Creepy Hollow Adventures:
A Golden Book Award Winner spooky, funny, heroic fantasy series for children 6-14
Joe and I became friends on social sites, and I love his quirky sense of humor. When he approched me with the idea of co-authoring a children's book, my artistic talent was triggered right away. We had a lot of fun exchanging ideas while we wrote the story.
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The Authors
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Erika M Szabo
http://www.authorerikamszabo.com 
"Erika became an avid reader at a very early age, thanks to her dad who introduced her to many great books. Erika writes alternate history, romantic fantasy, magical realism novels as well as fun, educational, and bilingual books for children ages 4-12 about acceptance, friendship, family, and moral values such as accepting people with disabilities, dealing with bullies, and not judging others before getting to know them. Erika also likes to encourage children to use their imagination and daydream about fantasy worlds.
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Joe Bonadonna
https://www.dorgoland.blogspot.com/ 
“Much like Erika, Joe’s dad introduced him to books, as well as movies and music, at a very young age. He was encouraged to write as soon as he could hold a pencil. While Joe writes mostly Heroic Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Horror and Science Fiction for an older audience, he decided to reach out to a younger audience and write something entertaining, as well as educational. This is his first collaboration with Erika, and his first children’s book.”
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Click to read pages from the book
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The Realm of Creepy Hollow
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Book 1, Three Ghosts in a Black Pumpkin is available separately and in one book
with book 2 in the Creepy Hollow Adventures 1 & 2
Nikki and her impish cousin, Jack, find a mysterious black pumpkin in the forest on Halloween. A wise talking skeleton, Wishbone, tells them that the ghosts of the Trinity of Wishmothers are trapped inside the pumpkin and can’t be freed without their wands. The children offer their help, so the skeleton takes them on a journey to the world of Creepy Hollow to retrieve the three wands he hid long ago in Red Crow Forest, the Tower of Shadows, and the Cave of Spooks. Ghoulina, the beautiful vegetarian ghoul, and Catman, who was once a man, join them on their quest. They must face danger and conquer evil every step of the way as they search for the Wands before the wicked Hobgoblin and his henchman, a Tasmanian Devil, can get their hands on them. This is a fun, humorous and touching story for kids, with plenty of character interaction woven into a backdrop of scary danger, heroic action and lessons to be learned.
Some of the characters
Nikki and Jack
Ghoulina and Wishbone
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Hobgoblin & Ebenezer
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Catman
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Wishmothers
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Audiobook
Review quotes for Three Ghosts in a Black Pumpkin
“Szabo and Bonadonna’s story crackles with action and excitement. Their storytelling moves with the speed of lightning, but never lets the reader get lost. The atmosphere is just spooky enough to be fun but never enough to be too scary.”
“As a teacher, I look for books that teach a good lesson and this one will not disappoint. I recommend this book for home or school libraries.”
“A cast of endearing (and some not so sweet) characters, non-stop action and plenty of twists and turns engages and delights."
“This story is intriguing and adventurous. It is engaging, well written and easy to read.”
“As a teacher, I look for books that teach a good lesson and this one will not disappoint. I recommend this book for home or school libraries.”
“A cast of endearing (and some not so sweet) characters, non-stop action and plenty of twists and turns engages and delights."
“This story is intriguing and adventurous. It is engaging, well written and easy to read.”
Book 2, The Power of the Sapphire Wand is available separately and in one book
with book 1 in the Creepy Hollow Adventures 1 & 2
Nikki and Jack return to Creepy Hollow in this new, action-packed fantasy adventure for middle-grade children and young adults.
On her 13th birthday, Nikki discovers she has magical powers. During a surprise attack by the giant Mutanto, his henchmen Howler and a gang of Werewolves, Wishbone, Ghoulina and Catman arrive to save the kids and tell them about Evila the Grim Witch’s plans to conquer Creepy Hollow. Nikki also learns the truth about what happened to her parents twelve years ago. She and Jack go back to Creepy Hollow with their friends to help them defeat Evila. Jack discovers he can talk to animals when they meet a herd of Wild Horses and he becomes friends with Champ, the clumsy young colt, and Sparky, the orphaned dragon.
Together, Nikki and Jack conquer their fears and gain courage, and in the final battle against Evila and her minions they grow into the warriors they were destined to become.
EDITORIAL REVIEW:
I had the pleasure of editing The Power of the Sapphire Wand: Creepy Hollow Adventures 2, by Erika M. Szabo and Joe Bonadonna, and was instantly swept up into an adventure of limitless possibilities. Though written for children, I as an adult felt drawn into a mystical place where anything can happen—where children can be mighty warriors, and battle the forces of evil; where animals talk, and join in the fight; where queens and princesses join forces with commoners to save their people and their land; and where wishes really do come true.
The Power of the Sapphire Wand is a wonderful, imaginative tale of adventure that is filled with exquisite original illustrations by Erika Szabo, and though it is the perfect Halloween treat, I find that it is a timeless tale that can be enjoyed by children of all ages anywhere, at any time of year.
