Paula Danziger is one of the best-selling authors for young adults currently working in the United States, perhaps most widely known for The Cat Ate My Gymsuit. Her characters tend to be good-hearted 'outlaws' rebelling against rigid and confused parents...

Paula Danziger is a best-selling author of novels for teens and pre-teens who is known for her light and humorous take on the serious problems that beset adolescents, including the break-up of a family, issues of self-esteem and identity, dysfunctional f...

Miss Danziger's popularity, like Mrs. [Judy] Blume's, is easily explained, but the reasons for it are quite different. In spite of its trendy title, "Bunk Five" is not a funny story any more than its predecessor was—notwithstanding the frequent one-liner zingers in both—and Marcy's family life continues to be miserable, her father a monster, the communication gap a chasm. Marcy begins, of course, to learn tolerance and understanding at camp, to become, presum...

In some ways [There's A Bat in Bunk Five] is the usual camping story of pranks, bunkmates, adjustment to separation from parents, etc. This doesn't, however, follow a formula plot; it has depth in the relationships and characterizations; and it's written with vigor and humor. Marcy learns not to expect too much from others, not to assume that all problems will—or can—be solved; she also learns not to expect too much from herself.

Zena Sutherland, "New T...

Danziger's ability to create believable, funny dialogue and to capture the feelings and thoughts of a 14-year-old is highly evident [in There's A Bat in Bunk Five]. Episodes roll along without much tension or drama, unfortunately, and what is there is too quickly resolved; but readers will be captivated by the natural flow and breezy style.

Barbara Elleman, "Children's Books: 'There's a Bat in Bunk Five'," in Booklist (reprinted by permiss...