This book is actually a book I had to read in school. It's about a boy named Lance (though Jared [Red] is telling the story) who has had to deal with his mother leaving him at 5 years old. Lance's dad is easy on him until he does something just plain stupid, then he beats him. His mom becomes a country singer despite her past having to raise her three younger brothers. Red also has to deal with his over-reacting dad who is always hard on him. Red's brother, Greg, did drugs and almost died. Red describes him as basically just a shell. He doesn't even know the family is there when they go to visit. Anyways, I won't spoil anymore of the story. It's such a good book and I loved reading it. It made me cry near the end actually. Read!

Nobody Said It Would Be Easy is a great book. It really took me by surprise. From the cover and the title I presumed that it would be a sort of cheesy adventure book. It proved me wrong.
The book is about a boy called Lance. He and his father live on a ranch in Canada. A while earlier, Lance cut his hand really bad when he tried to intervene in a knife fight to save his friend. Now, several months later, the cast can finally come off. But something happens that Lance wasn't counting on. He can't use his hand.
As Lance struggles to accept the fact that he'll probably never be able to use his hand again, other side plots come in. The tension mounts throughout the book, building to a very rewarding climax.
This book is great! A true page turner.

This book has a great story. It is the second book about a young man named Steve. He is running from bad guys. His luck is bad - all these amazing things keep happening to him. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend this book to all.

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.

this book [stunk] soo much i had to read it for an englihs project and i nearly feel asleep in it. this book has a stupid plot and shouldn't of even been published. i do not recommend you to read this.

Cowboys Don't Cry is a very very good book! It shows many different emotions. The story was a real page turner. I am doing this book for a Novel Study in my class. When you read the book, you feel like you are the main character, in this book the main character is Shane. His dad has a serious drinking problem, his mom died in a car accident. Shane and his dad(Josh) are constantly moving because Josh is a champion bull rider, but because of his drinking problem Josh went from a champion bull rider to a rodeo clown. Read this book to find out how Shane copes with this situation and what happens to Josh! (I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages!)

Highly readable, very emotional, teaches a very valuable lesson. Every young adult should have to read this book. I've read it over 6 times.

I thought this book was good for young readers, thought it lacks depth, the chracters were well thought out.

Shanes mom dies so he was left with his father who becomes alcholic after his wife died.When she died Shane s grandfather dies too so Shane got to keep his grandfather property .Shane' dad decides to move there.Shane meets Casey.Josh tries to stop drinking .Shane got in a car accident.His dad runs away .Shane was left with Casey .