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The Dare: Friends, Family, and Other Eerie Mysteries
Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up
Scholastic Book Clubs selection
Oklahoma Book Award Honor
Illinois Reads List selection
U.S. Asian Pacific American Library Association Selection
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.
"Paris's desire for friendship will ring true with middle school readers." - School Library Journal
"I love Paris Pan takes the Dare so much I have read it five times. Cynthea Liu, you are awesome, you write the best books in the world. I think Paris Pan takes the Dare is the best!" Your number one fan, Hanna
"I got my copy of Paris Pan last night and started reading it to my daughter. We're going to do one chapter a night as our bedtime reading. It's really easy to read out loud, too. We're enjoying it!" - C. Tahmaseb, Parent
"My 7-year-old has been reading Paris at bedtime, under the covers and wearing one of those forehead flashlights." - Parent
"I bought two copies and gave one to [daughter's] best friend...Meanwhile, they are reading (without being pushed) a chapter a night to each other on ichat! They are so cute. Then they discuss the chapter and are LOVING the book." - Flora, Parent
"Oh, I loved it! I finished it in one sitting tonight! Paris is a hoot!" - Kathleen, Children's Bookseller
"I loved it too! I'm really looking forward to you visiting our school! I know the kids will really enjoy it!" - Courtney, Elementary School Teacher
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the book. I stayed up past my bedtime last night reading and then finished it over breakfast this morning, making myself late for work!" - Roxanne, Writer
"My 7-year-old has been reading Paris at bedtime, under the covers and wearing one of those forehead flashlights." - Parent "Paris Pan Takes the Dare" is a masterpiece. Child readers will grow up and present battered copies to their children who will wonder what all the fuss is about, then present even more battered copies to their children." FredTownWard ★★★★★
"Surprisingly creepy in parts, and freshly genuine throughout all, Paris Pan Take
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2019
493 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Cynthea Liu
44 books66 followersCynthea spent her formative years in Oklahoma and Texas where she was a Whiz Quiz member, an Academic Decathloner, and a spelling bee champion. (Yes, she was very popular.) After attending college on the East coast, she worked at a corporate job where she mastered PowerPoint and racked up thousands of frequent flyer miles. Eventually, she traded in her suit for sweats to do the fun stuff–writing for children.
Based in Chicago, Cynthea has spoken to a number of schools in Illinois and across the country. She has also been a guest speaker for national conferences organized by the American Library Association, American Association of School Librarians, Association for Library Services to Children, and the Young Adult Library Services Association, among others. Locally and regionally, Cynthea has also spoken for the Illinois School Media Library Association, the Illinois Reading Council, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Chicago Teacher-Librarians Association. Cynthea is also a frequent guest author for local family literacy nights and young author conferences.
She is also a writing coach and faculty member for both local and national conferences associated with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators as well as universities and colleges. She has been featured on ABC’s Chicago 7 and the Chicago Sun Times.
Based in Chicago, Cynthea has spoken to a number of schools in Illinois and across the country. She has also been a guest speaker for national conferences organized by the American Library Association, American Association of School Librarians, Association for Library Services to Children, and the Young Adult Library Services Association, among others. Locally and regionally, Cynthea has also spoken for the Illinois School Media Library Association, the Illinois Reading Council, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Chicago Teacher-Librarians Association. Cynthea is also a frequent guest author for local family literacy nights and young author conferences.
She is also a writing coach and faculty member for both local and national conferences associated with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators as well as universities and colleges. She has been featured on ABC’s Chicago 7 and the Chicago Sun Times.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 26, 2022
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.
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.
August 5, 2022
A Note To The Author
Thank you ma'am for delivering this wonderful piece of writing. Your book is a encouragement to the Asian writers out there. I came upon this book when I got to know that you were one of the script writers of "Shang Chi and the legend of Ten Rings" and "Turning Red" I have thoroughly enjoyed both of these movies and now this book of your was really amazing. Put it up in my re-reading list.
P.S.
The names of Pan kids were really cool!
Here is my Review:-
A really amazing read for any young adult. It was so mysterious, so warm and loving and such a fun filled book at the same time that I was satisfied to the core.