~Lee Porche
On her 13th birthday, Nikki discovers she has magical powers. During a surprise attack by the giant Mutanto, his henchmen Howler and a gang of Werewolves, Wishbone, Ghoulina and Catman arrive to save the kids and tell them about Evila the Grim Witch’s plans to conquer Creepy Hollow. Nikki also learns the truth about what happened to her parents twelve years ago. She and Jack go back to Creepy Hollow with their friends to help them defeat Evila. Jack discovers he can talk to animals when they meet a herd of Wild Horses and he becomes friends with Champ, the clumsy young colt, and Sparky, the orphaned dragon.
Together, Nikki and Jack conquer their fears and gain courage, and in the final battle against Evila and her minions they grow into the warriors they were destined to become.
EDITORIAL REVIEW:
I had the pleasure of editing The Power of the Sapphire Wand: Creepy Hollow Adventures 2, by Erika M. Szabo and Joe Bonadonna, and was instantly swept up into an adventure of limitless possibilities. Though written for children, I as an adult felt drawn into a mystical place where anything can happen—where children can be mighty warriors, and battle the forces of evil; where animals talk, and join in the fight; where queens and princesses join forces with commoners to save their people and their land; and where wishes really do come true.
The Power of the Sapphire Wand is a wonderful, imaginative tale of adventure that is filled with exquisite original illustrations by Erika Szabo, and though it is the perfect Halloween treat, I find that it is a timeless tale that can be enjoyed by children of all ages anywhere, at any time of year.
~Lee Porche
Some of the illustrations
Evila the evil witch
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Mutanto and Howler
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Find out from the book
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REVIEWS
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Howling Halloween Stars!
By Janet Balletta on March 19, 2017
Three Ghost in a Black Pumpkin: A Creepy Hollow Adventure by Erika Szabo & Joe Bonadonna is a Halloween Howling Hit! I loved this action packed scary tale from beginning to end and it will certainly engage young readers at home or school. The protagonists are Nikki and Jack, two cousins visiting Grandma's house on the eve of Halloween. While the two children go walking in the woods, they find a keystone, black pumpkin, and Wishbone, a talking skeleton. When Wishbone tells Nikki and Jack about the three Wishmothers who are trapped inside the black pumpkin, they embark on an exciting journey to find three magic wands, battle the antagonists, Hobart and his Tasmanian Devil, who are conjuring all sorts of hocus pocus mayhem in Creepy Hollow. So Nikki, Jack, and Wishbone enter a special portal transporting them to a place called Wormbelow to save Creepy Hollow. Upon exiting the portal they find themselves in a cemetery filled with pretty flowers, tall trees, and glistening spider webs. Wishbone explains the graves are empty because the spirits are free to fly around. Suddenly, Wishbone's friends appear, Catman and the beautiful Ghoulina. Wishbone introduces his friends to the children and they quickly update him on Hobart's plan to destroy Creepy Hollow. Fascinated by everything he sees, young Jack tries to take pictures with his cell phone to capture the incredible surroundings and creatures. Meanwhile, Nikki carefully listens to how Hobart has locked up the mayor of the town and taken charge of Creepy Hollow. Unfortunately, Creepy Hollow does not offer internet and cameras won't work in this mythical place much to Jack's disappointment. Previously, while Wishbone was dualing Hobart, he cleverly hid the three magic wands. Now, the clock is ticking until midnight when the portal closes and the children can return home for the five friends to find the three magic wands, free the three Wishmothers, and restore harmony in Creepy Hollow. Luckily, the three Wishmothers have granted them three magic wishes which they must learn to use wisely for the plan to work. Together the five friends will venture the Red Crow Forest, the Cave of Spooks, and the Tower of Shadows, battling every mythical creature along the way to save the day. This is book one in a series and I am already wondering what ghoulish adventures await this heroic team. As a teacher, I look for books that teach a good lesson and this one will not disappoint. I recommend this book for home or school libraries for children from ages 6 to 12. I gave it 5 Howling Halloween stars!
5.0 out of 5 stars There is magic in this story!
By M.Aon March 19, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
There is magic in this story! Three Ghosts in a Black Pumpkin is a book that will satisfy the hungry reader. It will not be disappointing. In our era, children are involved in the use of modern tools: cell phones, texting, taking pictures and posting them on face book. Many kids live an unfulfilled life. The children in this story, Nikki and Jack, are no different, but, there is an exception. They get caught up in a realm where they won't get bored. Not a dull moment! They meet mythical characters, witches, goblins, ghosts in spooky, creepy places. The children get involved in saving these creatures that are under spells. This story is intriguing and adventurous. It is engaging, well written and easy to read. You can sense the emotions, courage and fears. It teaches children and young teens a lesson in responsibility. As children reach a certain age, even though not mature, they can venture out into the world, make decisions with no adults supervision, learn to step out their comfort zone, and move through situations that requires their help. The rhymes in the vignettes and the illustrations give a special touch to the story. The authors, Erika Szabo and Joe Bonadonna, share a great talent and imagination when it comes to write children's stories. They take kids and young teens on a magical reading journey that will keep them glued to the pages. I recommend this book for young teens. It is the perfect story for Halloween time. It's like Cool Whip on a pie!
