This is a quick outline of each chapter. I caution those who haven't read the books yet-if you don't want the story spoiled, don't read this! Don't think "Oh, I don't have to read the books, I can just read this," either, because this is very preliminary. It is really worth it to read the books!
BOOK SEVEN: True Friends
What is a true friend? Christy Miller knows she has two of them: Todd and Katie. To show how much she appreciates them, she writes to Todd, who’s off surfing in Hawaii, and she agrees to join the ski club with Katie…even though she’s scared of skiing! Fortunately, Christy and Katie can laugh as they bumble their way around the bunny slopes at Lake Tahoe. But Christy finds herself caught between new friends and her loyalty to Katie. Will Christy find a way to be a true friend when it counts most? And will she ever hear from Todd? (From back of book)
1 A Lightning Bolt from Heaven
- Todd-“a true friend”
- Christy expressing her thankfulness for Katie
2 The King of Returns
- Grumpy customer at the pet shop, the perfect card for Todd
- Jon is the “king of returns”, Christy expects Rick to show up.
3 Pass the M&Ms
- The bracelet paid off by a mysterious someone!
- Sleepover at Katie’s, joining the ski club
4 Friendship? Yes, Please!
- Aunt Marti funding the ski gear
- Working on her “true friend” essay
5 You Go, Girlfriend!
- Meeting Glen, Lisa’s “hit list”
6 Peculiar Treasures
- Katie picks an outfit for the pizza feed.
- Trying to witness to Beverly and Jon
7 The Little Mouse
- Christy getting jealous of Katie and Glen
- A walk to think
- Mr. Miller’s “little mouse”
8 96817
- Katie’s never seen snow?
- The time to witness to Jon!
- Packing for the ski trip, mysterious package from 96817
9 The Inside-Outsider
- Christy’s ugly bag and the trip to Lake Tahoe
- Invited into the “popular group”
10 Up Close and Personal
- Getting settled at the ski resort
- First ski lessons-face to face (or body to body) with Dawson!
11 A Little Mouthwash Goes A Long Way
- Laughing about the accident
- The mouthwash=vodka
- Suspicions about the vodka
12 Traitor
- Sneaky plans to expose the vodka
- Tattle-tale, Janet talks to the girls.
- Katie calls Christy a traitor.
13 Guilty
- An over-heard conversation in the bathroom
- Confrontation with the criminals
- Telling the truth to Mr. Riley, making up with Katie
14 I Just Wanted to Be Sure of You
- Unexpected visit from Doug and Rick
- A coconut from Todd, true friends are forever
BOOK EIGHT: Starry Night
It’s Christmastime, and Christy Miller has so much going on: family time, work, and maybe, just maybe, going to the Rose Bowl Parade with a bunch of friends. If only she could answer Uncle Bob’s tough questions. Todd’s buddy Doug gives her some insight, and she starts to appreciate him in a whole new way. Rick Doyle shows up again...but is he pursuing Christy or the cutest elf at the mall? Through it all, will Christy find someone special to count the stars with? (From back of book)
1 Car Trek: The Next Generation
- Katie’s elf costume
- Rick decides to drop by, plans to have a talk.
- Rick invites Katie to God-lovers.
2 Chocolate Chip Rescue
- Making cookies, Katie saves chocolate chips.
- Todd’s surfing contest, who knows where he is?
3 Opposites Don’t Attract, Do They?
- Jealous of Katie and Rick
- A call from Rick, plans to get together Monday
- Saying Merry Christmas at the pet shop, Chinese take out
- Doug visits the pet shop, the fortune cookie.
4 I’m Not Dreaming of a White Christmas
- Family vacation to the mountains?
- Katie is invited into Christy’s beach friends group.
- Magazine cover and a prayer for Todd
5 Camera-Shy Christy
- Mr. Grouch at the pet store
- Pizza party, the yearbook picture with Rick!
- Christy’s new “Uncle Doug”
6 Thanks a Lot, Uncle Doug!
- Drive with Rick, called him Todd!
- Christy locks up all the Todd mementos.
7 Snow Wars
- Pictures from Hawaii
- The “cabin” and the violet room
- Snowball fight! Revenge from Aunt Marti
8 Diamonds in the Sky
- Christian gift shop
- The diamond bracelet given to Marti, presents, gets a camera
- Moment with God, looking at the stars
- Bob points out the starving girl on the magazine cover.
9 Spin Dry
- Staying at Newport, plans for everything
- Doug meets Christy’s laundry!
10 Just Friends
- Breakfast with Doug, shopping with Marti, sponsoring Joab
- At Tracy’s for dinner, “just friends” with Doug
11 The White Rose Parade
- Arriving at the parade, talk with Rick, the white rose
12 Katie, You Didn’t!
- Rating the floats game, Rick’s college girls, Katie’s “virgin lips”
- What’s up with Katie and Rick?
13 Marti’s Party
- The party, talk with Heather and Katie
14 Counting Stars
- Todd- the 17th guest! His surfing story
- Counting stars and a promise
BOOK NINE: Seventeen Wishes
It’s summer, and that means the beach and other adventures. And Christy Miller’s best friend, Katie, is always full of ideas. They’ll be camp counselors! But when Katie can’t go, Christy is bewildered and overwhelmed by her fifth-grade girls, who have boundless energy for anything except what Christy wants them to do. Do they even hear a word she says? Soon they’re playing matchmaker between Christy and Jaeson, a handsome counselor...and he doesn’t seem to mind. When Christy’s seventeenth birthday arrives later in the summer, just what will she be wishing for? (From back of book)
1 Act Natural
- Locked out of the car at the boys’ campus! Meets Stephanie
- Katie and Christy sneak into the boys’ apartment.
2 Mr. Gizmo
- Surprise! Greetings from the guys.
- Dinner at Steph’s, towel and bubble war, Mr. Gizmo Olympics
- The God Lover’s meeting, coffee break?
3 Elephants, Monkeys, and Snakes
- Banana splits, Rick and Katie kiss
- Zoo adventure, talk with Katie about Rick
4 Katie’s Idea of a Good Time
- Camping plans with Katie
- Walk on the beach with Todd, leg hair discussion
- Camp Wildwood begins-without Katie
5 Camp Wildwood
- Meeting her roommates, meets Jaeson
- Snoopy girls, boy talk among 5th graders
6 What You Can Never Do
- Archery, “you can never love too much” advice from Jessica
- Christy’s fan club, the matchmakers
7 Tippy Canoe
- Cheering up Ruthie
- Canoe accident, baseball game with Jaeson
- Sneaking out for canoe lessons
8 Moonlight Picnic
- The picnic on the lake with Jaeson
- Jaeson points out some good hiding places for the counselor hunt.
9 View from a Hollow Tree
- Barf clean-up, blessing Jeanine
- Counselor hunt, attacked by red ants!
10 Sara’s Promise
- Stuck in the nurse’s office, dinner from Jaeson
- Sara accepts Christ into her heart.
11 Seventeen
- Surprise birthday party, Katie and Doug?
- “Throw the screaming girl into the ocean” routine
- Sun-kissed seventeen wishes
Pictures from travelgrove.com and beachhaveninn.com.