Double Dog Dare

by Lisa Graff

What would you do to win a dare war?In a humorous and insightful novel about dares, divorce and friendship, Lisa Graff tells the story of fourth-graders Kansas Bloom and Francine Halata, who start out as archenemies, until--in a battle of wits and willpower--they discover that they have a lot more in common than either would have guessed.This dual-perspective novel will appeal to girls and boys alike--and to anyone who has ever wanted anything so badly that they'd lick a lizard to get it.Praise for DOUBLE DOG DARE “[A] perceptive and funny book….the way [Graff] handles her characters is spot-on.” --Booklist “Readers will be hooked by the first chapter….All in all, an enjoyable, lighthearted read about a difficult topic.” --School Library Journal “Graff's…story is lighthearted and humorous, but honestly addresses the emotions associated with divorce. Her characters' voices, interactions, and hangups are relatable, as they battle each other and adjust to their families' reconfigurations.” --Publishers Weekly

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Divorce, School, Humor

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 12, 2012

About the author

Lisa Graff is the critically acclaimed and award-winning author of the National Book Award nominee A Tangle of Knots, as well as Lost in the Sun, Absolutely Almost, Double Dog Dare, Umbrella Summer, The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower, The Thing About Georgie and Sophie Simon Solves Them All. Originally from California, she lived for many years in New York City and now makes her home just outside of Philadelphia.

Reviews

[EJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging and quick read that mainly focuses 1. how disgusting middleschoolers are and 2. how divorce impacts families without delving too heavily into either subject.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

When new kid Kansas Bloom and Francine Halata tie with the same number of votes for the news anchor spot, their fourth grade classmates decide that the winner will be the one who takes all the dares the others can thrown at him/her. Thus begins a mighty conflict filled with humor and more than a little barfing as the two are dared to lick a lizard, consume several packets of ketchup, among other crazy activities. As they compete, they eventually realize that they have quite a lot in common since both of their families are going through divorces. In Francine's case, her father has moved into a new apartment, and she will have to come to terms with the fact that while things won't be the same, the two of them can start new traditions. Kansas must help his younger sister accept the fact that no matter how well intended, their father rarely follows up on his promises, making him more absent than present in their lives. Once the two rivals finally join forces, the results are almost magical and quite impressive as seen in the school talent show. This is a fast read filled with plenty of good lessons and a cast of complicated characters.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read-aloud for “distance/crisis” learning with my kids. Lots of talk of 2 characters dealing with their parents’ divorce(s), which I could’ve done without, but the overall message of “finding new ways to be happy” was timely. We were able to discuss as a family how to have more empathy. Good book for discussing dealing with emotions and different school situations.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book, it is quite funny, the way the two competitors participate in multiple dares, even if it would make them embarrassed or in trouble, to be the news anchor for the media club.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kansas Bloom is the new boy at school who rather than join the basketball team, because it reminds him to much of his dad, decides to hang out in the media club instead. Francine Halata has always wanted to be the news anchor for media club so when the opportunity arises she eagerly tries to prove she is up to the task. When her classmates reach a tie between her and Kansas they decide that the only way to break it is to have a dare competition. The boy or girl who completes the most dares wins. I really liked this book. Each of the chapters is told from the view of either Kansas or Francine as they complete each of their dares. The author also gets the language and feel of fourth graders just right. By also doing these alternating chapters neither Kansas or Francine are the main character and the author is able to show you how both of their families are dealing with going through a divorce. In the end the two realize that they have alot more in common then they thought they did and makes the resolution to the double dog dare that more satisfying.

[Susan Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Francine and Kansas find themselves in a double dog dare competition for who will become the next news anchor of the Fourth Grade Media Club. Each contestant has to take on one dare per day (decided upon by the rest of the club members). If the dare is successfully completed, that individual gets a point. At the end of the competition the one with the most points wins. As Kansas takes an early lead, Francine finds herself playing catch up and having to complete more and more outrageous dares each day. What happens when she is dared to do something totally gross and embarrassing on live TV? Does she want to be news anchor that much??! This one would make a great booktalk. Pair it with The Lemonade War or How to Eat Fried Worms.