5.0 out of 5 stars Venture, if you dare, into Creepy Hollow
By Fletcher Vredenburgh on March 30, 2017
Format: Paperback
Somewhere in space and time, across from Halloween, is the world of Creepy Hollow. It used to be protected from evil by the Trinity of Wishmothers. Now, though, they are dead and their ghosts have been trapped in a pitch-black pumpkin by Hobart T. Hobgoblin. The wicked Hobart (and his sidekick, Ebenezer Rex, the Tasmanian Devil) is now free to work evil on the land.
On Halloween, twelve-year old Nikki Sweet and her eleven-year old cousin Jack Brady find a black pumpkin. Their immediate reaction is to bring it home and turn it into a jack-o’-lantern. Just as they prepare to fetch a knife, their grandmother’s silver skeleton wind chime Mr. Bonejingles warns them not to do it.
The wind chime was once the mighty hero, Wishbone Jones, but he was reduced to his current state by Hobart’s dark magic. Only with the help of Nikki and Jack can he return home and free the Wishmothers from their prison. With a few magic words, Nikki, Jack, and Jones are magically transported to Creepy Hollow. Aided by Wishbone’s friend, Catman, and Goth Wishmother-in-training, Ghoulina, they begin a quest to find the Wishmother’s three wands that will take them to the Red Crow Forest, the Cave of Spooks, and the Tower of Shadows.
Nikki and Jack are terrific characters. Their humorous bickering and genuine affection for each other make them very relatable. Wishbone Jones and Catman are good-natured foils for the snarky, sometimes cranky Ghoulina. Together, the band of heroes’ quick wits and courage in the face of deadly crows, evil Shadows, and wicked Spooks, will thrill anyone who picks up
The megalomaniacal Hobart T. Hobgoblin is a great villain, who chews up the scenery every time he shows up. Though we never feel sorry for him, we learn enough about his past to understand him.
Szabo and Bonadonna’s story crackles with action and excitement. Their storytelling moves with the speed of lightning, but never lets the reader get lost. The atmosphere is just spooky enough to be fun but never enough to be too scary.
There are also some valuable lessons to be learned along the way. Nikki and Jack must figure out for themselves that while selfishness and greed can lead to a bad end, courage and self-sacrifice can help defeat evil. Szabo and Bonadonna weave this into the story with great skill.
There’s only one real problem with THREE GHOSTS: not enough of Szabo’s delightfully weird illustrations. Combining photographs with painted (?) backgrounds, they bring Creepy Hollow and the characters stunningly to life. My favorite is of the dashing Catman, dressed in brocaded velvet.
I’m unable to do justice to the wealth of detail and action Szabo and Bonadonna managed to pack into this short book. From the very first page, they catch the reader up and then don’t let go until the very last page. Any young reader with an interest in fantasy and adventure should probably like and I recommend it highly.
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful!
By Sandra Novelly on March 30, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
A blue stone and a black pumpkin found in the woods bordering cousins Nikki Sweet and Jack Brady’s grandmother’s yard transport the two children, accompanied by a talking skeleton wind chime, into the world of Creepy Hollow. They and their finds become central in a desperate attempt to save the town from the power hungry goblin, Hobart T. Hobgoblin and his ruthless accomplices by freeing the three Wishmothers from their imprisonment in the black pumpkin.
Not only does this tale—perfect for ages six to young teens--entertain, it teaches important lessons on how to work with others to accomplish goals, how to face fear, the importance of safety, and how to make difficult decisions. A cast of endearing (and some not so sweet) characters, non-stop action and plenty of twists and turns engages and delights.
5.0 out of 5 stars "Once upon a Hallowe'en, in a world both far from and eerily close to our own..."
ByT. C. Rypel (author of the GONJI series)on June 3, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
I received THREE GHOSTS as a review copy submitted by the esteemed authors, who are colleagues, and as such things transpire again and again among writers, I had to shelve it for a while, diverted by a lot of decidedly UN-magical routine stuff---you know how those things accumulate like barnacles. But I've finally gotten to read it, and I couldn't be more delighted with this quite original work of (I'm estimating) middle-grade goose-pimply fun.
