Truth or Dare

Truth Or Dare
Sophie McKenzie

Fourteen-year-old Maya cannot believe she has to spend the summer with her grandmother, helping out at the family cosmetics firm. But things get much more exciting when she meets a community of activists who are campaigning against the dumping of chemical waste. Getting closer to one boy in particular, Bear, Maya is dared into joining one of their protest missions, but doesn't know that her grandmother's business is the target. Someone has been lying about their environmentally-friendly products, and as danger threatens, Maya must uncover the truth or betray her family forever.

Find out more

In the Reading Corner - Sophie McKenzie - Truth or Dare on StitcherSophie McKenzie is the undisputed queen of the teen thriller. After being made redundant from her job in 2003, she started a year-long 'Writing for Children course' at the CityLit Institute in London. She finished her first novel, Girl Missing at the beginning of 2005, it was then published by Simon & Schuster Children's Books in 2006.Sophie joined Nikki Gamble  In the Reading Corner to talk about her thriller Truth or Dare.About Truth or DareWhen lies are everywhere, how far will you go for the truth? A tense eco-drama with an explosive twist from the million-copy-selling author of Girl, Missing. Fourteen-year-old Maya cannot believe she has to spend the summer with her grandmother, helping out at the family cosmetics firm. But things get much more exciting when she meets a community of activists campaigning against the dumping of chemical waste.Getting closer to one boy in particular, Bear, Maya is dared into joining one of their protest missions but doesn't know that her grandmother's business is the target. Someone has been lying about their environmentally-friendly products, and as danger threatens, Maya must uncover the truth or betray her family forever. In this edge-of-your-seat drama exploring the line between truth and lies,Support the show Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this podcast, please support us by subscribing to our channel. And if you are interested in the books we have featured, purchasing from our online bookshop Bestbooksforschools.comIn the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.Follow us on Youtube for more author events YouTube.com/@nikkigamble1For general news and updates, follow us on Twitter @imaginecentreFull details about the range of services we provide can be found on our website www.justimagine.co.uk

Other books by

If you like this book, try...

Things the Eye Can't See
Penny Joelson

Melt
Ele Fountain

Such a Good Liar
Sue Wallman

A Strange Kind of Brave
Sarah Moore Fitzgerald

What do we think? 

Excellent book - good format, good length in the dangerous bits.  Has led me to buy another book by same author 10/10

A wonderful book!  I liked the characters and I loved the way it was also about the environment and the harm large corporations can have on the environment.

I loved this very interesting and engaging book.  Would 100% recommend.

This book was amazing with a really good ending which I appreciate a lot in books.  Although it is a book about climate change and taking action, it is also a book about truthfulness and stereotypes.

This is a great book with lots of twists and turns and tension in it.  The characters are well-rounded and enjoyable to read  about.  I loved this book and was sad when it ended.


Truth or Dare is a book that tells a story of lies and betrayal, while also raising awareness about the environment. It tells the story of fourteen-year-old Maya who has gone up to the countryside with her little brother to stay with her grandparents, while also working a summer job at her grandmother’s factory. Whilst there she meets a boy from a group called the Harmony Earth Group, who lives in the woods near her house. She then embarks on a journey of lies and deceit and must figure out who she can trust.

This story is fast-paced and full of suspense, particularly in the chapters in which the bomb detonates causing the factory to plunge into a raging fire. This event shows Maya to be a very brave character as she is determined to save her brother who she suspects is still somewhere in the factory.

In conclusion, the best part of this book are the final few chapters because they show how much the characters have developed. Maya no longer is obsessed with fashion and her appearance, and instead focuses on her friends and family.

Overall, I would give this thrilling book a rating of 4.5 stars and would recommend it to other 12+ readers.
Liam, St Mary's