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The Happy Hollisters #4
The Happy Hollisters and the Indian Treasure
The Happy Hollisters and the Indian Treasure (#4 in the Happy Hollisters series)Another exciting adventure for this happy family comes about through their new friend Indy Roades, a former baseball player and a Yumatan Indian. He tells them about his pueblo in the mountains of New Mexico, and his tribe’s lost turquoise mine. When Mr. Hollister hears that a store there, called THE CHAPPARAL which sells silver trinkets and Yumatan articles, is closing down, he considers buying the goods for his own shop, THE TRADING POST. He decides to go to New Mexico to examine the stock, and takes his family along with him.After an exciting journey by plane, and in a rented school bus, they arrive among the friendly Yumatans. The children have a wonderful time joining in the games and festivals. Indy’s niece and nephew, Blue Feather and Red Feather, show them how to shoot with bows and arrows, and ride bareback on Pinto ponies, as Indian children do. But best of all, they foil the thieves who had stolen the goods they came to buy—and discover a clue to the buried mine.How they help the tribe to regain their prosperity and happiness, and the reward that the grateful Yumatans give them in return, makes an enthralling end to this new story in the Happy Hollister series.First published in 1953, these charming mystery-adventure stories, faithfully reproduced, are now available in paperback and eBook for the first time! Written for boys and girls between the ages of six and twelve, The Happy Hollisters are wholesome books, with an accent on humor and good, clean fun. Integrity always pays off and right wins over wrong. This is a perfect gift for the young reader in your life. Parents, grandparents, and teachers love these books for their healthy celebration of life in simpler times. Kids are thrilled with the fast-paced action and will not want to put them down. Over seventy action-packed illustrations make the story – and the Hollister family – so vivid that the reader has a feeling of really sharing in on the adventures of this lovable and interesting family.
184 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1953
37 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Jerry West
92 books51 followersThe Happy Hollisters by Jerry West was actually written by Andrew E. Svenson, a prolific yet somewhat anonymous, writer of books for children. Jerry West was the pen name assigned to Svenson when he started writing The Happy Hollisters for the Stratemeyer Syndicate. The Stratemeyer Syndicate was a book packager, well-known for its development of children’s book series including Tom Swift, The Bobbsey Twins, The Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew. Many of these series were intended to have long publishing lives, and were written by multiple authors using the same pseudonym. The Happy Hollisters, however, were all written by Andrew Svenson, whose identity as Jerry West was kept secret until several years after his death in 1975.
Andrew Svenson was born in Belleville, NJ, in 1910, and his interest in writing started early. He was editor of his high school newspaper and yearbook at Barringer High School in Newark, and then went on to study Creative Writing at the University of Pittsburgh. After his graduation in 1932, he worked as a reporter and editor for the Newark Star Eagle and the Newark Evening News. He also taught creative writing courses at Rutgers University and Upsala College.
Andrew Svenson was encouraged by his friend Howard Garis (author of Uncle Wiggily) to try his hand at juvenile fiction. He joined the Stratemeyer Syndicate as a writer in 1948, where he contributed to established series as Franklin W. Dixon (The Hardy Boys) and as Laura Lee Hope (The Bobbsey Twins). The first volume in his own original series, The Happy Hollisters, was published in 1953 by Doubleday & Company, and he was made a partner in the Stratemeyer Syndicate in 1961. As he wrote and developed 33 titles in The Happy Hollisters, he was also creating additional series for children under other pen names: Bret King by Dan Scott and The Tollivers by Alan Stone, one of the first series written about and for African-American children.
Under various pseudonyms, Andrew Svenson wrote more than 70 adventure and mystery novels for children, which were published in 17 languages and sold millions of copies. The Hollister family was modeled on his own family and he often used actual Svenson family events and travels as the foundation for The Happy Hollisters books. He also kept copious newspaper clippings for story ideas, and interviewed hundreds of school children and teachers for additional suggestions. These ideas were then worked into his storylines, adding an educational element that was appreciated by parents and educators alike. The children loved the stories for their elements of danger and excitement geared to their comprehension level.
After his death in 1975, the Stratemeyer Syndicate assigned all rights to The Happy Hollisters to his widow, Marian Svenson; they subsequently became the property of The Hollister Family Properties Trust. The current publication was initiated by Andrew E. Svenson III, grandson of the author, on behalf of The Hollister Family Properties Trust.
Andrew Svenson was born in Belleville, NJ, in 1910, and his interest in writing started early. He was editor of his high school newspaper and yearbook at Barringer High School in Newark, and then went on to study Creative Writing at the University of Pittsburgh. After his graduation in 1932, he worked as a reporter and editor for the Newark Star Eagle and the Newark Evening News. He also taught creative writing courses at Rutgers University and Upsala College.