It contains important lessons for young adults about choosing the right friends, being open to parents, following your heart.
I think the age group for this book ideally is 12-14 years. But you might be even surprised to know that even being a 17 year old I am loving this book for it's true, simple yet intriguing write up.
The characters include:- Paris Pan(Protagonist)- a Chinese-american 12 year old girl who has just shifted to a new town with her family. And goes on to solve a mystery...and maybe discover that she can talk to ghosts. Next in the Pan family is Verona Pan( age:13) who is a show off and stylish, Athens(age 18) who is struggling in college applications...and enjoying his love life. Papa Pan is carefree yet loving. His business keeps the family on the move. He builds and sells houses to people. Mama Pan is the sole stable bread earner of the family and mostly busy in the book. Next is Mayo who is bossy girl and kind of popular in Paris' class. Next is Sam who is timid and tails behind Mayo. Next is Robin who is the school freak as she keeps mostly quiet and has no friends and just loves to read a lot. Next is Cole who is sweet and helpful and Paris has a crush on him even though he stutters and Mayo dislikes him.
Thank you ma'am for delivering this wonderful piece of writing. Your book is a encouragement to the Asian writers out there. I came upon this book when I got to know that you were one of the script writers of "Shang Chi and the legend of Ten Rings" and "Turning Red" I have thoroughly enjoyed both of these movies and now this book of your was really amazing. Put it up in my re-reading list.
P.S.
The names of Pan kids were really cool!
Here is my Review:-
A really amazing read for any young adult. It was so mysterious, so warm and loving and such a fun filled book at the same time that I was satisfied to the core.
It contains important lessons for young adults about choosing the right friends, being open to parents, following your heart.
I think the age group for this book ideally is 12-14 years. But you might be even surprised to know that even being a 17 year old I am loving this book for it's true, simple yet intriguing write up.
The characters include:- Paris Pan(Protagonist)- a Chinese-american 12 year old girl who has just shifted to a new town with her family. And goes on to solve a mystery...and maybe discover that she can talk to ghosts. Next in the Pan family is Verona Pan( age:13) who is a show off and stylish, Athens(age 18) who is struggling in college applications...and enjoying his love life. Papa Pan is carefree yet loving. His business keeps the family on the move. He builds and sells houses to people. Mama Pan is the sole stable bread earner of the family and mostly busy in the book. Next is Mayo who is bossy girl and kind of popular in Paris' class. Next is Sam who is timid and tails behind Mayo. Next is Robin who is the school freak as she keeps mostly quiet and has no friends and just loves to read a lot. Next is Cole who is sweet and helpful and Paris has a crush on him even though he stutters and Mayo dislikes him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2019
Paris Pan Takes the Dare [Kindle Unlimited] — Cynthea Lui (22 chapters) July 10-11, 2019
Fiction book aimed at the pre-teen set: 9-12 year old.
Paris lives in a family that moves a lot, due to her dad’s construction business. Her family is composed of her brother; her sister; her dog, Go; and Dad and Mom. An assortment of “friends” are also a part of the story: Tom, Mayo, Dana, Robin.
The story begins as the family has settled in a new town in Oklahoma, Sweet Water. As the kids adjust to school, Paris attempts to make friends with Mayo and Dana via a death of a girl, a haunting and finds out a lot about herself and her family through that process.
This is a very good story. It got a little draggy in places, but conscious pre-teens will really like this story a lot. It’s contemporary, with a very good lesson at the end about family, friends and social awareness. Heck, an older as myself enjoyed it and that’s sometimes tough with this age group.
At then end of the book the author talks a little bit about the book and left this reader impressed. I will definitely follow this writer. Very original. Loved the family, the story, and the lessons learned.
Four stars!
Fiction book aimed at the pre-teen set: 9-12 year old.
Paris lives in a family that moves a lot, due to her dad’s construction business. Her family is composed of her brother; her sister; her dog, Go; and Dad and Mom. An assortment of “friends” are also a part of the story: Tom, Mayo, Dana, Robin.
