that he can too. Danny eventually shares his secret with his new friend and swears him to secrecy and the two boys enlist Freddie, the girl-next-door, in bringing the bullies of Snake River Middle School to justice.In reading the story, it is clear that Danny isn’t the only one reliving junior high. Author Mike Thayer’s portrayal of middle school feels almost photographic, but it serves up the sweet taste of sixth-grade wish-fulfillment right along with the poignant memory of mistakes made. In addition to painting his adolescents well, Thayer gets the adults right, with unique perspectives and personalities for each, without bogging down the book with elaborate backstories.I especially like Danny’s mom. Even though he’s living every day twice, she still manages to surprise him sometimes, and those moments are some of the funniest.In short, The Double Life of Danny Day is for middle-grade readers, junior high attendees, and all the rest of us who survived junior high intact, more-or-less. It’s about finding balance, even when we think we have it all. In the end it’s not Danny’s singular power that makes him great, but what he spends that precious extra time on.Is it a true story?“No. But it could be true, and that’s all that matters.”

What it’s about: Danny Day has an (unfair) advantage over everyone else in his middle school – he gets to live every day twice, one as a practice run and one where he can correct all his mistakes, like flunking a test or getting beat up by a bully.Danny has mostly been using his extra days to get into trouble or play video games all day though, until he meets Zak when his family moves from Texas to Idaho (“Go Spuds!”).Confronted with the concept of the double day, Zak suggests that Danny use his extra time for good – such as taking out the resident gaming bully at the school. But that’s no easy feat – and Danny’s going to need all the friends he can get.This is a very fun read for anyone who’s ever wished for a do over day (and honestly, who hasn’t?) or been bullied in middle school. Danny learns that there is nothing better to have than loyal friends, such as Freddie, who is amazing at video games and Zak, who’s amazing at everything (but so nice about it that we like him anyway).Danny also learns that it is worth it to invest the time and effort into standing up to a bully and making those happy who really deserve it.A great book for both boys and girls 10 and up. I enjoyed this so much, I will definitely also check out the Epic Adventures of the Techno Wizard trilogy that Mike Thayer has written previously (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M6KHT2X?searchxofy=true&binding=kindle_edition&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1624901913&sr=8-1).

My 12 year old son (who does not enjoy reading), thoroughly enjoyed the Techno Wizard series and is anxiously awaiting more in the series. In the meantime, we purchased this book, hoping it would be something of interest. He sat and read it cover to cover over 3 days. He loved it! So grateful for books written for kids who have wild imaginations and need literature that helps feed that, in modern times.

I loved this book! It is so fun and entertaining. Zak is my favorite character, he is so sick!!! I especially love how there are so many great emotions. Totally recommending this to anyone who likes to read. Even if you don’t, I’m sure this book will change your mind. Danny does some pretty crazy stuff. How does he think of these??? Gwen Age: 11

We read and listened to this as a family. Was a great story. 5, 8, and 9 year old boys couldn't get enough and wanted to keep listening every time we read. Great story with moral values and decisions woven throughout. As a parent I loved that it taught some great values in a fun way.