Good read... One of the best in the series. Captures the mind of a teenage boy well. Would recommend. ( )

Shurie Geis
EDCI 4120
6-16-08

Hopkins, Cathy (2002). Truth or Dare: Double Dare. New York: Simon Pulse

Grade Levels: 6-9

Category: Problem novel

Read-Alouds: pp. 23-30 (Roz’s double dare), 133-145 (Emily’s visit), 148-159 (Emily leaves, date with Shazza), 218-224 (honesty pays off).

Summary: The main character, Mac, breaks up with his girlfriend. He then gets a double dare to go to London and apply to do some cartooning for a major magazine, as well as take out a girl. While he is there, he does the double dare, but also meets another girl, Emily, whom he really connects with. He runs into one dating blunder after another, until he finally decides to be honest with all of these girls.

Themes: As with the last novel in this series, this novel deals a ton with honesty and integrity. Also, a lot of issues surrounding teen dating and sexuality are addressed here. Another issue that is addressed is family relationships. He is a young man living with three women, so a lot of times the author talks about his masculinity versus their feminine attributes.

Discussion Questions:
Is the author condoning this juvenile game of “truth or dare”? How can you tell?
What does Mac learn about dating throughout this story?
What is Mac’s relationship with his father? Is this healthy?

Reader Response: I think that this novel is a bit juvenile in its language, and almost a little too innocent. These stories are based in England though, so maybe they are true to teens there. Some of the issues dealt with I believe could be used in my classroom, and these stories are definitely easy to read. I connected with Mac and wanted him to succeed. However, the characters weren’t developed as strongly as I would have liked. This could be because this is a series, and after reading the first one, you are supposed to recognize all of the characters. I think that a sixth to ninth grader could connect very well with these characters, and relate to the problems that Mac is facing. As with the first one, Mac is portrayed as a very responsible young man, who is searching for the right thing to do. So, he is a worth while role model for young people. Although, I don’t personally feel that his character is believable.