The story begins as the family has settled in a new town in Oklahoma, Sweet Water. As the kids adjust to school, Paris attempts to make friends with Mayo and Dana via a death of a girl, a haunting and finds out a lot about herself and her family through that process.
This is a very good story. It got a little draggy in places, but conscious pre-teens will really like this story a lot. It’s contemporary, with a very good lesson at the end about family, friends and social awareness. Heck, an older as myself enjoyed it and that’s sometimes tough with this age group.
At then end of the book the author talks a little bit about the book and left this reader impressed. I will definitely follow this writer. Very original. Loved the family, the story, and the lessons learned.
Four stars!
August 17, 2019
Excellent storty
It had everything in it; scary story element, the complexities with family, it covered emotional things to do with relationships of all kinds, how to be yourself and true to yourself, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Isaac Bawden age 10
It had everything in it; scary story element, the complexities with family, it covered emotional things to do with relationships of all kinds, how to be yourself and true to yourself, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Isaac Bawden age 10
September 27, 2019
Loved it
Enjoyed the book. Even my mom read it. I received good points for my book report and my teacher was proud
Enjoyed the book. Even my mom read it. I received good points for my book report and my teacher was proud
Read
April 28, 2022It’s about being true to yourself and finding your true friends.
October 15, 2023
It was OK. There were good characters and the constant broken English dialogue from the MC’s Chinese parents was consistently funny. Unfortunately the book is extremely light on plot - the Dare is a minor plot element - instead it’s more about the value of making true friends instead of just befriending people who give you attention but just want to use/control you.
Read
June 24, 2023Honestly a bit disappointed with this. I wanted more creeps and this ended being about 15 percent spooky 85 percent growing pains
July 22, 2024
cute
A fun and quick read, would be fun to read with an older kid, as it can be a little spooky!
A fun and quick read, would be fun to read with an older kid, as it can be a little spooky!
October 24, 2024
So the siblings are horrid to eachother, the parents are distant, & characters repeatedly make cheap shots at a character who stutters, so there wasn't a whole lot to like.
But the biggest problem is the horror element. This will definitely give some 9-11 year olds nightmares. And if it doesn't, they're probably being exposed to more stuff like this so have become numb to it. But there's a lot of talk about murder and serial killers and the house of a dead girl and the threat of the murderer coming back to the same place to kill another kid, and what kind of person might be a serial killer, talk of body parts found in the woods, rotted out eyes, a body chopped to bits, creepy encounters with the ghost of a girl, scary dolls, talk of drowning, talk of not finding all the bones of the dead girl, children using a ouija board and talking to the dead, talk of people being possessed, evil spirits, talk of suicide, séance, two teens doing 'something' in the shed, a ghost tapping on a kid's window...
And for a kid with any imagination this is going to be pretty disturbing and plant thoughts and ideas around horrid topics in their heads. Please guard your children from this kind of story!!
The author should have pitched it older if she wanted the story to centre around a murder and necromancy.
Also, to elaborate on what I mentioned above, the story is very insensitive towards people with speech-impediments. A character gets mocked as being brain-damaged for having a stutter.
'Geez' is used as well.
But the biggest problem is the horror element. This will definitely give some 9-11 year olds nightmares. And if it doesn't, they're probably being exposed to more stuff like this so have become numb to it. But there's a lot of talk about murder and serial killers and the house of a dead girl and the threat of the murderer coming back to the same place to kill another kid, and what kind of person might be a serial killer, talk of body parts found in the woods, rotted out eyes, a body chopped to bits, creepy encounters with the ghost of a girl, scary dolls, talk of drowning, talk of not finding all the bones of the dead girl, children using a ouija board and talking to the dead, talk of people being possessed, evil spirits, talk of suicide, séance, two teens doing 'something' in the shed, a ghost tapping on a kid's window...
And for a kid with any imagination this is going to be pretty disturbing and plant thoughts and ideas around horrid topics in their heads. Please guard your children from this kind of story!!
The author should have pitched it older if she wanted the story to centre around a murder and necromancy.
Also, to elaborate on what I mentioned above, the story is very insensitive towards people with speech-impediments. A character gets mocked as being brain-damaged for having a stutter.
'Geez' is used as well.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews