Surfer dog - Softcover

Elizabeth Spurr is a former journalist and author of many children's books, including The Long, Long Letter.

Grade 3-6 Pete, a small 11-year-old, is an obsessive surfer who is feeling like a fish out of water. His family has recently moved from L.A. to the central coast of California, and both he and his mom are having trouble making new friends and getting into the swim of their new life until a talented black Lab paddles into their family. The surfer dog brings both of them so much enjoyment that Pete has to create a "Dog-ma Carta," splitting Blackie's time between him and his mom. When Grimsby, a cool, surfing lifeguard, begins coaching him, Pete believes that he has a chance to win major competitions. Unfortunately, his class work tanks, causing his parents to ground him. Since they are rarely home, he evades this punishment by sneaking out daily with Blackie to improve his skills. Of course, this trickery is discovered and life is at its blackest when Blackie's former owner, a famous surfer, reclaims him-for a time. The author has the current surfer language down in this laid-back story about a dog that ultimately won't be separated from a boy. -Marilyn Payne Phillips, University City Public Library, MO
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