Andrew Svenson was encouraged by his friend Howard Garis (author of Uncle Wiggily) to try his hand at juvenile fiction. He joined the Stratemeyer Syndicate as a writer in 1948, where he contributed to established series as Franklin W. Dixon (The Hardy Boys) and as Laura Lee Hope (The Bobbsey Twins). The first volume in his own original series, The Happy Hollisters, was published in 1953 by Doubleday & Company, and he was made a partner in the Stratemeyer Syndicate in 1961. As he wrote and developed 33 titles in The Happy Hollisters, he was also creating additional series for children under other pen names: Bret King by Dan Scott and The Tollivers by Alan Stone, one of the first series written about and for African-American children.
Under various pseudonyms, Andrew Svenson wrote more than 70 adventure and mystery novels for children, which were published in 17 languages and sold millions of copies. The Hollister family was modeled on his own family and he often used actual Svenson family events and travels as the foundation for The Happy Hollisters books. He also kept copious newspaper clippings for story ideas, and interviewed hundreds of school children and teachers for additional suggestions. These ideas were then worked into his storylines, adding an educational element that was appreciated by parents and educators alike. The children loved the stories for their elements of danger and excitement geared to their comprehension level.
After his death in 1975, the Stratemeyer Syndicate assigned all rights to The Happy Hollisters to his widow, Marian Svenson; they subsequently became the property of The Hollister Family Properties Trust. The current publication was initiated by Andrew E. Svenson III, grandson of the author, on behalf of The Hollister Family Properties Trust.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 29, 2012
Can I start by saying just one thing?
Mr. & Mrs. Hollister are the Coolest. Parents. Ever. Seriously. I mean, get this:
The men and boys pushed against the huge stones with all their strength. Finally the rocks yielded and rolled away, revealing a small opening.
The policeman tried to look in with his light but could see nothing.
"Ricky," said Mr. Hollister, "that hole's hardly big enough to squeeze through, but do you want to try it?"
"You bet!"
I rest my case. Ricky, I'm right there with you.
So the mystery itself is good - up to it's usual quality of being believable. I'm going to forgive some happy coincidences because let's face them, that's standard and kind of necessary. And again, I loved visiting this time period and wish I lived there. I bet Mrs. Hollister would bungee jump if she lived nowadays. (read the book, you'll find out why I said that.)
'nuff said. Go read the book. You'll enjoy it.
Mr. & Mrs. Hollister are the Coolest. Parents. Ever. Seriously. I mean, get this:
The men and boys pushed against the huge stones with all their strength. Finally the rocks yielded and rolled away, revealing a small opening.
The policeman tried to look in with his light but could see nothing.
"Ricky," said Mr. Hollister, "that hole's hardly big enough to squeeze through, but do you want to try it?"
"You bet!"
I rest my case. Ricky, I'm right there with you.
So the mystery itself is good - up to it's usual quality of being believable. I'm going to forgive some happy coincidences because let's face them, that's standard and kind of necessary. And again, I loved visiting this time period and wish I lived there. I bet Mrs. Hollister would bungee jump if she lived nowadays. (read the book, you'll find out why I said that.)
'nuff said. Go read the book. You'll enjoy it.
July 7, 2020
These books are some of my most treasured possessions from my childhood. Many of my collected books from the series were from each of my parents when THEY were little, and I continue to collect the books when I come across them at antique stores.
April 29, 2024
A true fairy tale, from loss to recovery, restored community, and a dance at the end!
May 14, 2020
The author's note at the beginning of the book is perfection.
February 18, 2017
The Hollisters are written for a younger audience than the Famous Five books by Enid Blyton. Unlike the Famous Five, the Hollisters did not go on holidays alone without adults, and they did not usually five themselves in such extreme dangers. They still managed to live adventures and solve mysteries, though.
The books were written in the 50s and 60s, and it depicts a clean-cut, wholesome family, where children get along with their siblings and respect their parents. The plot is simple, as befits the target audience, and the chapters usually end in a cliffhanger to keep readers interested. The target audience is a bit too young for the books to appeal to adult readers, but then again they do not need to. Children between 5 and 11 are the target audience, and the books will work well for them.
In this book, the Hollisters meet a Native American man and the whole family ends up traveling together to an Indian reservation, where Mr. Hollister intends to make a business deal so that he can sell their handcrafted products. Unfortunately, the products he was going to buy are stolen, and the family gets involved in investigating that, and also in looking for a long-lost turquoise mine belonging to the tribe. At the same time they have their adventure, they make friends there and have a good time.
