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The Danger Gang #1
The Danger Gang and the Pirates of Borneo!
Ronald Zupan is a daring master adventurer! But he actually hasn't experienced any grand adventures . . . YET! When his world-traveling parents are kidnapped on his twelfth birthday, Ronald seizes the chance to prove himself with a dazzling, danger-defying rescue operation.
Teaming up with his trusty butler Jeeves, his quick-witted fencing nemesis Julianne Sato, and his pet cobra Carter, Ronald sets course for the jungle of Borneo where his parents were last sighted. If they can crash-land a plane and outrun a hungry snow leopard, surely they can find the secret lair of Zeetan Z, the world's most ruthless pirate! But as their adventure becomes more and more dangerous, can Ronald and his companions muster enough courage to see this adventure through?
Teaming up with his trusty butler Jeeves, his quick-witted fencing nemesis Julianne Sato, and his pet cobra Carter, Ronald sets course for the jungle of Borneo where his parents were last sighted. If they can crash-land a plane and outrun a hungry snow leopard, surely they can find the secret lair of Zeetan Z, the world's most ruthless pirate! But as their adventure becomes more and more dangerous, can Ronald and his companions muster enough courage to see this adventure through?
378 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2017
About the author
Arree Chung
18 books97 followersArree Chung makes picture books but he didn’t always do so. Once he made spreadsheets all day long and he decided that he wanted to make pictures instead. Arree learned how to draw, paint and think a little bit differently at Art Center College of Design.
Arree is represented by Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content. http://www.rpcontent.com
Lots of cool stuff at: http://arree.com
Arree is represented by Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content. http://www.rpcontent.com
Lots of cool stuff at: http://arree.com
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 2, 2017
Ronald Zupan is an extraordinary 11 year old. Don't believe me? Just ask Ronald Zupan. He'll tell you about the time he wrestled a king cobra when he was just a baby in his crib. The king cobra is now his pet and his name is Carter. Or about the time that he devoured the plays of Shakespeare at the tender age of five. He would have eaten every page if his mom hadn't walked in & saved the valuable works. So why is it that his parents, famous adventurer's Francisco & Helen Zupan, have never chosen to take him on one of their missions? After all, he has filled out an application for all of them! Instead his parents always leave him at home with their butler, Jeeves. Ronald's parents are away much of the time but they have never missed one of his birthdays. That's why Ronald knew there was something terribly wrong when they didn't come home for his 11th birthday. Ronald wastes no time in recruiting his fencing rival Julianne Sato to help rescue his parents. Soon Ronald, Julianne, Carter, and an unconscious Jeeves are on the Zupan family airplane headed to Borneo, the last known location of Roland's parents. With plenty of action and even more humor, this book was a very enjoyable read. The many b&w illustrations add to the fun and make it a great book for reluctant readers or those transitioning to chapter books from first chapter books.
September 19, 2017
Ronald Zupan and Julianne Sato are the child heroes I wish I knew as a young reader!! Their adventures inspire me as an adult, though I know as a child, I would have been absolutely engrossed in the tales of their journey. Especially for young girls, I think having heroines as courageous and strong willed as Julianne Sato is an absolute mandatory part of the literary diet. The writing is thoughtful and aware of the curiosities that inspire young minds. Stephen Bramucci understands what makes kids laugh and dream, and what will inspire the next great adventure in their lives. An absolute read for any young reader.
August 9, 2017
A fun little adventure romp. I read it with my niece. Now she wants to grow a mustache and runs around calling me Jeeves.
January 16, 2018
Ronald Zupan is a master adventurer, the son of the famous Helen and Francisco Zupan. The only problem is that his parents have not let him come on any of his adventures. On the morning of his 12th birthday, his parents do not appear, and Ronald knows they are in trouble. He teams up with the family butler the girl who beat him in a fencing tournament, and a pet boa constrictor, to go find them in Borneo. Much adventure ensues. Written mostly in Ronald's bold and exaggerated voice, interspersed with more realistic details from the butler, this tale is quite funny. It seems like it could be an annoying children's book, but all three main characters grow and learn from their experiences. This would be a good book for 4th graders on up who like action, adventure, or funny stories.
