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Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol #3
Surf's Up, Creepy Stuff!
Desmond and Andres battle beach bullies who also happen to be creepy monsters in the third book of the Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol chapter book series!
When you go to the beach with Desmond Cole, it isn’t all sand, surf, and sun. It’s more like, ghosts, ghouls, and gloom. And yes, being haunted while there’s sand in your swimsuit is annoying, but at least you can always count on one thing—beach life is never boring with Mersurfers around.
With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol chapter books are perfect for emerging readers.
When you go to the beach with Desmond Cole, it isn’t all sand, surf, and sun. It’s more like, ghosts, ghouls, and gloom. And yes, being haunted while there’s sand in your swimsuit is annoying, but at least you can always count on one thing—beach life is never boring with Mersurfers around.
With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol chapter books are perfect for emerging readers.
128 pages, Hardcover
Published May 29, 2018
35 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Andrés Miedoso
69 books43 followersAndres Miedoso is still afraid of everything as a grown-up, even after all his adventures with Desmond Cole. He lives in New York City with his family, and he remains best friends with Desmond but returns to Kersville only when he's needed.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 19, 2019
My 4th graders love this series SO MUCH. Andres is so funny and self-deprecating. When this book entered our classroom library I read the first chapter aloud to the class (In which Andres rants about everything he hates about the beach) - students were laughing, relating, disagreeing - everyone wanted the book, and that was before I revealed it to be a Desmond Cole book! This series has quickly become my go-to to move level M/N readers up. In the past month I had a level N reader start with book one of the series, plod through a chapter a day, and then within a month she'd finished the series and is confidently reading at Level P. I can't review this book without saying how important and meaningful it is to have boys of color starring in a series. We need more books like this. <3 Desmond Cole.
November 25, 2018
Hello I am reading desmond cole ghost patrol.the story was about the two main characters desmond cole was inviting one main characters over to a beach and they had a computer they had floats and other stuff the most coolest thing was they had this huge tent even with upstairs!but then these weird things with sharp teeth and sharp claws and it ended up that they were just trying to help the baby turtles walk safety to the water.I like it because they had more then one plan and the plan's did not work,it has more plan's than the first book.I don't like that when the weird creature deflated one of the main characters float's and the main character went flying.and why were they flying when there float's got deflated?I rate it four star's because they had more plan's,even than the first one.
January 17, 2023
Another good book in this series.
July 1, 2023
My son read this book to me, and we both enjoyed it!
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July 26, 2025my third grade student read this in a couple days (which is saying something because it is over 100 pages). so i had to read it as well🧑🏫🍎📝
November 6, 2022
Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol Surf’s Up, Creepy Stuff is the 3rd book in the Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol series by author Andres Miedoso and illustrator Victor Rivas. This book was recommended in my post graduate class Survey of Youth Literature.
This book is the third book in a series about eight year old Andres who has moved to Kersville. Andres was enjoying a nice, relaxing day of video games when his day was interrupted by his neighbor Desmond. Desmond invited him to spend the day at the beach with his family, which was not Andres’ idea of fun, but his parents insisted while packing on the sunscreen. It was Andres’ first time at the beach since moving to Kersville. On their way to “Dreary” Beach Zax, a ghost that tagged along with Desmond, asked to join them but Desmond didn’t think his parents would be alright with a ghost tagging along. Little do they know that Zax tags along anyway. When they arrive at the beach Desmond’s parents are surprised there are not many people at a beach that is usually so crowded. They come to discover that there are creepy creatures, merserpents, scaring all of the beach goers away! Andres continues to be miserable at the beach with the sand and hot sun, but he works with his friend Desmond, and Zax the ghost too, to fight back against the merserpents and discover their secret. Read this delightful book and join Desmond, Andres, and Zax the ghost in discovering what these creepy creatures are really up to at Dreary beach.
This book would interest second, third, and some fourth grade students, that enjoy reading science fiction/fantasy chapter books. Students that enjoy books in this genre, might make a connection to the diverse characters, Andres and Desmond, and they work together with the ghost Zax and solve the mystery of the creepy creatures at the beach. This book reads at about a level N which is a beginning of third grade level reading expectation, but this book would be appropriate for many students in 2nd-4th grade. Both the author and the illustrator represent the Latin culture allowing for exposure to more diverse authors and illustrators. Students may also enjoy learning that the main characters, Andres and Desmond, are based off the author and his best friend growing up in Kersville. I would use this book for a lesson on character traits with my third grade students and my small groups of EL students. Students would use the list of character traits with synonyms and visuals that they have and pick one trait to describe either Andres or Desmond. Students would then need to support the trait they picked with three or more different examples of text evidence to support the character trait they chose and why. I would extend this lesson by including a speaking component where students would share the character and trait they chose and two of the examples of text evidence and their explanation. Students would do this using the “Boogie on Down the Line” strategy where students are paired across from one another facing each other five on one side and five on the other side. Side A share first and then side B has to respond with “I heard you say, ___“ Then they switch roles and side B shares and side A has to respond with what they heard. Since side B then has the last person boogie on down the middle to the end of the line and students on side B move down and students repeat process with new partner. When finished, students can come back and share a character trait and example that they heard with the group.