This story is an engaging, adventurous romp through a spooky supernatural world with a Grimm Brothers bite and a sly wink at modern culture. Enabled by "Ectomagic Gates" which open between worlds before Hallowe'en for a baker's fortnight (that's 13 days, for you mundanes), spirited, combative "cousins" Jack (11) and Nikki (12---she's adopted) are thrust into the spooky melodrama of a power struggle in Creepy Hollow, where the evil master of Goblin Acres, Hobart T. ("Hob") Goblin has set his well-honed claws to grasping the entire ghostly region for himself---with the aid of his nasty transformed tasmanian devil, Ebenezer Rex. He's paved the way for himself by murdering the benevolent Trinity of Wishmothers and imprisoning their chained, living spirits in an ensorceled black pumpkin.
But the Wishmothers' three Magic Wands, sources of immense wishing power, have been stolen back from him by the WM's champion, Wishbone Jones---former valiant warrior in shimmering armor, but now reduced by Hob Goblin's magic to a silver skeleton, nothing more than a six-inch tall crusading wind chime (oh---and you can call him "Bob," in accordance with a story palindrome perk that wordplay lovers will grin at) ...
Do you get that the reader is in for one rollicking supernatural ride?
Oh, yes, rest assured---all this wild spellduggery comes together with supernatural charm and breathtaking wonder, as Jack and Nikki bring their spunky and resourceful doughtiness to the scary proceedings, joined by companions who comprise one of those endearing one-for-all (when they're not squabbling, one-on-one) heroic quest fellowships that make you want to arm yourself with your favorite weapons and spells and ride along into delicious peril.
Erika M. Szabo's beautiful, sometimes haunting (there, I said it) illustrations are interposed now and again to break up the smooth, briskly paced, reader-friendly narrative, co-written by the multi-talented Szabo and superb heroic-fantasy author Joe Bonadonna. I particularly admired the dashingly clad Catman and the goth Ghoulina (a vegetarian ghoul!). But all the illos are first-rate.
The text is laced with clever name coinages for characters and locales, recast from a thoughtful assortment of ghost-story and fairy-tale tropes. The reader is quickly assimilated into the creepy-comfort of a world of irresistible waking-nightmare fun. (Creepy Hollow's mayor is "Creach Gillman"---slap your knee over the provenance of THAT one, fellow monsterkids!) There's some talk of "torture" and of a character who likes to "hurt little children." But that's all mercifully left to the imagination; nothing of it turns up "on-screen." I've seen a review that decries some sort of "inappropriate language," but for the life of me I couldn't detect any. Maybe someone was magically permeated by the rather dark, gothic MOOD of the story, to the point of suffering imagination "sparks"---apprehending creepiness that transcends the text. But isn't that the point of all effective scary stories, to make you see things that aren't there, and recoil from them?
THREE GHOSTS fosters an aura of classic-fairy-tale, grasping dark powers that always makes the occasional over-sensitive reader uneasy. So did the Brothers Grimm, in their original, undiluted texts. That certainly seeps like a chill hand along one's backbone here. But there's also a modern hipness in the kids' sensibilities and colloquial language. Contemporary culture and technology is flashed (OCD, cellphones, Facebook), albeit in ways that are subtly turned on their heads and confounded in the service of the story's magical context.
What ensues is a splendidly plotted quest for justice, magic restoration and hard-earned wisdom that begins for our staunch heroic band in Celestria Cemetery (Celestria...or Wormbelow, depending on your POV), where ghosts and humans can live together, and surges through fresh, well-conceived trappings of classic ghost/folklore tales---mausoleums, gnomes, goblins, spiders, strafing red crows---and on to the final reckoning in the climactic Battle of Crag Heap (love those names). The adventurers' road is not paved with Hallowe'en treats, though there are thrills aplenty. Genuine danger and not a little pain are dealt with, as they bicker and bond and support one another through the harrowing encounters. There are transformations (e.g., Jack becomes heroic "Hallowe'en Man"---Nikki morphs into "Zinja, the Warrior Girl"!), wishes, magic potions, scary locations, and important lessons learned by doing and experiencing. (Albeit, thankfully, the kids don't turn smarmy sweet and blankly obedient because of their ordeal.)
Imagination roils on every page. There are fights and surprises and jolts of unexpected magic, manifested with dazzling strokes. And though satisfyingly tidy wizardry and folksy magic imbue the exciting climax with the requisite mysticism, it is courage and loyalty that ultimately win the day. And even time itself is warped just enough to assure a happy outcome (and the possibility of sequels).
Reservations? Sure, I had a few. I have yet to read the perfect book. I thought there was too much back story imparted by exposition, early on. I'd have liked to see active narrative dramatize some of the interesting things we're merely told, mainly by Wishbone Jones. But scene selection, narrative length and pacing, and considerations like "how much is too much?" are always debatable aspects of any story.
All in all, THREE GHOSTS IN A BLACK PUMPKIN is a winner. Put it on your read-this-every-All-Hallows shelf. And internalize it's lessons: You'll never again carve a pumpkin with cavalier aggressiveness. Or, for that matter, play with matches...
