Danny Dunn and the Universal Glue
Encyclopedia
Danny Dunn and the Universal Glue is the fifteenth and final novel in the Danny Dunn
series of juvenile science fiction/adventure books written by Raymond Abrashkin
and Jay Williams
. The book was first published in 1977.
, has leaked a chemical into the water which may cause the local dam
to break. Danny, Joe and Irene use a can of irenium to patch up the dam. In a subplot
, Danny also uses the glue as a form of protest against Mr. Blaze by placing it on the backseat of his vehicle, causing Mr. Blaze to be stuck to the seat and having to cut his trousers apart, resulting in a humorous event where an angered Mr. Blaze appears at a town meeting to voice concerns over his chemical company wearing a blanket over his legs, giving the appearance of a kilt
. Mrs. Dunn, who originally protested the draining of the swamp, gives Danny a stern rebuke that the prank was immature and counterproductive, and that Danny is now required to make restitution, meaning he is now in debt
to Mr. Blaze to pay for a new pair of men's trousers
. Danny humbly sends a letter to Mr. Blaze with all the cash he has on hand apologizing for what he did with the promise to work out a payment plan. During Danny's birthday party, a surprise guest is Mr. Blaze, who commends Danny for saving the town's dam and that his company will now have tougher oversight on chemical waste, and refunds Danny his money saying "I guess a pair of pants was worth the lesson."
MacDonald and Jane's
Archway Books
Pocket Books
Danny Dunn
Danny Dunn is the name of a fictional character and protagonist of a series of juvenile science fiction/adventure books written by Raymond Abrashkin and Jay Williams, in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s...
series of juvenile science fiction/adventure books written by Raymond Abrashkin
Raymond Abrashkin
Raymond Abrashkin was an American writer best known for writing, co-producing, and co-directing the acclaimed movie, The Little Fugitive, and for co-creating and co-authoring the highly successful Danny Dunn series of science fiction books for children with Jay Williams.-Family:Raymond's parents...
and Jay Williams
Jay Williams (author)
Jay Williams was an American author born in Buffalo, New York, the son of Max and Lillian Jacobson. He cited the experience of growing up as the son of a vaudeville show producer as leading him to pursue his acting career as early as college...
. The book was first published in 1977.
Plot summary
Professor Bullfinch develops a glue which is stronger than any known glue. He christens it Irenium in honor of Irene, of whom he is fond. The Blaze Chemical Company, which built a factory after draining a swampSwamp
A swamp is a wetland with some flooding of large areas of land by shallow bodies of water. A swamp generally has a large number of hammocks, or dry-land protrusions, covered by aquatic vegetation, or vegetation that tolerates periodical inundation. The two main types of swamp are "true" or swamp...
, has leaked a chemical into the water which may cause the local dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
to break. Danny, Joe and Irene use a can of irenium to patch up the dam. In a subplot
Subplot
A subplot is a secondary plot strand that is a supporting side story for any story or the main plot. Subplots may connect to main plots, in either time and place or in thematic significance...
, Danny also uses the glue as a form of protest against Mr. Blaze by placing it on the backseat of his vehicle, causing Mr. Blaze to be stuck to the seat and having to cut his trousers apart, resulting in a humorous event where an angered Mr. Blaze appears at a town meeting to voice concerns over his chemical company wearing a blanket over his legs, giving the appearance of a kilt
Kilt
The kilt is a knee-length garment with pleats at the rear, originating in the traditional dress of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century. Since the 19th century it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland in general, or with Celtic heritage even more broadly...
. Mrs. Dunn, who originally protested the draining of the swamp, gives Danny a stern rebuke that the prank was immature and counterproductive, and that Danny is now required to make restitution, meaning he is now in debt
Debt
A debt is an obligation owed by one party to a second party, the creditor; usually this refers to assets granted by the creditor to the debtor, but the term can also be used metaphorically to cover moral obligations and other interactions not based on economic value.A debt is created when a...
to Mr. Blaze to pay for a new pair of men's trousers
Trousers
Trousers are an item of clothing worn on the lower part of the body from the waist to the ankles, covering both legs separately...
. Danny humbly sends a letter to Mr. Blaze with all the cash he has on hand apologizing for what he did with the promise to work out a payment plan. During Danny's birthday party, a surprise guest is Mr. Blaze, who commends Danny for saving the town's dam and that his company will now have tougher oversight on chemical waste, and refunds Danny his money saying "I guess a pair of pants was worth the lesson."
Editions
McGraw-Hill- (Paperback, 1977, illustrated by Paul Sagsoorian)
- (Hardback, 1977, illustrated by Paul Sagsoorian)
MacDonald and Jane's
- (Hardback, 1978, illustrated by Anne Mieke)
Archway Books
- (Paperback, 1979, #4 in their series)
Pocket Books
- (Paperback, 1983 reissue, illustrated by Paul Sagsoorian)