This book is the third book in a series about eight year old Andres who has moved to Kersville. Andres was enjoying a nice, relaxing day of video games when his day was interrupted by his neighbor Desmond. Desmond invited him to spend the day at the beach with his family, which was not Andres’ idea of fun, but his parents insisted while packing on the sunscreen. It was Andres’ first time at the beach since moving to Kersville. On their way to “Dreary” Beach Zax, a ghost that tagged along with Desmond, asked to join them but Desmond didn’t think his parents would be alright with a ghost tagging along. Little do they know that Zax tags along anyway. When they arrive at the beach Desmond’s parents are surprised there are not many people at a beach that is usually so crowded. They come to discover that there are creepy creatures, merserpents, scaring all of the beach goers away! Andres continues to be miserable at the beach with the sand and hot sun, but he works with his friend Desmond, and Zax the ghost too, to fight back against the merserpents and discover their secret. Read this delightful book and join Desmond, Andres, and Zax the ghost in discovering what these creepy creatures are really up to at Dreary beach.
This book would interest second, third, and some fourth grade students, that enjoy reading science fiction/fantasy chapter books. Students that enjoy books in this genre, might make a connection to the diverse characters, Andres and Desmond, and they work together with the ghost Zax and solve the mystery of the creepy creatures at the beach. This book reads at about a level N which is a beginning of third grade level reading expectation, but this book would be appropriate for many students in 2nd-4th grade. Both the author and the illustrator represent the Latin culture allowing for exposure to more diverse authors and illustrators. Students may also enjoy learning that the main characters, Andres and Desmond, are based off the author and his best friend growing up in Kersville. I would use this book for a lesson on character traits with my third grade students and my small groups of EL students. Students would use the list of character traits with synonyms and visuals that they have and pick one trait to describe either Andres or Desmond. Students would then need to support the trait they picked with three or more different examples of text evidence to support the character trait they chose and why. I would extend this lesson by including a speaking component where students would share the character and trait they chose and two of the examples of text evidence and their explanation. Students would do this using the “Boogie on Down the Line” strategy where students are paired across from one another facing each other five on one side and five on the other side. Side A share first and then side B has to respond with “I heard you say, ___“ Then they switch roles and side B shares and side A has to respond with what they heard. Since side B then has the last person boogie on down the middle to the end of the line and students on side B move down and students repeat process with new partner. When finished, students can come back and share a character trait and example that they heard with the group.
September 12, 2024
As always, this installment of the Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol was quirky and entertaining. I overheard a Barnes and Noble book seller describe this series as “Ghost Busters only younger.” I am probably the only 80’s baby that never watched Ghost Busters, but what I know of the premise makes this seem accurate.
This third book in the series was different than the earlier two in that the main conflict didn’t revolve around ghosts, but imaginative creatures called mersurfers. Desmond and Andres go to the beach, and while they are surfing, they come across a creature they’d never heard of before—a fishy kind of people, who are surfing the waves with them. Until, of course, they’re not. The mersurfers start chasing the people on the beach, but as Desmond and Andres watch. . . they are focused on a particular part of the beach, not the entire beach. Oh, and they seem to be scared of birds. Desmond and Andres (along with Zax) hatch a plan to uncover the mersurfers’ evil plot! Will they succeed?
This actually ended up touching on one of my favorite sea creatures and an interesting element in nature, which made it extra fun, but I won’t tell you what it is—you’ll have to read it yourself to find out.
This third book in the series was different than the earlier two in that the main conflict didn’t revolve around ghosts, but imaginative creatures called mersurfers. Desmond and Andres go to the beach, and while they are surfing, they come across a creature they’d never heard of before—a fishy kind of people, who are surfing the waves with them. Until, of course, they’re not. The mersurfers start chasing the people on the beach, but as Desmond and Andres watch. . . they are focused on a particular part of the beach, not the entire beach. Oh, and they seem to be scared of birds. Desmond and Andres (along with Zax) hatch a plan to uncover the mersurfers’ evil plot! Will they succeed?
