"A fun read! Murphy sure knows how to weave a story. He had me from page one. Whether you're a young reader or an adult, you'll want to join the journey. And don't forget to admire the view: Adam Taylor's illustrations are as vivid and evocative as the writing."—Lisa Mullins, PRI’s The World
“A captivating, fresh addition to a long list of Christmas titles. Murphy is one of those rare adults who is strongly in tune with his eight-year-old self, able to capture the excitement, adventure, and feelings of childhood, and the magic of Christmas. His tale of twists and turns, actions and dilemmas is told as if he actually lived it. . . . Perhaps he did!”—Martha Zschock, author of Journey Around Cape Cod
“A sweet, imaginative story about something that writers, budding writers and educators can relate to: writer’s block.”—Emily Chetkowski, author of Pumpkin Smile
Praise for the Belltown Mystery series:
“Murphy is a Robert Ludlum for the 10-14 year old set, but with more likeable characters and more fun amidst the terror. —Dan Scully, Boston Magazine
“A novel that middle school readers will devour.”—ForeWord Magazine
When eight-year-old Ryder asks Santa to help his uncle Ted overcome writer’s block and create another amazing story, he cannot know that they’ll both be getting the best present ever. But is it real, or just a wonderful Christmas dream?
T.M. Murphy, featured in the new book 101 Highly Successful Novelists, is the author of the Belltown Mystery series, listed as a Favorite New Series by BookSense Children’s 76. Murphy spends his days touring schools, motivating kids to write, and teaching young writers during the summer at The Writers’ Shack in his hometown.
Adam Taylor's diversified illustration and animation talent has appeared in television, film, publishing and the Internet, with projects for MGM Studios, Disney, Virgin Records, CBS, National Geographic Kids, VH-1 and MTV. Productions include Pink Panther, Baby Pink Panther &amp; Pals, Stargate Infinity, Bulletproof Monk, and the "Pink Panther's Penthouse Party" music video featuring Henry Mancini's Grammy-Award-winning "Pink Panther" theme. Adam, a Massachusetts native, now lives in Los Angeles.

Saving Santa's Seals (LeapKids)

Children's Books

Murphy, T.M.

Animals

Leapfrog Press

WICKED WEIRD STORY STARTERS contains 24 "silly, strange, scary, and suspenseful" tales accompanied by an illustration of an unusual character. These short stories can be enjoyed as-is, however, each ends with a cliffhanger and that's where the fun begins - kids (ages 10 and up) can use their imaginations to finish writing the stories using the blank pages provided in the back of the book. Created by lifelong friends (author) T.M. Murphy and illustrator Mark Penta, WICKED WEIRD STORY STARTERS will surely spark creativity in kids and adults!

Wicked Weird Story Starters

Penta, Mark

Literature & Fiction

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Read the beginning of a story--the rest is up to you! "After many years of teaching writing, these amazing Totally Weird Activity books will captivate even the most reluctant student! Filled with a wide variety of topics and interests to get a story started, the books will ignite a passion for the craft." --Laura Baker, elementary school teacher and winner of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching "Super Stranger Story Starters by T.M. Murphy, illus. by Mark Penta, [is] a collection of story prompts kicking off the Totally Weird Activity Books series." --Publishers Weekly, Fall 2022 Children's Sneak Previews With 22 unique prompts plus colorful illustrations, this creative writing book is ready to go in any direction you want. Each story starter prompt includes space inside to write down and explore ideas of what happens next. There is no wrong way to tell a story, so find inspiration in the artwork details, throw in plot twists, reveal secret desires, make happy endings (or not), introduce new characters. . . the possibilities are endless! Part of the Totally Weird Activity Book series created by childhood friends Mark and Ted, Super Strange Story Starters is perfect for aspiring writers, avid readers, and creative kids who have a story to tell.

Super Strange Story Starters (Totally Weird Activity Books)

Arts, Music & Photography

West Margin Press

Creative Coloring and Far-Out Fun (Totally Weird Activity Books)

Featuring 23unique story starter prompts plus cool, colorful artwork, UnusualObjects in Fantastic Places makes creative writing more fun thanever! It all begins with astrange object in a peculiar place... you decide what happens next! Accompaniedby bold and bright illustrations, each prompt transports you to a differentlocation with a new item that appears out of place. Let your imagination runwild as you read the beginning of the story and write in plot twists, add newcharacters or objects, and more--the possibilities are endless! Part of the Totally WeirdActivity Book series created by childhood friends Mark and Ted, Unusual Objects in Fantastic Places is perfect for aspiring writers,avid readers, and creative kids who have a story to tell.

Unusual Objects in Fantastic Places: A Story Starters Book (Totally Weird Activity Books)

(For ages 7 and up) Crazy! Creative! Cool! This is not your average coloring book...It's filled with strange stories (that you finish writing), colorful characters (that you color), and other peculiar, puzzling pages (that you solve)! All you need are crayons, a pen, and a great imagination. There are 40 activity pages here that provide opportunities for coloring, creative writing, and literally drawing from your imagination. Even the authors get in on the fun: friends since childhood (Mark is the illustrator, Ted the writer) - they appear as cartoon characters on each page (depicted as their "little kid" selves) to instruct and encourage the reader to have fun creating. This is a book the whole family can enjoy; children as young as 3 can enjoy coloring in it. Kids ages 7 and up can practice their reading, writing, and drawing skills. Adults can read the stories and instructions out loud to the kids. The authors' goal is simple: Get Kids Creating!

Wicked Weird Story Starters: Crazy Coloring & Activity Book

Arts & Photography

After sixteen-year-old Orville Jacques receives an ominous prediction from a gypsy fortune-teller, he must match wits with the local police, the CIA, and a fugitive Russian scientist.

The Secrets of Code Z (Belltown Mystery #5)

Mysteries & Detectives

J N Townsend Pub

High school sophomore Orville is only interested in making it through the summer, but then he discovers who is behind the brutal murder of a neighbor in his town on Cape Cod.

THE SECRETS OF BELLTOWN (A Belltown Mystery #1)

Teen detective Orville Jacques confronts dangerous killers while trying to solve a number of crimes that have stymied investigators in his Cape Cod town for forty years.

The Secrets of Cranberry Beach (Belltown Mystery, No 2)

Sixteen-year-old Orville Jacques takes a trip to Ireland and becomes involved in a dangerous search for the lost treasure of a fourteenth-century lord of the manor.

The Secrets of Cain's Castle (Belltown Mystery, 3)

Teen & Young Adult

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Murphy, T.M.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Murphy, T.M.