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5.0 out of 5 stars Great starter novel for kids 4-12
review by S E Lindberg November 26, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
The Power of the Sapphire Wand continues the Creepy Hollow Adventures (the first being Three Ghosts in a Black Pumpkin: Creepy Hollow Adventures 1). It is crafted by the duo of Erika M Szabo, an established children's book author, and Joe Bonadonna, established in the Heroic Fantasy and Science Fiction arena. I know Bonadonna's work more than Szabo's; even though he has written more adult fiction, he has always expressed empathy and interest in children's perspectives (partly inspired by a direct connection to the 1958 Our Lady of the Angels School fire).
The paperback The Power of the Sapphire Wand clocks in at 244 pages, but it reads fast with wide spacing and large font. Jack and Nikki are key young protagonists who come of age ~13yrs old, learning new Gifts and making friends as they adventure in "Creepy Hollow" (a parallel world, Narnia-esque). They leave earth to save family members and fantastical creatures from Evila, a cruel witch. All the fantasy creatures are derived from common myths/stories, and the "Creepy" world is appropriately fantastical yet very accessible.
Humor abounds, with three stooge-like goons (Poo, Goo, and Boo) and Dragon Rocks (a.k.a. scat, or poop) playing essential roles. Plenty of righteous motivations drive Jack and Nikki: they protect the weak and confront evil directly. It is fun to see them grow. Some of the bad guys are just too bad to save, but others are open to redemption.
In short, Szabo and Bonadonna make a great pair. Their Creepy Hollow Adventures is a perfect starting point for young children making the leap from "kids books" to "novels."
5.0 out of 5 stars I’m an adult but the child in me thoroughly enjoyed it
Review by Mr. A Weston, November 10, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
I’ve been looking forward to Nikki and Jack’s return to Creepy Hollow since their last adventure in “Three Ghosts in a Black Pumpkin.”
In this quest, Nikki’s 13th birthday brings quite a surprise; she’s gifted with magical powers! A timely revelation it seems, for trouble is brewing back in Creepy Hollow: a wicked witch – Evila – is planning to rid the land of all light, love and life, and to do so, she intends to poison all that’s pure and destroy anything standing in her way...no matter what it costs or who gets hurt.
That’s not the only surprise in store for our dynamic duo. They find out Grandma Sweet’s true identity; what really happened to Nikki’s parents twelve years ago; oh yes, and Jack discovers he can do something amazing too...
But will it be enough to save the day?
Like Dorothy found out in the Wizard of Oz, The Power of the Sapphire Wand is a wonderfully enchanting tale that sweeps you away and transports you to a magical land where dreams do come true and anything can happen. There are heroes, heroines and villains in all shapes and sizes; action and high adventure; drama and suspense; and best of all – and ending you will surely love.
I’m an adult but the child in me thoroughly enjoyed it. Well done to the authors, they did it again with an endearing tale youngsters will adore.
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read
Review by Sandra Novelly, October 30, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
The Power of the Sapphire Wand: Creepy Hollow Adventures 2 This book continues the adventures of Nikki Sweet and her cousin, Jack. The Grim Witch Evila and her evil cohorts plan to conquer all of Creepy Hollow and turn it into a dark, dank and dangerously miserable wasteland. However Evila did not plan on having to face the rightful Queen, Leandra, and her determined band of enchanting subjects, two of whom are her own surprised granddaughter and 'adopted' grandson. This engaging book holds all the action, comradery, and suspense one could wish for in an entertaining book for kids of all ages.
By Janet Balletta on March 19, 2017
Three Ghost in a Black Pumpkin: A Creepy Hollow Adventure by Erika Szabo & Joe Bonadonna is a Halloween Howling Hit! I loved this action packed scary tale from beginning to end and it will certainly engage young readers at home or school. The protagonists are Nikki and Jack, two cousins visiting Grandma's house on the eve of Halloween. While the two children go walking in the woods, they find a keystone, black pumpkin, and Wishbone, a talking skeleton. When Wishbone tells Nikki and Jack about the three Wishmothers who are trapped inside the black pumpkin, they embark on an exciting journey to find three magic wands, battle the antagonists, Hobart and his Tasmanian Devil, who are conjuring all sorts of hocus pocus mayhem in Creepy Hollow. So Nikki, Jack, and Wishbone enter a special portal transporting them to a place called Wormbelow to save Creepy Hollow. Upon exiting the portal they find themselves in a cemetery filled with pretty flowers, tall trees, and glistening spider webs. Wishbone explains the graves are empty because the spirits are free to fly around. Suddenly, Wishbone's friends appear, Catman and the beautiful Ghoulina. Wishbone introduces his friends to the children and they quickly update him on Hobart's plan to destroy Creepy Hollow. Fascinated by everything he sees, young Jack tries to take pictures with his cell phone to capture the incredible surroundings and creatures. Meanwhile, Nikki carefully listens to how Hobart has locked up the mayor of the town and taken charge of Creepy Hollow. Unfortunately, Creepy Hollow does not offer internet and cameras won't work in this mythical place much to Jack's disappointment. Previously, while Wishbone was dualing Hobart, he cleverly hid the three magic wands. Now, the clock is ticking until midnight when the portal closes and the children can return home for the five friends to find the three magic wands, free the three Wishmothers, and restore harmony in Creepy Hollow. Luckily, the three Wishmothers have granted them three magic wishes which they must learn to use wisely for the plan to work. Together the five friends will venture the Red Crow Forest, the Cave of Spooks, and the Tower of Shadows, battling every mythical creature along the way to save the day. This is book one in a series and I am already wondering what ghoulish adventures await this heroic team. As a teacher, I look for books that teach a good lesson and this one will not disappoint. I recommend this book for home or school libraries for children from ages 6 to 12. I gave it 5 Howling Halloween stars!
5.0 out of 5 stars There is magic in this story!
By M.Aon March 19, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
There is magic in this story! Three Ghosts in a Black Pumpkin is a book that will satisfy the hungry reader. It will not be disappointing. In our era, children are involved in the use of modern tools: cell phones, texting, taking pictures and posting them on face book. Many kids live an unfulfilled life. The children in this story, Nikki and Jack, are no different, but, there is an exception. They get caught up in a realm where they won't get bored. Not a dull moment! They meet mythical characters, witches, goblins, ghosts in spooky, creepy places. The children get involved in saving these creatures that are under spells. This story is intriguing and adventurous. It is engaging, well written and easy to read. You can sense the emotions, courage and fears. It teaches children and young teens a lesson in responsibility. As children reach a certain age, even though not mature, they can venture out into the world, make decisions with no adults supervision, learn to step out their comfort zone, and move through situations that requires their help. The rhymes in the vignettes and the illustrations give a special touch to the story. The authors, Erika Szabo and Joe Bonadonna, share a great talent and imagination when it comes to write children's stories. They take kids and young teens on a magical reading journey that will keep them glued to the pages. I recommend this book for young teens. It is the perfect story for Halloween time. It's like Cool Whip on a pie!
5.0 out of 5 stars Venture, if you dare, into Creepy Hollow
By Fletcher Vredenburgh on March 30, 2017
Format: Paperback
Somewhere in space and time, across from Halloween, is the world of Creepy Hollow. It used to be protected from evil by the Trinity of Wishmothers. Now, though, they are dead and their ghosts have been trapped in a pitch-black pumpkin by Hobart T. Hobgoblin. The wicked Hobart (and his sidekick, Ebenezer Rex, the Tasmanian Devil) is now free to work evil on the land.
On Halloween, twelve-year old Nikki Sweet and her eleven-year old cousin Jack Brady find a black pumpkin. Their immediate reaction is to bring it home and turn it into a jack-o’-lantern. Just as they prepare to fetch a knife, their grandmother’s silver skeleton wind chime Mr. Bonejingles warns them not to do it.
The wind chime was once the mighty hero, Wishbone Jones, but he was reduced to his current state by Hobart’s dark magic. Only with the help of Nikki and Jack can he return home and free the Wishmothers from their prison. With a few magic words, Nikki, Jack, and Jones are magically transported to Creepy Hollow. Aided by Wishbone’s friend, Catman, and Goth Wishmother-in-training, Ghoulina, they begin a quest to find the Wishmother’s three wands that will take them to the Red Crow Forest, the Cave of Spooks, and the Tower of Shadows.
Nikki and Jack are terrific characters. Their humorous bickering and genuine affection for each other make them very relatable. Wishbone Jones and Catman are good-natured foils for the snarky, sometimes cranky Ghoulina. Together, the band of heroes’ quick wits and courage in the face of deadly crows, evil Shadows, and wicked Spooks, will thrill anyone who picks up
The megalomaniacal Hobart T. Hobgoblin is a great villain, who chews up the scenery every time he shows up. Though we never feel sorry for him, we learn enough about his past to understand him.
Szabo and Bonadonna’s story crackles with action and excitement. Their storytelling moves with the speed of lightning, but never lets the reader get lost. The atmosphere is just spooky enough to be fun but never enough to be too scary.
There are also some valuable lessons to be learned along the way. Nikki and Jack must figure out for themselves that while selfishness and greed can lead to a bad end, courage and self-sacrifice can help defeat evil. Szabo and Bonadonna weave this into the story with great skill.
There’s only one real problem with THREE GHOSTS: not enough of Szabo’s delightfully weird illustrations. Combining photographs with painted (?) backgrounds, they bring Creepy Hollow and the characters stunningly to life. My favorite is of the dashing Catman, dressed in brocaded velvet.
I’m unable to do justice to the wealth of detail and action Szabo and Bonadonna managed to pack into this short book. From the very first page, they catch the reader up and then don’t let go until the very last page. Any young reader with an interest in fantasy and adventure should probably like and I recommend it highly.
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful!
