Paris Pan Takes the Dare [Hardcover]

Cynthea Liu (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 11, 2009 | Age Range: 8 and up | Lexile Measure: 500L (What's this?)

So what if it?s a rite of passage for every seventhgrade girl in town to spend a night in the woods? Paris Pan only just moved here, the woods are supercreepy, and she has enough weirdness to deal with in her own family. Finding out a girl died mysteriously years ago while on the Dare?right near Paris?s new house, no less?is bad enough, but the unmistakably ghostlike noises coming out of the broken-down shed at the edge of the Pan?s property? Definite deal breaker.

All Paris wants is to make friends, try to fit in, and not have to deal with a dead girl. But everyone has to take the Dare, and the new girl?s turn is up. . . .

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–7—Moving to a new city every time her father finishes building and selling a house makes it hard for 12-year-old Paris Pan to make friends, so when two girls immediately seek her out on her first day at school and invite her to a party, she is thrilled. The catch, as Paris learns, is that the party is for Mayo's 13th birthday. It turns out that 20 years earlier, a girl was dared to spend the night in the woods alone and disappeared. Her body was found weeks later, and the cause of death was never definitively proven. Since then, all girls turning 13 take the Dare as a kind of rite of passage, and Mayo expects Paris to sleep in the woods with her and her friend. To make matters worse, Paris discovers that Beth disappeared where the Pans now live, and when she begins hearing noises at night, she wonders if the dead girl is haunting her. Paris's character is convincing—particularly in scenes in which she struggles internally while Mayo cruelly teases the class "freak," Robin. The ghost story/urban legend that drives the plot is well presented. Less well developed are the relationships in the Chinese-American Pan family, and Paris's parents speak in broken English that doesn't seem natural. Overall, though, the book is well paced and Paris's desire for friendship will ring true with middle school readers.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL
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Review

"...will ring true with middle school readers." --School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile; First Edition edition (June 11, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399250433
• ISBN-13: 978-0399250439
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,380,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

More reviews from real parents for Cynthea's Latest Book WOOBY AND PEEP:

"What a cute story that even the youngest of children will enjoy having you read to them. My daughter Savannah kept asking me what the balloon tags on each page read. This is what kept her engaged, in addition to the cute illustrations with their soft blue and pink hues. Truly a treat to enjoy with your children, and a great choice to share for Valentine's Day." - Robin M., read the full review at Inspired by Savannah

"There is no better message to share with your children then to accept another's differences and look for something you can connect with them about. Tolerance, acceptance, and friendship are great themes in this fun book. And the illustrations are fabulous! With so much to look at and explore on each page my daughter stayed fully engaged while we read this story together!" - Momma Drama

"This is a great book to read with younger and older children about patience with new peers, getting to know people, and trying to find things in common with others." - Beth, The Angel Forever

"In this very unique picture book, a sweet and funny story is paired with unusual art to give readers a memorable picture book experience. Readers will find it hard not to laugh as poor Peep tries to be the best friend she can be, and it is heartwarming to see how Wooby comes to understand and appreciate Peep's intentions. As they read the story and watch Wooby and Peep interact, children we see that very different people (or animals) can become friends." - Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews

"I loved this book, as it really opens up to show us that although people might be totally different, you can always make friends ... even in unusual circumstances!" - Noelle at Jumpin' Beans

MORE ABOUT CYNTHEA

Cynthea Liu left a career as a technology consultant to become a full-fledged children's writer, proving that anyone, no matter how inexperienced, can write for children if one has the drive and the patience to learn. She obtained a literary agent within her first year as a writer and sold two novels soon after at auction to the Penguin Group. Her third book sold to Penguin on proposal. WOOBY AND PEEP is her latest title from Sterling.

Cynthea currently lives in Chicago.

Photo Credit: Sonya Sones

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it! September 3, 2009

By L.J. Boldyrev

Format:Hardcover

This book really surprised me! I loved it! It's cute, funny, a little scary at times and an altogether entertaining coming-of-age story. The mystery keeps you guessing all the way up to the end, but it's not so complicated that young readers wouldn't be able to follow the clues. The book its self is beautiful. I love the cover design and the colors. It's a perfect scary-starter book for young readers, but its sure to be enjoyed by adults (such as myself) as well.

[...]

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent story! October 19, 2012

By Mama Lion

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a fun and fast paced story. Paris Pan is a great character, she seems real, and it's interesting to read about her friendships. She struggles with her parents -- that part seems real too -- but there's a lot of love that helps them find their way. Paris has to make some important choices about her friends, crush, and what kind of person she wants to be. Very entertaining and enjoyable. I highly recommend this book!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Take This Dare! June 11, 2009

By Saundra Mitchell

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Paris Pan (along with sister Verona, and brother Athens,) have been shuttled from house to house and town to town for so long, that ending up in a tiny school without only 97 people, several freaks, and a couple of mean girls as possible friends, Paris is just glad to be on the friend side, not the freak side. But when she gets embroiled in a Dare- to spend the night in the woods where Beth Conlon went missing 20 years before- Paris struggles to figure out how to get out of it, which friends are...more Paris Pan (along with sister Verona, and brother Athens,) have been shuttled from house to house and town to town for so long, that ending up in a tiny school without only 97 people, several freaks, and a couple of mean girls as possible friends, Paris is just glad to be on the friend side, not the freak side. But when she gets embroiled in a Dare- to spend the night in the woods where Beth Conlon went missing 20 years before- Paris struggles to figure out how to get out of it, which friends are worth it, and what it means to really belong. Surprisingly creepy in parts, and freshly genuine throughout all, Paris Pan Takes the Dare is the perfect starter scary story for the 10 and up set, and a charming addition to any Coming Of Age collection