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September 28, 2017Children will love The Danger Gang and the Pirates of Borneo!
It's full of spine tingling adventure, hilarious hi-jinks, and stalwartly friends.
As an adult, I enjoyed The Danger Gang and the Pirates of Borneo! but I think children will love it. Three stars from me, but I can easily see this being a five star book for those twelve and under.
It's full of spine tingling adventure, hilarious hi-jinks, and stalwartly friends.
As an adult, I enjoyed The Danger Gang and the Pirates of Borneo! but I think children will love it. Three stars from me, but I can easily see this being a five star book for those twelve and under.
October 16, 2017
The Danger Gang and the Pirates of Borneo! is an incredibly entertaining and also funny book. Mr. Bramucci’s words carve the story right into your mind. He is to readers what tornados are to towns. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves action-packed tales of excitement and adventure.
October 15, 2017
One and of the best funny silly adventure books is for Youth and kids did I mentions pirates, jungles, caves and friendships?
Want to read
September 26, 2017Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
November 14, 2017
The Danger Gang and the Pirates of Borneo! certainly captured my attention. This swashbuckling story is a rather laughable one, but it asks a serious question: who is friend and who is foe?
March 9, 2019
This middle grade adventure novel tells the story of a young man, Ronald Zupan, who finally gets the opportunity to go on a daring adventure. When his parents go missing on his birthday, he realizes that they're in extreme danger. With the help of his friend, Julianne, and his butler and his pet snake, he embarks on a rescue mission to Borneo. Young adventure fans that like Indiana Jones-type stories will enjoy riding along to the jungles where our gang faces dangerous animals, intense weather, and menacing pirates in order to rescue his parents.
August 13, 2017
My husband and I devoured this adventure and now are reading it to our 10-year-old daughter. The pace, the dynamic voices of the different characters, and the humor are all perfect for keeping young readers (and those reading with them!) engaged and on their toes. We've been particularly happy with the level of complexity and the introduction to new vocabulary for young readers. What a wonderful way to dive into adventure and imagination!
March 21, 2018
Two words: Buy it! THE DANGER GAND AND THE PIRATES OF BORNEO is hilarious, entertaining, a sure hit! Like so many kids his age, the narrator is completely unreliable, however, thanks his loyal butler, "Jeeves" (Thomas Halladay), we get the story straight. This book is great for all ages... young and old! Warning: This book is full of adventure, suspense, AND humor. Please check with your doctor to see if you are fit enough to handle this ride.
July 9, 2018
This book was so much fun. Middle grade is probably my all-time favorite age group to read in for books, because it’s able to be silly while also putting in serious, important themes. In The Danger Gang and the Pirates of Borneo, Ronald Zupan goes off on an adventure to save his parents. He knows they must be in some pretty serious danger, because they missed his birthday, and they would never do that. It’s told in a journal-style format, and each chapter ends with notes from Ronald’s butler, who corrects some of Ronald’s exaggerations. Arree Chung does an amazing job with these illustrations, perfectly capturing the humorous nature of the book, while also showing their great adventures. I loved these illustrations.
I laughed out loud quite a bit while reading this. While it has tons of fun adventure, it’s also incredibly funny. (A treat for the whole family to read, if you’re looking for a book that will appeal to everyone.) All the characters are vividly depicted and a joy to learn about. Julianne Sato, Ronald’s fencing rival, is smart, funny, and takes no nonsense from Ronald. I’m excited to see future books with them in it, because they’re such a great team.
What puts this book over the top is that along with humorous situations, an ever-suffering butler, and adventure upon adventure, this book also tackles a bit on what it means to be a friend and a family member. While Ronald keeps a bright outlook, he’s quite worried about his parents, and a little hurt that they don’t take him adventuring with them. It shows a boy’s continuous struggle to prove himself to his parents so he can feel fully accepted into the family business of adventuring.
This is definitely one of my new favorite books. I’m anxiously awaiting the sequel.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
I laughed out loud quite a bit while reading this. While it has tons of fun adventure, it’s also incredibly funny. (A treat for the whole family to read, if you’re looking for a book that will appeal to everyone.) All the characters are vividly depicted and a joy to learn about. Julianne Sato, Ronald’s fencing rival, is smart, funny, and takes no nonsense from Ronald. I’m excited to see future books with them in it, because they’re such a great team.
What puts this book over the top is that along with humorous situations, an ever-suffering butler, and adventure upon adventure, this book also tackles a bit on what it means to be a friend and a family member. While Ronald keeps a bright outlook, he’s quite worried about his parents, and a little hurt that they don’t take him adventuring with them. It shows a boy’s continuous struggle to prove himself to his parents so he can feel fully accepted into the family business of adventuring.
This is definitely one of my new favorite books. I’m anxiously awaiting the sequel.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
March 19, 2021
When Ronald Zupan wakes up on his birthday and discovers his parents haven't returned from their latest adventure, he knows something is wrong. They promised to always be there for his birthday. Ronald has been planning for this his whole life. He gathers his pet cobra, the best swashbuckler he knows (Julianne Sato who is the only one who beat him in the last competition), his trusty butler Jeeves, and heads off to Borneo to save his parents from pirates.
The butler, Tom, (Ronald never remembers his name and just calls him Jeeves) will provide commentary on each chapter to set the record straight from the way Ronald has spun things.
I really enjoyed the tone of this, with Ronald's tall tale-ish chapters and Tom's doses of reality. There's a nice humorous tone to the telling. The adventure is wild and zany, and very entertaining. This is guaranteed to hold the attention of even the most reluctant of readers.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There's run ins with bad guys, but apart from a broken leg and some bee stings, most everybody ends up fine (even if they really shouldn't be...there's an almost cartoonish flavor to this too).
The butler, Tom, (Ronald never remembers his name and just calls him Jeeves) will provide commentary on each chapter to set the record straight from the way Ronald has spun things.
I really enjoyed the tone of this, with Ronald's tall tale-ish chapters and Tom's doses of reality. There's a nice humorous tone to the telling. The adventure is wild and zany, and very entertaining. This is guaranteed to hold the attention of even the most reluctant of readers.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There's run ins with bad guys, but apart from a broken leg and some bee stings, most everybody ends up fine (even if they really shouldn't be...there's an almost cartoonish flavor to this too).
July 29, 2018
My ten-year-old son used to be a reluctant reader until he started reading The Danger Gang and The Pirates of Borneo. Last night, I had to ask him to stop reading because it was way past his bedtime. His response, "Just one more chapter?" Be still my heart! Although, I can't blame him. This book is fast-paced and funny! If your reader craves adventure with a daring twist and a dashing young hero, this is the book to buy!
August 22, 2017
Stephen Bramucci unfurls a whirlwind of adventure in his debut novel The Danger Gang and The Pirates of Borneo! Set amid the jungles in (and below!) Borneo, eleven-year-old Ronald Zupan must learn to leave his ego behind as he braves obstacles in order to save his parents, who have been kidnapped by the ruthless pirate Zeetan Z.
Zupan, who has a penchant for puffing himself up, finally faces an adventure that requires no exaggeration. With the help of his butler Jeeves, his new friend (and fencing foe) Julianne, and his venom-less cobra Carter, they just might fly a cargo plane, fight an angry army of orangutans, and spar with a few feisty ne’er-do-wells as they climb and fall and swim through the mosquito-infested and wild-animal-laden jungles of Borneo.
I was most struck by the hilarity and the sweet subtle guidance of his butler Jeeves, who, because of Zupan’s parents’ constant quests, pretty much doubles as his guardian. Each chapter ends with a note from the butler pointing out all the errors/exaggerations in Zupan’s previous chapter. I found myself smiling and giggling in every chapter, and I can’t wait to read this book out loud to my nieces. In a growing YA/MG world where not everything is appropriate for every age anymore, it was so refreshing to read something that an eighth grader would love, but that I could also read to my seven-year-old niece without hesitation. She could read it on her own, but there are so few books out there that are a joy to read out loud, and this one lends itself to engaging oral storytelling for teachers and parents (and aunts too!).
