Ghostwritten Books

What’s a Ghostwriter?

A ghostwriter is someone who writes a book and gets paid to write that book, but they may not get their name on that book. I began my writing career as a ghostwriter for the Sweet Valley Twins series. I’ve also been a ghostwriter for the Boxcar Children series.

The Books

Boxcar Children #113: The Box that Watch Found

Albert Whitman & Co. 2007

One day in the park, the Alders’ dog, Watch, comes across a mysterious box with a note inside, “Congratulations!” the note says. “You’ve found it!” The box is part of a game called Geocaching. Soon, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are searching all over town for hidden boxes and making friends with other kids in the geocaching club. But is one of the club members a thief?

Boxcar Children #107: The Giant Yo-Yo Mystery

Albert Whitman & Co. 2006

The Aldens are helping a local carpenter build a giant yo-yo! The yo-yo could break the world record, and if it does, it will put Greenfield on the map. But when plans are stolen and the yo-yo is damaged, it’s clear someone doesn’t want this yo-yo to be built. Can the Boxcar Children save the day before the world record is lost?

Boxcar Children #104: The Game Store Mystery

Albert Whitman & Co. 2005

When a new store called the Game Spot opens in their town, the Aldens are thrilled. But it’s not fun and games when the other shops at Crossroads mall are robbed. What’s more, letters are disappearing from the sign in front of the shopping center! It all seems to spell a new mystery for the Boxcar Children…

Boxcar Children #101: The Clue in the Corn Maze

Albert Whitman & Co. 2004

The Aldens find themselves right in the middle of an Iowa cornfield and a brand new mystery! The children visit a farm that’s famous for its wonderful corn maze. Every year the maze is open to visitors, and there’s even a festival! but who is damaging the maze at night? Can the Boxcar Children catch the culprit and save the festival?

The Unicorn Club #15: Too Cool for the Unicorns

Daniel Weiss Associates 1997

Kimberly Haver says: As I’m sure you know, I’m the only eighth grade member of the Unicorn Club–and the most mature. But hey, being in a club with a bunch of seventh graders isn’t so bad when they’re the coolest girls in school. At least, that’s what I used to think…until the Eight Times Eights, a club made up of (you guessed it) eight eighth graders, invited me to join. I know you’re wondering why I’d even consider going to a club the Unicorns have always hated. But the Eights are in eighth grade like me–which means I’ll have ready-made friends when I go on to Sweet Valley High next year. Besides, it turns out that the Eights are way cooler than any of us ever thought–and much more sophisticated than the Unicorns. Sure, the Unicorns have been my best friends forever, but I have my future to think about…

The Unicorn Club #13: Who Will Be Miss Unicorn?

Daniel Weiss Associates 1996

Mandy Miller says: You won’t believe it. Just when I thought the Unicorns were through acting silly and competitive with each other, they’ve entered the Sweet Valley Princess Beauty Pageant! Notice I said they. If you ask me, the whole idea is totally stupid. I mean, who cares if some judge likes how you look in an evening gown. The other Unicorns care, that’s who. And this pageant is definitely bringing out their worst. Lila put soap in everyone’s high heels. Jessica took a few stitches out of Kimberly’s evening gown. And Ellen even tried to cut off Jessica’s hair! I thought it couldn’t get any worse–until Kimberly got stage fright and begged me to go on in her place!

Team Sweet Valley #1: Jessica Goes for the Gold

Daniel Weiss Associates 1996

For Jessica Wakefield, the upcoming California Games are the chance of a lifetime. As a member of the Sweet Valley Middle School cheerleading squad, Jessica’s always known she’s a super athlete. And now she’s earned a place on the school’s gymnastics team, she’s ready to prove her acrobatic skills to the whole state. Jessica’s sure she’s good enough to win a gold medal at the games–until she comes face-to-face with Dawn Maven, the star gymnast of a rival team. Dawn is strong, graceful, and ruthless. She’ll do whatever it takes to win–and that includes sabotaging Jessica’s performance! Jessica wanted a fair competition. But will she have to play by Dawn’s dirty rules to win?

Sweet Valley Twins #109: Don’t Go in the Basement

Daniel Weiss Associates 1997

When Jessica Wakefield started a house-sitting service with her twin sister, Elizabeth, she never imagined their first client would be Mr. Clark, the school principal. Elizabeth is nervous, but Jessica is psyched. She wants some juicy gossip about private Mr. Clark, and snooping around his house will be a great way to find it. But Jessica finds more than she bargained for: a butcher knife in the hall closet, and a long lock of hair in the dresser. Then, in the cobwebs of Mr. Clark’s dark, damp basement, something makes Jessica’s heart stand still. Jessica always thought Mr. Clark was a pain…but could he also be a murderer?

Sweet Valley Twins #101: Twins in Love

Daniel Weiss Associates 1996

Identical twins Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield can’t believe their eyes. While on a family vacation at the Triple Z Ranch, they meet two perfect guys–who happen to be thirteen year old twins! Elizabeth hits it off immediately with Nick Handel, and his brother, Chris, is the boy of Jessica’s dreams. At first. After one double date, the girls think that maybe they each picked the wrong twin. They don’t want to hurt the boys’ feelings, so they pull a secret twin switch. Jessica pretends to be Elizabeth…and Elizabeth pretends to be Jessica. But on their second double date, the Wakefield twins begin to wonder…they are each with the right boy now, aren’t they? One thing is certain: a twin should know better than to trust a twin.

Sweet Valley Twins #93: The Incredible Madame Jessica

Daniel Weiss Associates 1996

Jessica Wakefield can see the future! She’s been saying so for months, and when she opens up a fortune-telling booth at the Sweet Valley Middle School fair, she finally proves it. Everything she predicts comes true–her studious twin sister, Elizabeth, flunks a history test, Patrick Morris breaks up with Sophia Rizzo, and Aaron Dallas gets suspended from the basketball team. Jessica is elated–she’s the hottest act in town. The only problem is she’s telling everyone exactly what they don’t want to hear–and the more she predits, the more people blame her for their bad luck! Does Jessica have to lose her psychic powers to keep her friends?