Sophie Washington: Treasure Beach Excerpt

Chapter One

The Sandcastle

Building a sandcastle is like mixing a batch of cookies. You have to measure the ingredients precisely. Too much water, and it’ll be gooey. Too little, and the sand won’t stick together, and it will crumble.

My best friend Chloe and I have been working on ours all morning. We carefully pack our buckets with sand, make a sturdy base, and even carve in windows and shingles on the roof. It’s starting to remind me of Cinderella’s castle at Disney World.

“Back off, Cole!” I warn my little brother when he kicks sand in my face. He’s hopping around with Granny Washington’s metal detector, trying to find some treasures.

“I think I found something, Sophie!” He starts to shovel in the area where I was going to build a moat.

It’s the second day of our vacation at my grandmother’s house in Corpus Christi, Texas, and we’re spending it at the beach. Cole and I come here for a couple of weeks every summer, and this year, our parents let me bring my best friend Chloe along after I begged for days.

Mom and Dad are at home in Houston having own their vacation. When we FaceTimed them last night, they were on their way out for a date at a fancy restaurant.

Usually crowded by early afternoon, the beach is practically empty with just a few other people around. A cloudless, blue sky stretches over the ocean like a never-ending sheet. The sun shines so brightly that even the seagulls need shades.

“Sure is hot out here!” Chloe pulls her hair off her neck.

 With her long, brown legs and shiny black curls, she looks like a soon-to-be seventh-grader, while my two thick braids and flat chest make me look like I’m in elementary school. I wish my mother would buy me a bikini like the cute, red, and white one Chloe has on. But Mom says, “Not until you’re at least thirteen.” 

My mother also won’t let me get a charm bracelet like the glittery one Chloe wears every day.

 “Too expensive.”

Even though I saved and bought Mom a bangle bracelet for her birthday this year.

Chloe’s parents buy her special charms for all her activities, like cheerleading, computer coding club, one with a Disney princess, and even one with the letter “C” for her initials. As soon as I can save up enough money, I’m buying myself one just like it.

“I told you to get away, Cole!” I frown as he swings the metal detector near my head. “You’re gonna knock down our castle.”

“Told ya I’d find something! I’m rich!” He digs up a shiny object and shuffles his feet like he’s doing a line dance.

“Your brother’s so funny!” Chloe giggles.

“He plays too much!” I grumble. “And that’s worthless, Cole, it’s a bottle top!”

Now that he has an audience, Cole starts telling jokes.

“What’s the best thing to eat at the beach? A sandwich.”

“Why’d the jellyfish blush? Because the seaweed!”

“Boy, stop!” I wave my plastic shovel. “Stick with the treasure hunting.”

“That metal detector has saved the day over the years.” Granny Washington looks up from her lawn chair, where she’s reading a mystery book. “I lost my birthstone ring out here once, and your grandfather searched with his detector for an hour before he found it. We’ve uncovered a few coins and other jewelry too.”

Click to order your copy of SOPHIE WASHINGTON: TREASURE BEACH

Sophie Washington: Treasure Beach Trailer