Dawn and the Surfer Ghost (M#12)

Original Publication Date: 1993

Ghostwriter? Yes, Ellen Miles

Synopsis:

Dawn's enjoying a California winter that's warm enough to surf in, taking lessons in the sport with Sunny. Then a surfer goes missing, and is presumed dead. Dawn is sure there was foul play (tampered surfboard, etc) and then she starts seeing a mysterious figure surfing at night. Is it his ghost, back for revenge?

Of course not. The surfer survived the sabotage (someone was out to get him) and has been hanging around practicing in disguise. He shows up for the big surfing competition to reveal that it's been him all along, and the would-be murderer freaks out upon seeing him. Since the surfer had alerted the police earlier on Dawn's advice, after she recognized him, the police nab him and justice is served. Naturally, he wins the competition. It's totally radical.


Established or continued in this book:

The Girls (and Logan):

Claudia candy:

Mallory's still too sick for sleepovers.

I'm honestly surprised that Dawn says Jill's dark brown eyes remind her of chocolate instead of carob or something like that.

It's funny that one of the pieces of continuity that's really well followed is how Jessi once mentioned she'd try to be better about writing letters.


Their Families:

Dawn flat-out admits that the only reason she doesn't like Carol is that Carol's dating her dad. Not in a "she's not good enough for him" way, either.

Jeff's into skateboarding.


The Club:

Nothing new about the BSC, but really, how does the We ♥ Kids Club work without regular meeting times?


SMS: nothing new.


PSA Time:

I nanny, and one of the things that I really appreciate about the family is that the parents have left me a copy of the kids' insurance cards just in case. Note to parents: it's a good idea.


California (only for the Dawn books when she's there and later the California Diaries series):

Sunny loves to flirt, and thinks everyone else should, too.


Misc:

Dawn doesn't know that "Down Under" refers to Australia, despite how much of a stereotype the Hobart family is.


The numbers:

Starting 8th grade: 6

Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 2

Halloweens in 8th grade: 3 (plus one in seventh)

Thanksgivings in 8th grade: 1

Summers after 8th grade: 6

BSC Fights: 8

SMS Staff and Faculty: 36

Students (other than the BSC): 112; 78 8th graders, 2 7th graders, 19 6th graders, 12 unspecified

Clients: 29

Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 85

Crushes:
Stacey-9
Claudia-8
Dawn-5
Jessi-3
Mallory-2
Mary Anne-2
Kristy-1