Every character in the story goes through a wonderful arc, learning and growing through the mischief and mayhem, thus proving, as Zupan points out halfway through his tale, “That’s the thing about thrilling adventures….They change you, whether you know it or not.” Take yourself on an adventure: read this book!
Zupan, who has a penchant for puffing himself up, finally faces an adventure that requires no exaggeration. With the help of his butler Jeeves, his new friend (and fencing foe) Julianne, and his venom-less cobra Carter, they just might fly a cargo plane, fight an angry army of orangutans, and spar with a few feisty ne’er-do-wells as they climb and fall and swim through the mosquito-infested and wild-animal-laden jungles of Borneo.
I was most struck by the hilarity and the sweet subtle guidance of his butler Jeeves, who, because of Zupan’s parents’ constant quests, pretty much doubles as his guardian. Each chapter ends with a note from the butler pointing out all the errors/exaggerations in Zupan’s previous chapter. I found myself smiling and giggling in every chapter, and I can’t wait to read this book out loud to my nieces. In a growing YA/MG world where not everything is appropriate for every age anymore, it was so refreshing to read something that an eighth grader would love, but that I could also read to my seven-year-old niece without hesitation. She could read it on her own, but there are so few books out there that are a joy to read out loud, and this one lends itself to engaging oral storytelling for teachers and parents (and aunts too!).
Every character in the story goes through a wonderful arc, learning and growing through the mischief and mayhem, thus proving, as Zupan points out halfway through his tale, “That’s the thing about thrilling adventures….They change you, whether you know it or not.” Take yourself on an adventure: read this book!
August 22, 2019
A stupendously splendid swashbuckling escapade of derring-do!
Between the beautifully illustrated covers of The Danger Gang and the Pirates of Borneo!, the reader is sure to discover a treasure chest overflowing with heart, humor, and heroics, the likes of which will leave them thirsting for the The Danger Gang's next adventure in some far-flung land! Headed up by the well-intentioned, albeit overzealous, 11-year-old Ronald Zupan, The Danger Gang sets off on a perilous journey by land, air, and sea in hopes of rescuing Ronald's parents from the dastardly modern-day pirate, Zeetan Z.
Bramucci's prose flows as swift as the mighty Kapuas River and his plot structuring is filled with just as many twists and turns. With his sharp, witty dialogue (which I'd liken to fencing with words) and vivid scene description, Bramucci brings this charming story, and all its unique three-dimensional characters, fully to life in the readers mind. You may even find yourself enchanted with the old, cranky, defanged, king cobra, Carter, who proves just as essential to the story as every other warmblooded mammal living within the pages...including the bats.
This is a wonderful tale for young and old alike, and I highly recommend it!
Between the beautifully illustrated covers of The Danger Gang and the Pirates of Borneo!, the reader is sure to discover a treasure chest overflowing with heart, humor, and heroics, the likes of which will leave them thirsting for the The Danger Gang's next adventure in some far-flung land! Headed up by the well-intentioned, albeit overzealous, 11-year-old Ronald Zupan, The Danger Gang sets off on a perilous journey by land, air, and sea in hopes of rescuing Ronald's parents from the dastardly modern-day pirate, Zeetan Z.
Bramucci's prose flows as swift as the mighty Kapuas River and his plot structuring is filled with just as many twists and turns. With his sharp, witty dialogue (which I'd liken to fencing with words) and vivid scene description, Bramucci brings this charming story, and all its unique three-dimensional characters, fully to life in the readers mind. You may even find yourself enchanted with the old, cranky, defanged, king cobra, Carter, who proves just as essential to the story as every other warmblooded mammal living within the pages...including the bats.
This is a wonderful tale for young and old alike, and I highly recommend it!
August 26, 2017
Avast! Set sail for adventure with RONALD ZUPAN and the Danger Gang! With equal parts humor and heart, this is a book that will keep kids and adults turning pages and thrilling to each and every close call that befalls our heroes. If you grew up with The Goonies and wonder where all the daring stories of pirate ships, hidden treasures, booby traps, and mortal peril are for kids today, look no further than The Danger Gang!
Readers interested in exploration and wildlife will be particularly tickled to find mention of rare, elusive, and secretive species that often go unnoticed in the jungles of Borneo, and even more often unmentioned in books! When is the last time you saw a clouded leopard in children's literature?
Readers interested in exploration and wildlife will be particularly tickled to find mention of rare, elusive, and secretive species that often go unnoticed in the jungles of Borneo, and even more often unmentioned in books! When is the last time you saw a clouded leopard in children's literature?
July 12, 2019
Serious adventure with tongue in cheek humor. Ronald goes to rescue his parents from a dastardly pirate villain, taking along his butler and fencing friend, Sato. They meet three-fingered jack and his trained orangutang army, nefarious scoundrels, and more! Ronald also learns about friendship and loyalty along the way. Will appeal to both boys and girls.
September 30, 2017
I loved this book. The characters were fun and memorable and their dialogue was humorous and realistic. The story combined non-stop action and the overarching message of true friendship, making this one of my favorite reads. The illustrations moved the story and added dimension to the characters.
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July 25, 2017SO much fun! Full of humor, heart, and lots of adventure! Would make a fabulous read aloud.
August 9, 2017
This book is a thrilling adventure with twists and turns. And it is a great book for strengthening reading skills of young readers, the author highlights several new words and uses word play along with vivid imagery to paint the story.
June 21, 2018
The Danger Gang and the Pirates of Borneo is a middle grade novel written by Stephen Bramucci, and illustrated by Arree Chung. Ronald Zupan is a daring master adventurer! But he actually hasn't experienced any grand adventures yet! When his world-traveling parents are kidnapped on his twelfth birthday, Ronald seizes the chance to prove himself with a dazzling, danger-defying rescue operation. Teaming up with his trusty butler Jeeves, his quick-witted fencing nemesis Julianne Sato, and his pet cobra Carter, Ronald sets course for the jungle of Borneo where his parents were last sighted. If they can crash-land a plane and outrun a hungry snow leopard, surely they can find the secret lair of Zeetan Z, the world's most ruthless pirate! But as their adventure becomes more and more dangerous, can Ronald and his companions muster enough courage to see this adventure through?
The Danger Gang and the Pirates of Borneo is a fun adventure for middle grade readers. Ronald is the best adventurer ever, just ask him. With big ideas, grand plans, and an ego bigger than life Ronald is eager to jump in feet first regardless of the consequences. I liked the full blown adventure, and the eagerness the younger adventure goers dive into the mystery and adventure. I think my favorite character was the poor butler, not really named Jeeves, who follows all of Ronald's journal entries with comments and commentary of his own. I will admit that I occasionally lost interest and set the book aside, but always ended up picking it back up. I think my issue was that I have known too many adults like Ronald- people that think their perception of the world is true despite all evidence to the contrary. At first it was fun and made me laugh, but the number of people that live their lives like that made it much less enjoyable for me. However, that's on me rather than an issue with the author and the story.
The Danger Gang and the Pirates of Borneo is a fun and quirky adventure that I think will be a favorite among many middle grade readers. Just because it did not hit the right chord with me, there is no reason to think it will not resonate with others.
The Danger Gang and the Pirates of Borneo is a fun adventure for middle grade readers. Ronald is the best adventurer ever, just ask him. With big ideas, grand plans, and an ego bigger than life Ronald is eager to jump in feet first regardless of the consequences. I liked the full blown adventure, and the eagerness the younger adventure goers dive into the mystery and adventure. I think my favorite character was the poor butler, not really named Jeeves, who follows all of Ronald's journal entries with comments and commentary of his own. I will admit that I occasionally lost interest and set the book aside, but always ended up picking it back up. I think my issue was that I have known too many adults like Ronald- people that think their perception of the world is true despite all evidence to the contrary. At first it was fun and made me laugh, but the number of people that live their lives like that made it much less enjoyable for me. However, that's on me rather than an issue with the author and the story.
The Danger Gang and the Pirates of Borneo is a fun and quirky adventure that I think will be a favorite among many middle grade readers. Just because it did not hit the right chord with me, there is no reason to think it will not resonate with others.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews