Orcs Ahoy! — Christine M. Morgan

Sam Broderick thinks he's got it bad. His dad just moved out. His mom might have a boyfriend. There's a new housekeeper who doesn't make any of Sam's favorite food. Instead of spending their weekends doing fun stuff, Sam and his brother Kevin and sister Katie have to help clean out an old trailer full of junk. They don't even have time to visit the magical land on the other side of the silver doorway in Aunt Ellie's basement. Oh, Sam thinks he's got it bad all right . At least, he does until he meets Druush. Druush has it worse. A lot worse. Chagro, the fiercest warrior in the Empire of Gerosh, wants to marry Druush's mother. But before he can, he has to get rid of one thing - her son. The people of Gerosh are seagoing orcs - strong, tough and bloodthirsty. On his own, there is no way Druush would survive. He needs help. He needs friends. He needs a way to convince the emperor to order Chagro to spare his life. And so, armed with a bowling ball, a bunch of Hawaiian shirts and a box of ugly ties, Kevin and Katie and Sam Broderick set off through the silver doorway on their greatest adventure yet.