[Amy Brewington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't think of any kid who wouldn't love this book! Boys will love it because of dares such as licking a lizard and smelling armpits. The 4th graders in the Media Club engage in a dare war to determine their next news anchor. While the book is often light and silly, it also addresses the subject of divorce and shows children facing difficult family situations. I loved that the author included examples of supportive family members and friends to help the kids accept and adapt to the changes in their lives. This will definitely be one I recommend to my students!

[Serina · Rating 2 out of 5]

nice conflict story most kids will enjoy an relate to it. Kids will prob think dares funny. diff about school where two kids want same news castor, they have divorced parents which keep story similar

[Rick Stuckwisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

We continue to enjoy and devour the excellent books of Lisa Graff, who seems to have a real knack for empathizing and representing her young protagonists (and their peers and rivals). This book is another case in point. It is gently humorous throughout, yet also sweet and thought-provoking. A clever, entertaining story, which also grapples with the challenge of divorce and its effect on children. The relationships of parents and children, of siblings, of friends, classmates, and clubs also figure into the well woven tale. As with the other Lisa Graff books we have read in recent weeks, I noticed that, even though I was reading this one aloud to my two youngest listener, it consistently managed to draw in a number of the older members of the family, as well, who couldn't help but respond with interest to the story, its characters, and their escapades. Good stuff.

[HW6thgrade · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent read for any elementary grade student. Lisa Graff provided readers a balance between serious and humorous. Everyone will enjoy this novel because of choices and jokes made that relates to many student’s lives. Competition is a major factor within this book and anyone competitively strong will relate to the conflict of this novel. The plot moves at a surprisingly fast pace and is a well written fast read. The key parts of this storyline could change someone’s perspective and the chapters always lead to pageturners.

[Red · Rating 4 out of 5]

The smoothness of this book along with its subject matter is nice. It's engaging, fast to read, and focuses on kids being kids, and rather accurate childish behavior at that.

All about divorce, gross nine-year-olds, and the dynamic of dares, bets, and challenges. A fine blend of good fun, family issues, and peer pressure daredevil-ism. There's a sense of realism in the writing. Kids handling divorces as well as kids can, and yet life going on.

Definitely recommend this for kids and adults with a sense of humor. Funny and wholesome.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love. This is one of my favorite children's books. It has two wonderful narrators in Kansas and Francine. The idea of a dare war is genius - who can resist that? The fact that there are a lot of serious issues bubbling up alongside the silly fun makes this the perfect book for the reader is interested in actually thinking about the plot. Lisa Graff does a lot of neat things in this one from playing around with the chapter titles to having a devious character manipulating things from the background that can catch the reader out if they aren't paying attention. Do yourself a favor and read this one!

[Tricia Culp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this out loud with my middle school son. We both enjoyed it. It definitely has a theme of kids dealing with their parents getting divorced, but in a light way. It upset him a little, but we talked about how this happens and has happened to some of his friends, and it's good to think about what that experience might be like for them. But mostly it's a sweet, silly book about a 4th grade dare-war with a good ending 😀

[7B Gillian T · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I read was Double Dog Dare by Lisa Graff. This book was about this girl Francine and this boy Kansas who started a war of being dared to do things but in the end finding out that they have a lot in common. For example they both have divorced parents. I liked this book because it was funny at some times and had humor that was mixed into the story. I disliked how at some points in the story random things happened that did and din't go with the story.

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caleb (age 6): "Double Dog Dare is about a media club where they need a new news anchor and two people raise their hands. They made a dare contest and whoever won the dare contest got to be the news anchor. There was a problem with that because at the end they tied. Read the book to find out how they chose who the new news anchor was."

[Shaan Mutreja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this book was really fun and thought-provoking. I really liked the connections that the two main characters share which makes them change their minds about each other. I also liked the little plot twist that gets you worried for a minute.

[Arianna 7B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting, i would recommend it to friends. Fourth graders are playing a game where they give each other dares and if they say double dog dare then they have to do it. The main characters Kansas Bloom and Francine Halat have a lot in common that they figure out after playing.

[Megnut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven't read yet but by the cover is really good

[Eva Kaiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that it was really funny and if you like funny books this is the book for you.

[Emily Myhren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a slower start than all her other books, but a satisfying ending.

[Taija Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was HILARIOUS! It is a great book. One of my favorites. Very appropriate for kids

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved it

[Shafia Anwar · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!!!!!!!

[Kelly Jahng · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little dumb, but cute with a good message in the end.

[Aathreya Kadambi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my FAVORITE childhood books.

[Courtney Boynton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book I read aloud to kids. It may have given some ideas for pranks….

[Lindsay Follett · Rating 3 out of 5]

A more casual/easy book than I tend to read to my boys but worthwhile nonetheless. Very grateful for the treatment of divorce in this book. My boys have a few friends whose families are going through a divorce. This book provided some opportunities around empathy and a realization that no two people handling the splitting of a family in the same way.

[Libby]

(E-Lib) Zooey's pick for RRL. I didn't realize that divorce was going to be such a main plot of this book. I guess it'd be a good read for kids going through that. It made me wonder if the divorce rate is going down, or if I'm just at an age when I don't hear about it as much. I love how Ginny and Francine became friends before realizing they had Kansas in common. Also, I was relieved when Kansas finally let his neighbor (Mr. ???) into his life, and I'm glad Kansas and Luis became buddies.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Double Dog Dare is the story of a dare war started between two members of Auden Elementary School’s media club. Both Kansas Bloom, the new kid in school, and Francine Halata want to be the anchor for the morning news. When their teacher says they can settle the matter in any way that doesn’t break school rules, they immediately decide to dare one another to do various tasks until one of them gives up. In alternating chapters, titled after the objects involved in their dares, readers come to understand both sides of the rivalry, and they get to know some of the issues Kansas and Francine deal with outside of school, especially when it comes to their divorced parents. Who will win? How far will they go? Will Kansas and Francine always be enemies or will their secret commonalities finally reveal themselves?

I think the subject matter of this school story is interesting, and many of the dares are silly and made me laugh, but I had a hard time believing a teacher would be so lax as to let kids work out a decision like this on their own, with no adult guidance. I’m sure many readers could suspend their disbelief on that point, but that detail was a bit of a hang-up for me as I tried to get into the story. What did work for me, though, was the slow growth of a friendship between Kansas and Francine. I like that they get carried away with the dares for a little while, but begin to recognize the good in each other and ultimately rise above their petty rivalry for the sake of the media club. I also think the design of the book is great. I love the initials in the corners of the pages that indicate the character whose point of view we are in, and the fact that these letters remind the reader of the tallies kept on the chalkboard, showing who has completed the most dares. It was also a great idea to name each chapter after an object relevant to the story. I enjoyed reading them in the table of contents and using them as a map to move through the story.

Double Dog Dare will appeal to kids who like realistic fiction, and are ready for longer books, but might not want a lot of the stereotypical tween content. It reminds me a lot of Andrew Clements’s books, especially No Talking, due to the school setting, the plot revolving around a rivalry, and the fact that it can appeal equally to both boys and girls. It’s a solid story, with memorable characters, and one that families can happily read together, or teachers can read aloud to their upper elementary classes.

[Tami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Double Dog Dare is the dual story of 4th Graders Kansas Bloom and Francine Halata. Kansas is new to school and was known in his former school as the "King of Dares." This moniker doesn't mean much until a spot opens up in Media Club for a new news anchor. Francine and Kansas tie for the coveted job. In an effort to break the tie Kansas and Francine embark on a Dare War--one point for each dare successfully accomplished and whoever earns the most dare points will become the new anchorperson for morning announcements.

Unknown to each other, both Kansas' and Francine's parents are going through a divorce. The premise is weak and the first several dares are lame in content and wholly uninteresting in the storytelling. The first 80 pages or so are bland and unremarkable. I almost put this book down without finishing it. I am glad that I didn't because the second half of the book came alive and finished at a decent pace.

The characters of Kansas and Francine both began to sound like real kids about a third of the way into the story. I became interested in their dares when the dares became secondary for both of them. It is at this point that they start interacting with each other and with their respective parents (and sister--in Kansas' case). This is the point at which I started to care about them as people.

Graff's older-age books such as the terrific The Thing About Georgie do not suffer from this clunky plot beginnings issue but her other young reader novel Sophie Simon Solves Them All For You (which I enjoyed AFTER the first few chapters) does.

The verdict on Double Dog Dare is that if young readers can hang in there through the first several dares, the pace and the plot pick up speed and energy, resulting in genuine complications, a few well-choreographed slapstick events and an authentic expression of kids' views and feelings in the midst of a divorce. The ending, while not spectacular, is ultimately satisfying. This could definitely be a worthwhile read for 3rd or 4th graders.