The Secret of Danger Point: Surfside Girls, Book 1
Common Sense says
- Kim Dwinell
- Graphic Novel
- 2017
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The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Surfside Girls: The Secret of Danger Point is good, clean, underwater fun from graphic novelist Kim Dwinell. Samantha and Jade are appealing main characters, and the supernatural mystery they solve is lighthearted and not at all disturbing. There's no swearing, substance use, or violence.
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What's the story?
At the start of SURFSIDE GIRLS: THE SECRET OF DANGER POINT, Samantha and Jade are best friends who plan to spend the summer hanging out at the beach and riding waves. But Jade seems more interested in boys these days, prompting Sam to explore more on her own. She discovers an underwater cave that leads to a hidden clifftop, where ghosts from all eras reside. Danger Point is slated for development by mysterious outsiders, and it's up to the girls to find out who's really responsible for what's happening to this special place.
Is it any good?
This lighthearted supernatural mystery isn't the least bit realistic, but it offers plenty of innocent humor, exciting action, and summer romance. In Surfside Girls, Jade and Sam are appealing main characters -- brave, sensitive, fun-loving, and determined to uncover the truth.
Author-illustrator Kim Dwinell employs a loose, slightly cartoonish style that lends her drawings an extra note of playfulness. In addition to the overarching mystery, there's interesting interplay between the girls as they confront some of the issues that seem to be driving them apart. This graphic novel isn't deep, but middle school readers will appreciate its laid-back style and look forward to further seaside adventures.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about what makes Surfside Girls: The Secret of Danger Point an effective graphic novel. Why are graphic novels so popular? What kinds of stories work best in that medium?
Sam becomes annoyed when Jade giggles around boys. Is it unusual for friendships to change when one person suddenly becomes interested in the opposite sex?
What real-life techniques are used to track down criminals? Can you imagine getting involved in a criminal investigation as a teenager?
Book details
- Author: Kim Dwinell
- Illustrator: Kim Dwinell
- Genre: Graphic Novel
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Top Shelf
- Publication date: July 18, 2017
- Number of pages: 236
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Kindle
- Last updated: August 21, 2017
Our editors recommend
For kids who love graphic novels and female detective stories
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