Dan Santat

Dan Santat is the author and protagonist of this memoir. He is also the most dynamic character in the book, changing dramatically over the couple of weeks he spends in Europe. When he leaves for Europe, he is negative and is not interested in experiencing new things. He had been bullied frequently in junior high, and he does not have any hope that things will get better. He wants to be able to spend his summer at home, but his parents push him to go on the trip because they want him to experience more of the world.

Santat’s transformation is slow, and when he first gets to Europe, he still sees mainly the negative in things. The first surprise comes, however, before he even leaves when he meets two boys who become his friends on the trip. He is able to enjoy the long flight...