“Samantha Taylor!”

From Kim Dwinell’s Surfside Girls: The Secret of Danger Point.

Best friends Jade and Samantha are excited for a summer full of relaxing, fun, and surfing. News that Danger Point is going to be turned into a resort interests the girls and they decide to paddle over on their boards to check out the construction. When the construction walls block any view, the girls are disappointed until Samantha notices something shimmering below the water near the cliffs. Diving down to follow the light, Samantha discovers a hidden cave. When she exits the cave above ground on Danger Point, Samantha is shocked to see the land covered in ghosts, and to learn from one ghost named Mr. Wu that she has been chosen to be their new protector. Samantha runs to get Jade, but Jade is unable to see the ghosts, though she believes Samantha completely. Together, the girls dive into the mystery of Mr. Wu, the history of Danger Point, and the identity of the secret developer. As time quickly begins to run out as the construction advances, Jade and Samantha research all they can as they try to keep the danger of their mission hidden from their parents.

As the first book in the Surfside Girls series, this book offers a fun beach-based mystery that will appeal to young readers looking for fantasy and adventure. Dwinell’s animation is simple, but bright and engaging, as is the mystery of the story. The Secret of Danger Point is a quick read that will leave readers eager to dive into the next book in the series.