This actually ended up touching on one of my favorite sea creatures and an interesting element in nature, which made it extra fun, but I won’t tell you what it is—you’ll have to read it yourself to find out.
January 20, 2019
The ghost patrol goes to the beach and they uncover a mystery involving surfing merman.
Ive seen this series at my local library a few times and Im kicking myself for not picking it up earlier. Its so fun! I didn't expect to enjoy it so much. I loved the mixture of detective, ghost and sea creature lore.
Andres and Desmond go to the beach and notice that a group of merman are scaring people off of a particular section of the beach. They investigate and at first believe that the surfing merman are bad guys just trying to hog the beach. But in the end its revealed they were clearing a path for newly hatched baby turtles to get to the ocean.
Ive seen this series at my local library a few times and Im kicking myself for not picking it up earlier. Its so fun! I didn't expect to enjoy it so much. I loved the mixture of detective, ghost and sea creature lore.
Andres and Desmond go to the beach and notice that a group of merman are scaring people off of a particular section of the beach. They investigate and at first believe that the surfing merman are bad guys just trying to hog the beach. But in the end its revealed they were clearing a path for newly hatched baby turtles to get to the ocean.
March 12, 2025
Eliot’s review: I liked when the mersurfer popped his floatie. I liked when he thought there was a giant sand dune octopus and a shark with legs and Desmond Cole thought there was only pelicans and deer. I liked when they built haunted sand castles and when the girl wants the sea ghost, but it’s only Zax.
November 14, 2020
(Asa) I liked this book because it was funny and gripping. It has kind monsters, and kind kids. My favorite part is when one of the main characters is talking about his video game. I really like this book and I think you should read it, too!
November 1, 2022
We are a 2nd grade class and we really liked this book because it was entertaining, creepy, and funny! The author entertained us with the mysterious creatures. This book makes most of us want to read more books from Andres Miedoso!
May 4, 2025
This book had my son giggling. He even tried to ask for one of the dishes that Desmond's mom makes. The humor is perfect for his current attitudes. The mystery/suspense is just right for him to be invested into the story lines.
June 10, 2018
3.5 🌟 Nice to have another transitional ch bk option featuring male characters.
August 19, 2018
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you: http://www.indiebound.org
September 17, 2018
Cute for 1,2,3.
December 1, 2018
This ended up being more cute than spooky!
January 14, 2019
An early chapter book with just the right amount of spooky.
October 5, 2019
I really liked this one in the series. I think the series as a whole is a neat way to use ghosts and monsters. Looking forward to the next one and to sharing these with my nephew.
May 20, 2020
The kids really loved the plot twist in this one.
September 30, 2020
I loved it it was my favorite I have read so far it makes it my favorite one because water is my favorite element
February 16, 2021
My grandson loves these books. Staying safe at home and creating videos reading this series for him.
February 20, 2023
Still such a strong ending! Also, Dreary Beach sounds amazing, I'd like to visit!
February 26, 2023
Now they're patrolling other monsters and creatures besides ghosts
June 30, 2023
When mer surfers and the people became friends.
October 30, 2023
😀🙃🙃🙂🙃🙃😃🙃🙃🫠🙃🙃🙃😃🙃🙃😃
April 30, 2024
Awww what a too-cute ending!
Lots more observation than dialogue as compared to book 1.
Lots more observation than dialogue as compared to book 1.
February 16, 2025
These books are so fun to read with my six year old! They are actually interesting, unlike many early chapter series.
February 8, 2020
I think when the mersurfers see the hot dog birds, the mersurfers will eat the hot dog birds, but the mersurfers didn't eat the hot dog birds. The main thing that happened is the mersurfers are scaring people away because people may step on the turtles, so the turtles can't go in the ocean. Therefore, the mersurfers are scaring people away. Desmond is hiding from the mersurfers with Andres and Zax,because the mersurfers are scaring people around, so Andres and Zax work to find out why the mersurfers are scaring people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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December 8, 2020Eleanor says: this book is really funny. I think this is the funniest maybe in the series.
Momma says: this is the third book I have read with Eleanor from the series so far and I laughed so hard. My favorite part was when Andres acts like a bird and scares the mersurfers away. Eleanor and I could not stop laughing.
Momma says: this is the third book I have read with Eleanor from the series so far and I laughed so hard. My favorite part was when Andres acts like a bird and scares the mersurfers away. Eleanor and I could not stop laughing.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews