I Dare You

Best friends, Willow and Alma, are best friends who crave the attention which filming dares brings them. They might get into a little trouble, but it’s completely worth it as the likes keep clocking up. However, when they come up with the perfect prank which they are sure will go viral, things go horribly wrong.

‘I Dare You’ is a really powerful story, exploring the lure of fame and the negative power of social media.

Although from very different backgrounds, Willow and Alma formed a firm friendship the day they met. Willow never means to get into trouble, but always seems to find herself there and although slightly more cautious, Alma is determined not to let her friend down. They egg each other on to plan and film more and more risky, dangerous stunts until they finally hit on one which goes horrendously wrong, threatening to destroy more than just their friendship.

Both girls are thoroughly likeable and alternating chapters allow the reader to see events from each viewpoint. Some readers may relate to their overwhelming desire for likes and followers and yet as they steadily up the ante, feel a sense of impending doom at the risks they are taking. Without wishing to spoil the story for anyone who hasn’t read it yet, Tamsin Winter offers a far happier final outcome to the girls’ prank than the one which might have happened, allowing the story an optimistic conclusion whilst still being thought-provoking and cautionary.

The girls’ obsession with on-line popularity and their poor decision making make this an excellent book to provoke discussions. The girls are extremely relatable and sympathetic, neither are perfect, making this a poignant and important read.

I Dare You

Tamsin Winter

Usborne ISBN: 1805075721