Dare

Darren Jamieson never backs down from a dare. The toughest kid in Crossing, Alberta is no stranger to the kind of trouble that befalls rebellious foster children in small towns - a little vandalism, angry falling-outs with foster parents, recklessness, injuries, and run-ins with the police. When Dare's grandmother passes away, the task of breaking this wild child falls into the hands of a local rancher and subsistute teacher, Laura. Dare, who would rather just take off to a sunnier life in California, agrees to stay with Laura for the sake of his kid brother, Tyler. But Laura and Dare do not get along. Something terrible haunts Dare, and Laura's attempt to work it out of him is noble, worthy, and believable. Halvorson's coming-of-age novel is another in a series of books for young adults set in rural Alberta. The characters are familiar, yet unique; they are true to the small town teen persona. The effective use of literary devices, dialogue, and young adult-centered themes in this story lends the novel to worthwhile study for middle-school age students. The novel is well paced, filled with realistic action, and a climatic finish. Dare does not, however, provide the young reader with a good example of technically polished novel writing. The reader is not rewarded with a piece of high literary merit. Halvorson's use of literary licence does little but confuse and distract. The author's writing does not set a good example for aspiring novelists. The story is rewarding, though. The pages will turn rapidly through to its fiery ending.

Dare was an excellen book. I read it for novel study and read ahead because i couldn't wait to hear what would happen next!!!! I reccomend this book to people who like reading???

I THOUGHT THIS BOOK WAS REALLY GOOD! IT WAS ABOUT TWO YOUNG BOYS WHO'S MOTHER DIED AND FATHER LEFT THEM. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A FEW YEARS, WHEN THEY HAD BEEN LIVING WITH THEIR GRANDMA, THEY HAD FINALLY FELT LIKE A FAMILY AGAIN. BUT ONE DAY THEIR GRANDMA HAD A STROKE, AND ONCE AGAIN THEIR LIVES HAVE BEEN TURNED UPSIDE DOWN. IN SCHOOL I HAD TO READ ONE OF MARILYN HALVORSON'S BOOKS, CALLED "COWBOY'S DON'T CRY," AND I HATED IT. BUT "DARE," WAS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT STORY AND I'M GLAD I READ IT. NOW FOR SURE I WILL READ ANOTHER ONE OF HER BOOKS.