Daniel: The Age of Discovery

by Peter Pactor

Daniel French is the twelve-year old son of one of the world's wealthiest men. Daniel may be rich in resources, but he is definitely poor in emotional ties with people and practically bankrupt in social skills. Ignored by his parents and mistreated by those employed to take care of him, Daniel has become manipulative and skilled in verbal self-defense. Never allowed to associate with people his own age, and never allowed to attend school, he found his friends within the books and fine art of the three-story library tower located on his family's estate. There he became entirely self-educated, and there he developed his passion for learning. When he is sent off to Cornwall Academy, a boarding school, he is so inept with people that he immediately becomes the outcast with everyone except his roommate. Small in body, great in knowledge and intellect, Daniel begins to learn quickly, and to adapt. His school community helps him to grow, but Daniel has lessons for both his fellow students and teachers. It is an important day in the life of a school when any new student enters that school. That student has the opportunity to be an influence for good or an influence for evil. Daniel has made his choices. Certainly, his four months spent at Cornwall Academy, are for Daniel The Age of Discovery.

294 pages, Paperback

Published January 8, 2016

About the author

I have spent all my life with young people. I started out their age and now I'm over four times as old as they are. I retired from teaching in June of 2016 after a half-century of being in the classroom. I feel that one should change careers every fifty years. Now I am an award winning author. My "Daniel Series" currently has six volumes, written with the reader in mind.
Besides the pleasure I get from writing, I also enjoy reading, painting, playing folk music on my banjo, and storytelling, which I have been doing for almost three decades.

Reviews

[Jackie Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Daniels story, son of the Richest man, in the early nineteen hundreds. Daniel was a lonely child. Never had a friend. Wasn't close to his parents. Was self taught in an enormous library in the estate he lived in. He was extremely intellegent. He is put into a boarding school at the age of twelve and makes enemies on the first day as he has no people skills. Loved this character as he is developed through the pages and learns about others in the school. Is a sad book in some ways yet uplifting in others. All the characters fit as the story evolves in a coming of age life. Found it quite entertaining and could't put it down. Thanks to Goodreads.

[Bert van der Vaart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a somewhat idiosyncratic coming of age novel--actually recounting a 12 year old boy's (Daniel's) first semester at a boarding school in the Northeast of the United States in 1928, as told by the now older Daniel. It is a mixture of episodes by which Daniel "grows up" among the other students--some of which are bullies, and some of which become Daniel's friends. Throughout it all, the author shows how Daniel makes the right decisions, or when he does not, how he learns from his mistakes. But he also writes this in the year before the Great Depression, with some clear indications to the reader that underscore Daniel's growing sense of responsibility for his own life, and admonishes people who are "just following the crowd". It is the interplay of the USA--or at least the wealthy, Hudson Valley USA and its offspring--before the storm and after WWI and the Spanish Flu which makes this story that much more interesting. This would be a great book for adolescents to read--if only they had the distance from their daily lives to be able to appreciate the lessons. But it is a very good book even for those of us no longer adolescents.

[Geary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it to be very creative way to challenge your thoughts on what is possible. It is very easy to say I can’t do something, but is it really possible if we tried.

[Reader Views · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Chris (age 16) for Reader Views Kids (11/16)

“Daniel: The Age of Discovery” by Peter Pactor is the story of Daniel French. Daniel attends boarding school, Cornwell Academy, after years of being secluded, hidden, and mistreated by the people around him. Daniel goes through many life lessons and learns valuable life skills throughout the story that will correlate with someone who might read this novel.

The author’s use of the problems in America in the1920s is so insightful and felt like you could be a part of Daniel's life. The book is generally for young adults ages 15 and up. They could possibly relate to the life skills that Daniel learns, but not so much the hoops he jumps through to learn these life lessons. There are companions and friends throughout the story, including his roommate, that help Daniel through his challenges and the many differences between life at the academy and at home. "Your life is your responsibility," was the best message in this story.

My personal experiences relating to the topic of this book is that I have been through many hoops throughout my life, and I could relate to Daniel's life struggles. Pactor spent many years being around students as a teacher and the message of the many life lessons he included was great. I enjoyed them, as I now would like to find the solutions to my own lessons, and skills I am possibly lacking.

The storyline in “Daniel: The Age of Discovery” was great but felt a bit repetitive. My favorite part is when Daniel learned his lesson, different life skills, and got used to Cornwall Academy. I learned many valuable things from Daniel and the storytelling of Peter Pactor. I am definitely looking forward to reading more of Pactor’s novels as well as his stories of life.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
This was an interesting and thought provoking book. It started out slowly and I actually was tempted to put it aside. However, when Mr. Aaronson gave his 'I am responsible for my life' lecture in the Latin class, the book began to draw me in. That principle changed Daniel and, as a consequence, changed those Daniel interacted with. The message was driven home that it is one's reactions and decisions to the circumstances of their life that determine the direction their life goes. A powerful message to everyone both young and old.
I also appreciated the little historical tidbits that were thrown in as learning examples (for example, Socrates, Lincoln, Franklin). They certainly added more interest to the story.
And, as a bonus, there was the tutorial of what was happening in the stock market right before the crash of 1929. That laid out the story of the speculation that was occurring and the disaster that was looming.
All in all, there was a lot of information contained in this easy-to-read book. I am sure the next episode of Daniels's life will be just as enlightening.

[Peter Pactor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote it and I have read it at least a dozen times, but with the sequel having been just released, I thought I should read it again before I read the now published sequel, Daniel: The Age of Anxiety.
I struggled about reading it another time, but I'm glad I did. I still found the story fresh and engaging, and there were many passages that still moved me.

I encourage all readers to read this book. I believe they will enjoy it.

[Charlotte Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Daniel: The Age of Discovery" by Peter Pactor ~ This book reinforces the value of a classical education. Daniel is twelve years old and has a passion for learning ~ which helps him go from rich brat to a more reasonable young teen. Mr. Pactor has included lots of interesting tidbits throughout the story that will make you want to read a few more books :)

[Robert Thibodeau]

Excellent book! It was not what I expected...Peter Pactor kept me reading and wanting more, all the way throughout the book! I am looking forward to the next sequel to come out...I will definitely be ordering it.