Gershon, Dann 1955-

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Gershon, Dann 1955-

PERSONAL:

Born April 30, 1955.

ADDRESSES:

Home and office—Miami, FL.

CAREER:

Author and entrepreneur.

WRITINGS:

Hangin' with the Hombres: The Spelling Bee, Noware Books, 1997.

Hangin' with the Hombeez: Beez in Toyland, Noware Books, 1998.

Hangin' with the Hombeez: Extra Large, Noware Books, 1998.

(With sister, Gina Gershon) Camp Creepy Time, Putnam (New York, NY), 2007.

ADAPTATIONS:

DreamWorks Films/Nick Movies purchased the film rights to Camp Creepy Time, with Richard LaGravenese slated to write the screenplay.

SIDELIGHTS:

Brother and sister writing team Dann and Gina Gershon combine their creative talents to produce Camp Creepy Time, a middle-grade children's book that centers on a summer camp that is staffed by aliens. Gina Gershon is also an actor whose film work includes Pretty in Pink and The Insider, while Dann Gershon is an entrepreneur and writer whose work includes contributions to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA) campaign. His work for the PDFA generated his "Hangin' with the Hombeez" books, a series that is geared towards at-risk youth.

Dann Gershon initially came up with the idea for Camp Creepy Time when he wrote a rough draft as an escape from a work project. When Gina persistently encouraged him to tie up the loose ends of the draft, Dann agreed, making Gina his coauthor. In an online interview with Once upon a Bookshelf, Dann Gershon noted that he and Gina each bring their individual talents to the book: "I worked on plot and story line, along with character development. Gina drew on her years of acting experience to punch up the dialogue and make sure that the characters stayed in character."

The main character of Camp Creepy Time is Einstein P. Fleet, a thirteen-year-old computer aficionado who is forced to go to summer camp by his parents. Strangely enough, the camp is isolated in the Mojave Desert, and upon arriving Einstein notices even more unusual things about the place. For instance, the campers all wear monster costumes and the camp staff serves mysterious salt tablets that cause even stranger effects. Booklist reviewer Kay Weisman wrote that while the book lacks strong character development and plot, Camp Creepy Time is "still … an entertaining, quick read." Lauralyn Persson in School Library Journal echoed Weisman's sentiments on the title's unwieldy plot structure, but also commented that the Gershons "have a way with words and are on target for the type of sarcastic humor that will amuse some children."