Surfside Girls

 

A. Bibliographic Data

Dwinell, Kim. 2017. Surfside Girls Book One: The Secret of Danger Point. Top Shelf Productions.  ISBN: 1603094113

B. Summary

Things are getting weird in Surfside. Lately, Samantha's best friend Jade explodes into fits of giggles whenever she sees a boy, and it's throwing a wrench into the kick-back summer of surfing and hanging out that Sam had planned. But after swimming through a secret underwater cave, Sam starts to… see things. Like ghosts. And pirates. And maybe something even scarier! Can she and Jade get to the bottom of this mystery in time to save their town?

C. Critical Analysis

 I was very impressed with this graphic novel. Graphic novels are not my regular type of books to read but after seeing numerous recommendations from reading blogs that I follow. Surfside Girls is a book full of artwork that highlights the Californian beaches and gives you those beach vibes. This is a great book for all ages and genders, but I like that it is a graphic novel geared towards girls. It is a quick story about two surfer girls: Jade and Samantha. One day the girls come across a cave at Danger Point. Danger Point is filled with a ghost who needs help. The girls are very relatable from what they are wearing on the beach, to what they are talking about and how they are boy-crazed. I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to others, especially those looking for a great summer read and a book about friendship.

D.  Book Reviews

2018 Pubwest Design Awards - Silver Winner for Graphic Album, New Material

"I loved this book! Surfside Girls is exactly what I wish all my summer vacations had been like. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to the beach!" — Janet Lee, Eisner-Award-winning artist of Return of the Dapper Men

"Kim Dwinell’s Surfside Girls has a timeless quality. With its likable characters, sunny colors, and supernatural mystery, it’s a perfect summer read." — Brigid Alverson, School Library Journal's Good Comics for Kids

"The cheery, doodle-like depictions... are perfectly in keeping with the breezy, warm-hearted tone. Sam and Jade’s friendship, which is changing as they approach tweendom, adds a nice dose of realism." — Sarah Hunter, Booklist

"Perfect for an endless summer vacation, with supernatural mystery-solving thrown into the mix. I highly recommend The Secret of Danger Point for all ages." — Leroy Douresseaux, Comic Book Bin

"Kim Dwinell supplies a great-looking world of infinite potential... Anyone fondly remembering the tenacious and good-hearted Nancy Drew adventures from their youth can locate a spiritual successor for their own children in Surfside Girls." — Slings & Arrows

E. Connections

- Now on Apple Original TV- compare book to show. Discuss the characters and events in both media and see if they match what you would have come up with.

-You could read the series and find connections with yourself, the world, and other books you have read.