Name: Briar's Reviews's review of The Dare by Cynthea Liu
Item: The Dare
Rating: 5
Author: Briar's Reviews

Cynthea Liu

Twelve-year-old Paris Pan has moved to a small town where she has a real shot at making friends. But that friendship comes at a price. She must take The Dare, something that caused a girl to disappear on the very property she now resides. To make matters worse, Paris must play basketball against her will, eradicate a crush on the least desirable boy in seventh grade, and cope with a family crisis that was possibly caused by a chili dog.

Friends, Family, and Other Eerie Mysteries

The Dare

Briar's Reviews

Sometimes you just want to read a middle grade book that brings you back to your youth! Who doesn't love a good nostalgia trip?

The Dare by Cynthea Liu was a delightful read that reminded me of the days I spent reading my summers away as a kid. This book might not have been around back then, but it gave me the same warm and fuzzy feeling on the inside. 

Paris Pan is twelve years old and just moved to a small town. She goes to a new school where she quickly makes friends but they want her to participate in "The Dare." This dare caused a girl to disappear and die many years ago, but is now a right of passage to preteens and can cause quite a scare. Sleep the night out in the forest and hope the "boogeyman" doesn't kill you like they did that poor girl... And of course, with all of that Paris has to join the basketball team to please her parents, try to not make friends with the "weirdo" kids so she FINALLY fits in somewhere, deal with a crush on the boy everyone makes fun of, and deal with all of the family drama and crisis management one twelve year old girl can handle... Paris has a lot going on, but this girl is STRONG and has a great sense of humour.

This story was an absolute delight. It's fast paced, has lots of drama and comedy packed in, and feels exactly like how I felt when I was a middle grader. Throw in the ghostly mystery and you've got a relatable but fantastical book! Middle graders will love this chapter book and will likely get a good kick out of it. Plus, it deals with all of those educational moments we want them to learn about - bullying, peer pressure, friendship, empathy, etc. The final theme? Be true to yourself.

If you're looking for a new middle grade read, I highly recommend this one. I can't sing enough praises for how well this book is written. More readers need to find Cynthea Liu's books! She's a hidden gem. Also, Cynthea Liu is an Asian author, so let's celebrate the diversity her books bring! 

Five out of five stars.

Briar's Reviews &
The Dare by Cynthea Liu

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Briar's Reviews &The Dare by Cynthea Liu

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Join the club

Briar's Reviews &
The Dare by Cynthea Liu