By Sandra Novelly on March 30, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
A blue stone and a black pumpkin found in the woods bordering cousins Nikki Sweet and Jack Brady’s grandmother’s yard transport the two children, accompanied by a talking skeleton wind chime, into the world of Creepy Hollow. They and their finds become central in a desperate attempt to save the town from the power hungry goblin, Hobart T. Hobgoblin and his ruthless accomplices by freeing the three Wishmothers from their imprisonment in the black pumpkin.
Not only does this tale—perfect for ages six to young teens--entertain, it teaches important lessons on how to work with others to accomplish goals, how to face fear, the importance of safety, and how to make difficult decisions. A cast of endearing (and some not so sweet) characters, non-stop action and plenty of twists and turns engages and delights.
5.0 out of 5 stars "Once upon a Hallowe'en, in a world both far from and eerily close to our own..."
ByT. C. Rypel (author of the GONJI series)on June 3, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
I received THREE GHOSTS as a review copy submitted by the esteemed authors, who are colleagues, and as such things transpire again and again among writers, I had to shelve it for a while, diverted by a lot of decidedly UN-magical routine stuff---you know how those things accumulate like barnacles. But I've finally gotten to read it, and I couldn't be more delighted with this quite original work of (I'm estimating) middle-grade goose-pimply fun.
This story is an engaging, adventurous romp through a spooky supernatural world with a Grimm Brothers bite and a sly wink at modern culture. Enabled by "Ectomagic Gates" which open between worlds before Hallowe'en for a baker's fortnight (that's 13 days, for you mundanes), spirited, combative "cousins" Jack (11) and Nikki (12---she's adopted) are thrust into the spooky melodrama of a power struggle in Creepy Hollow, where the evil master of Goblin Acres, Hobart T. ("Hob") Goblin has set his well-honed claws to grasping the entire ghostly region for himself---with the aid of his nasty transformed tasmanian devil, Ebenezer Rex. He's paved the way for himself by murdering the benevolent Trinity of Wishmothers and imprisoning their chained, living spirits in an ensorceled black pumpkin.
But the Wishmothers' three Magic Wands, sources of immense wishing power, have been stolen back from him by the WM's champion, Wishbone Jones---former valiant warrior in shimmering armor, but now reduced by Hob Goblin's magic to a silver skeleton, nothing more than a six-inch tall crusading wind chime (oh---and you can call him "Bob," in accordance with a story palindrome perk that wordplay lovers will grin at) ...
Do you get that the reader is in for one rollicking supernatural ride?
Oh, yes, rest assured---all this wild spellduggery comes together with supernatural charm and breathtaking wonder, as Jack and Nikki bring their spunky and resourceful doughtiness to the scary proceedings, joined by companions who comprise one of those endearing one-for-all (when they're not squabbling, one-on-one) heroic quest fellowships that make you want to arm yourself with your favorite weapons and spells and ride along into delicious peril.
Erika M. Szabo's beautiful, sometimes haunting (there, I said it) illustrations are interposed now and again to break up the smooth, briskly paced, reader-friendly narrative, co-written by the multi-talented Szabo and superb heroic-fantasy author Joe Bonadonna. I particularly admired the dashingly clad Catman and the goth Ghoulina (a vegetarian ghoul!). But all the illos are first-rate.
The text is laced with clever name coinages for characters and locales, recast from a thoughtful assortment of ghost-story and fairy-tale tropes. The reader is quickly assimilated into the creepy-comfort of a world of irresistible waking-nightmare fun. (Creepy Hollow's mayor is "Creach Gillman"---slap your knee over the provenance of THAT one, fellow monsterkids!) There's some talk of "torture" and of a character who likes to "hurt little children." But that's all mercifully left to the imagination; nothing of it turns up "on-screen." I've seen a review that decries some sort of "inappropriate language," but for the life of me I couldn't detect any. Maybe someone was magically permeated by the rather dark, gothic MOOD of the story, to the point of suffering imagination "sparks"---apprehending creepiness that transcends the text. But isn't that the point of all effective scary stories, to make you see things that aren't there, and recoil from them?
THREE GHOSTS fosters an aura of classic-fairy-tale, grasping dark powers that always makes the occasional over-sensitive reader uneasy. So did the Brothers Grimm, in their original, undiluted texts. That certainly seeps like a chill hand along one's backbone here. But there's also a modern hipness in the kids' sensibilities and colloquial language. Contemporary culture and technology is flashed (OCD, cellphones, Facebook), albeit in ways that are subtly turned on their heads and confounded in the service of the story's magical context.
