Book Series · 4 Books

Welcome to Wonderland Books

In order from Home Sweet Motel to Beach Battle Blowout.

P. T. Wilkie has a huge imagination, and Gloria Ortega knows how to turn ideas into a plan. Together they try to save P. T.'s family's wonderfully odd Florida motel through contests, movie chaos, mysteries, and increasingly ambitious attractions.

Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated August 19, 2026

Reading order

How to Read Welcome to Wonderland

Follow Penguin Random House's numbered order from Home Sweet Motel through Beach Battle Blowout. Each vacation-sized mystery stands on its own, but the motel's fortunes and P. T. and Gloria's partnership build from the first book.

Sources: Penguin Random House's official series order.

For parents

What Parents Should Know

The series relies on broad humor, exaggerated storytelling, business competition, and kid-led schemes. There are theft suspicions, rival resorts, public setbacks, and occasional slapstick danger, but friendship, ingenuity, and family loyalty keep the stories upbeat.

Where to start

Where Should My Child Start?

The first adventure explains why the motel needs saving and why Gloria becomes P. T.'s essential partner.

Check in at the beginning

Start with Home Sweet Motel, then follow the four numbered adventures in order.

Where the story begins

First Book in the Series

Sale price

$759

Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

Home Sweet Motel

By Chris Grabenstein

Can two kids save their beloved motel with a wild plan before it's too late?

304 pages· 39,384 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: P.T. Wilkie, a master storyteller, and his savvy friend Gloria face losing the Wonderland Motel, their quirky home filled with endless ice cream and a frog slide. With no customers, they must devise a bold, outrageous plan to save it. Can Gloria's business genius and P.T.'s wild imagination turn the tide, or will they have to say goodbye to their beloved Wonderland forever? Dive into a world of hilarity and mystery as these two friends embark on a madcap adventure to keep their dream alive.

In reading order

Welcome to Wonderland Series

4 books · Published 2016–2019

#1 in Series

Sale price

$759

Home Sweet Motel

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

Can two kids save their beloved motel with a wild plan before it's too late?

#2 in Series

Sale price

$958

Beach Party Surf Monkey

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

A movie shoot at a motel spirals into chaos. Can two kids save the day?

#3 in Series

Sale price

$1699

Sandapalooza Shake-Up

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

A missing tiara, a new restaurant, and a sand contest—can they solve it all?

#4 in Series

Sale price

$799

Beach Battle Blowout

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2019

Can Wonderland Motel out-fun the competition and win the beach race with secret weapons P.T. and Gloria?

Good to know

Common Questions

How many books are in the Welcome to Wonderland series?

There are 4 books in the Welcome to Wonderland series. It began with Home Sweet Motel in 2016, and the newest book, Beach Battle Blowout, was published in 2019.