Books with author John Pirhalla

Welcome to Astoria's library, a mysterious place offering its visitors a unique chance to visit their favorite storybook lands. Neverland? Wonderland? Oz? They're all a reality in this magical building, each of dreamlike world waiting to be explored. But what happens when one false move in these mythic lands is enough to change the stories you love? What happens when one wrong step can turn your favorite fairy tale into a nightmare? Wesley Bates thinks he's found an opportunity to leave the drama of middle school behind when he stumbles upon strange doorways in his local library leading into the storybook lands from his favorite books. Neverland, Wonderland, Oz, they're all a reality and just a few short steps away. Unfortunately, the opportunity for adventure comes with a price. Wesley quickly find himself embroiled in a centuries old-battle for the library's magic, a battle that will force him to face the fears he's been dodging, and one of the most terrifying bullies of all time!

Everything you know about your favorite books is about to change! Welcome to Astoria's library, a mysterious place offering its visitors a unique chance to visit their favorite storybook lands. Neverland? Wonderland? Oz? They're all a reality in this magical building, each dreamlike world waiting to be explored. But what happens when one false move in these mythic lands is enough to change the stories you love? What happens when one wrong step can turn your favorite fairy tale into a nightmare? After learning that their actions in Oz have had grave consequences, Wesley and Tay return to the fabled land hoping they can undo any damage they've done. Once there, however, the children discover things are even worse than they imagined. Not only has the Wicked Witch taken control of Oz, Douglas Stanford is now recruiting an army of storybook villains to help him obtain the magic hidden within Astoria's library. The Librarian will need the children's help once more if he's going to protect the library's power from those who intend to exploit it.

Decimus Croome is a dastardly curmudgeon who hates all holidays but especially despises Halloween. He is content to live in his gloomy old house and avoid all human contact whenever possible. He even shuns his own daughter and grandson. But Croome's life changes one memorable Halloween when four ghastly spirits visit him to reveal the misery he has inflicted upon his friends, neighbors, and family members. Based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, The Legend of Decimus Croome is bound to become a Halloween classic for listeners of all ages. Follow old man Croome as he is visited by the lovely but disturbing spirit of his dearly departed wife. She warns him of three spirits yet to follow. And oh, what spirits they are. Each one is more frightening than the last as they deliver a chilling message for Croome and his fellow Halloween humbugs. The Ghost of Halloween Past is a truly horrifying yet disturbingly hilarious spirit who delivers Croome to his distant and not-so-distant past. Along the journey, Croome is warmed with nostalgia then terrified by painful memories from Halloweens gone by. The second spirit is a shape-shifting witch who breaks every stereotype about witches while nearly driving Croome insane with her wild antics and slapstick delivery. As the Ghost of Halloween Present, she takes Croome on a crazy magic carpet ride that reveals his negative influence on those closest to him. The witch also introduces Croome to the magic of Halloween on enchanted visits further afield. The third phantasm delivers the final glimpse of Croome's diabolically repulsive life and the future that is in store for him if he doesn't change his wicked ways. Croome is forced to confront the impending consequences of his cruel and heartless lifestyle. He is spirited away to a bleak future including a terrifying visit to a desolate cemetery. Throughout this delightful and spooky Halloween novel, you will be haunted by ghosts, inspired by a brave young leukemia patient, and entertained by a precocious feline named Black Magic. Join Tommy Bobbich, Decimus Croome, and a whole cast of ghosts, witches, and ghouls in this modern-day holiday story that is sure to provide you with chills, laughs, and even a few touching moments as you hear The Legend of Decimus Croome: A Halloween Carol. You will never look at Halloween the same again.

Welcome to Astoria's library, a mysterious place offering its visitors a unique chance to visit their favorite storybook lands. Neverland? Wonderland? Oz? They're all reality in this magical building, each a dreamlike world waiting to be explored. But what happens when one false move in these mythic lands is enough to change the stories you love? What happens when one wrong step can turn your favorite fairy tale into a nightmare? Little Boy Lost (book one) Wesley Bates thinks his life pretty much sucks. He's landed at the bottom of his school's popularity ladder, and bully Randy Stanford seems to be waiting around every corner. That said, Wes thinks he's found a way to escape his real-world problems when he stumbles upon strange doorways in Astoria's local library that seem to lead into the extraordinary worlds from all his favorite books. Oz, Neverland, Wonderland - they're all reality with Wesley's new discovery. Wesley teams with best friend Taylor Williams to embark on a great adventure, both ready to leave the drama of middle school behind. But the two kids quickly find themselves embroiled in a centuries-old battle for the library and the magic hiding within. Now, fighting alongside the eccentric old man who's vowed to protect the building's power, the pair must help ward off an attack by a shadowy group with a strange tie to Wesley's nemesis, forcing Wesley to face the fears he's been dodging and one of the most terrifying bullies of all time! Unhappily Ever After (book two) Yesterday Taylor and Wes turned a boring field trip to their local library into a grand adventure when they found a mysterious portal leading into the fabled Land of Oz. But that was yesterday. Today they've learned their actions have had grave consequences. Not only did they alter the Oz mythos, but their deeds may have had unexplained repercussions in the real world as well. Taylor's returned home to find she's living a life that isn't her own. Nothing's as she left it. Her normally warm father has become cold and distant. Her grades have fallen overnight. Teachers who once saw her as their favorite student now consider her their most problematic pupil. Only Wesley remembers Taylor as she truly is, and together he and Tay return to Oz, hoping they can undo the damage and restore both worlds to the way they were. But the children quickly find they're in way over their heads. Not only has the Wicked Witch taken control of Oz, but Douglas Stanford has stayed behind to build a small army of storybook villains to help him obtain the magic hidden within Astoria's library. The librarian has returned to stop him, but the old man may need the children's help as the fate of every known world hangs in the balance.