What ensues is a splendidly plotted quest for justice, magic restoration and hard-earned wisdom that begins for our staunch heroic band in Celestria Cemetery (Celestria...or Wormbelow, depending on your POV), where ghosts and humans can live together, and surges through fresh, well-conceived trappings of classic ghost/folklore tales---mausoleums, gnomes, goblins, spiders, strafing red crows---and on to the final reckoning in the climactic Battle of Crag Heap (love those names). The adventurers' road is not paved with Hallowe'en treats, though there are thrills aplenty. Genuine danger and not a little pain are dealt with, as they bicker and bond and support one another through the harrowing encounters. There are transformations (e.g., Jack becomes heroic "Hallowe'en Man"---Nikki morphs into "Zinja, the Warrior Girl"!), wishes, magic potions, scary locations, and important lessons learned by doing and experiencing. (Albeit, thankfully, the kids don't turn smarmy sweet and blankly obedient because of their ordeal.)
Imagination roils on every page. There are fights and surprises and jolts of unexpected magic, manifested with dazzling strokes. And though satisfyingly tidy wizardry and folksy magic imbue the exciting climax with the requisite mysticism, it is courage and loyalty that ultimately win the day. And even time itself is warped just enough to assure a happy outcome (and the possibility of sequels).
Reservations? Sure, I had a few. I have yet to read the perfect book. I thought there was too much back story imparted by exposition, early on. I'd have liked to see active narrative dramatize some of the interesting things we're merely told, mainly by Wishbone Jones. But scene selection, narrative length and pacing, and considerations like "how much is too much?" are always debatable aspects of any story.
All in all, THREE GHOSTS IN A BLACK PUMPKIN is a winner. Put it on your read-this-every-All-Hallows shelf. And internalize it's lessons: You'll never again carve a pumpkin with cavalier aggressiveness. Or, for that matter, play with matches...
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5.0 out of 5 stars Great starter novel for kids 4-12
review by S E Lindberg November 26, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
The Power of the Sapphire Wand continues the Creepy Hollow Adventures (the first being Three Ghosts in a Black Pumpkin: Creepy Hollow Adventures 1). It is crafted by the duo of Erika M Szabo, an established children's book author, and Joe Bonadonna, established in the Heroic Fantasy and Science Fiction arena. I know Bonadonna's work more than Szabo's; even though he has written more adult fiction, he has always expressed empathy and interest in children's perspectives (partly inspired by a direct connection to the 1958 Our Lady of the Angels School fire).
The paperback The Power of the Sapphire Wand clocks in at 244 pages, but it reads fast with wide spacing and large font. Jack and Nikki are key young protagonists who come of age ~13yrs old, learning new Gifts and making friends as they adventure in "Creepy Hollow" (a parallel world, Narnia-esque). They leave earth to save family members and fantastical creatures from Evila, a cruel witch. All the fantasy creatures are derived from common myths/stories, and the "Creepy" world is appropriately fantastical yet very accessible.
Humor abounds, with three stooge-like goons (Poo, Goo, and Boo) and Dragon Rocks (a.k.a. scat, or poop) playing essential roles. Plenty of righteous motivations drive Jack and Nikki: they protect the weak and confront evil directly. It is fun to see them grow. Some of the bad guys are just too bad to save, but others are open to redemption.
In short, Szabo and Bonadonna make a great pair. Their Creepy Hollow Adventures is a perfect starting point for young children making the leap from "kids books" to "novels."
5.0 out of 5 stars I’m an adult but the child in me thoroughly enjoyed it
Review by Mr. A Weston, November 10, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
I’ve been looking forward to Nikki and Jack’s return to Creepy Hollow since their last adventure in “Three Ghosts in a Black Pumpkin.”
In this quest, Nikki’s 13th birthday brings quite a surprise; she’s gifted with magical powers! A timely revelation it seems, for trouble is brewing back in Creepy Hollow: a wicked witch – Evila – is planning to rid the land of all light, love and life, and to do so, she intends to poison all that’s pure and destroy anything standing in her way...no matter what it costs or who gets hurt.
That’s not the only surprise in store for our dynamic duo. They find out Grandma Sweet’s true identity; what really happened to Nikki’s parents twelve years ago; oh yes, and Jack discovers he can do something amazing too...
But will it be enough to save the day?
Like Dorothy found out in the Wizard of Oz, The Power of the Sapphire Wand is a wonderfully enchanting tale that sweeps you away and transports you to a magical land where dreams do come true and anything can happen. There are heroes, heroines and villains in all shapes and sizes; action and high adventure; drama and suspense; and best of all – and ending you will surely love.
I’m an adult but the child in me thoroughly enjoyed it. Well done to the authors, they did it again with an endearing tale youngsters will adore.
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read
Review by Sandra Novelly, October 30, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
The Power of the Sapphire Wand: Creepy Hollow Adventures 2 This book continues the adventures of Nikki Sweet and her cousin, Jack. The Grim Witch Evila and her evil cohorts plan to conquer all of Creepy Hollow and turn it into a dark, dank and dangerously miserable wasteland. However Evila did not plan on having to face the rightful Queen, Leandra, and her determined band of enchanting subjects, two of whom are her own surprised granddaughter and 'adopted' grandson. This engaging book holds all the action, comradery, and suspense one could wish for in an entertaining book for kids of all ages.