Kids into books: Mystery Bay

Author: Carol Krueger

Illustrator: Wendy Wray

Publisher: Shortland Publications, $9.85

Age group: 11+ years

I could see the finish line. I could feel my heart pounding. It was as though it was going to thump through my shirt. There was no one ahead of me.

"Go, Jasmine!" I heard people screaming.

And then I saw it. A wave of blonde hair blowing past me. Alice Parker fell over the finish line. I collapsed on top of her. My breath escaped in short gasping pants.
"Alice Parker! School champ!" roared the crowd.

Alice pulled herself away from me and made a face.
"You heard them - loser!"

She swished her long ponytail in the air and trotted off to greet her fans. She acted like a young horse showing off.

"It's all right Jasmine - you'll beat her next time!"
I turned. Mr Keith stood behind me. He was a great coach. He never put anyone down. He was always there for us if we won - or lost. The sun filtered through his copper hair and tried to burn his heavily sunblocked nose.

"Look, I know that both of you will be going on to regional competitions. And you've got just as much of a chance to win as she has," he said.

I somehow got the impression that he wanted me to win.