The books were written in the 50s and 60s, and it depicts a clean-cut, wholesome family, where children get along with their siblings and respect their parents. The plot is simple, as befits the target audience, and the chapters usually end in a cliffhanger to keep readers interested. The target audience is a bit too young for the books to appeal to adult readers, but then again they do not need to. Children between 5 and 11 are the target audience, and the books will work well for them.
In this book, the Hollisters meet a Native American man and the whole family ends up traveling together to an Indian reservation, where Mr. Hollister intends to make a business deal so that he can sell their handcrafted products. Unfortunately, the products he was going to buy are stolen, and the family gets involved in investigating that, and also in looking for a long-lost turquoise mine belonging to the tribe. At the same time they have their adventure, they make friends there and have a good time.
February 17, 2017
Lizzie: I really love this book. There are some hard words, but I still love it. There is so much detail that when I read it I can see it in my mind. I love the whole series and hope it never ends. Happy Hollister books make me happy.
June 30, 2020
I liked it. They go to New Mexico to buy some stuff for the trading post, but when they get there, it was robbed from and they need to find the robber before he sells it for more money.
Read
March 9, 2017really sweet, definitely a series to look at adding to my collection!
January 31, 2021
Their new friend Indy Roades, a former baseball player and a Yumatan Indian tells them about his pueblo in the mountains of New Mexico, and his tribe’s lost turquoise mine. This makes for an exciting plot, while learning about a different culture. Mr. Hollister hears that a store there, called The Chapparal which sells silver trinkets and Yumatan articles, is closing down, he considers buying the goods for his own shop, The Trading Post. He takes his family there. After an exciting journey by plane, and in a rented school bus, they arrive among the friendly Yumatans. And what an adventure. Blue Feather and Red Feather show them how to shoot with bows and arrows and ride bareback on Pinto ponies, as Indian children do. But best of all, they foil the thieves who had stolen the goods they came to buy and discover a clue to the buried mine. I love this family. Loyal, friendly, and adventurous.
March 17, 2021
The Happy Hollisters and the Indian Treasure: (Volume 4) by Jerry West
This story starts out with the family helping a local Indian with a missing package. They figure out it went to the wrong street and located it and brought it back to Indy.
He was to set up at a fair the next day, selling hand made Indian souvenirs. We have traveled to Peach, NV and saw the Indians made the jewelry and discover so much more about them.
While the family will be traveling to New Mexico to buy the store there that is closing they go to help Indy at the fair.
So many new experiences for the family. Especially love the time spent with the tribe and the things they learn. Love how they are able to piece together clues to catch some bad guys, find treasures and find the hidden meaning of the turquoise.
Such a fun read. Next one picks up where this one leaves off...
This story starts out with the family helping a local Indian with a missing package. They figure out it went to the wrong street and located it and brought it back to Indy.
He was to set up at a fair the next day, selling hand made Indian souvenirs. We have traveled to Peach, NV and saw the Indians made the jewelry and discover so much more about them.
While the family will be traveling to New Mexico to buy the store there that is closing they go to help Indy at the fair.
So many new experiences for the family. Especially love the time spent with the tribe and the things they learn. Love how they are able to piece together clues to catch some bad guys, find treasures and find the hidden meaning of the turquoise.
Such a fun read. Next one picks up where this one leaves off...
December 15, 2021
A good chapter book for children. I read this to my seven year olds in the evening. Every chapter ends in a cliffhanger, and one of my daughters always wants to go on reading.
The writing is dated. Ricky is always saying, "yikes." The five children and the parents tend to fall into stereotypical gender roles, so you need to be careful about that. There have been times in this series, particularly this book where I stop reading, and explain that some of the writing would be considered inaccurate in this day and age. In the 1950s I could see older adult native americans speaking in broken English, but that wouldn't happen today.
That said, my girls really enjoy these stories.
The writing is dated. Ricky is always saying, "yikes." The five children and the parents tend to fall into stereotypical gender roles, so you need to be careful about that. There have been times in this series, particularly this book where I stop reading, and explain that some of the writing would be considered inaccurate in this day and age. In the 1950s I could see older adult native americans speaking in broken English, but that wouldn't happen today.
That said, my girls really enjoy these stories.
Read
May 30, 2021Again fun & cozy read, I especially enjoyed the scene where children were horseback riding. It was so familiar, I could relate to them at that point. With animals you can't never know what's going to happen. That was a hilarious scene :D
There was again also an adventure/mystery to solve. I really like these books more where the family travels somewhere. There is then new people & settings and that's refreshing.
There was again also an adventure/mystery to solve. I really like these books more where the family travels somewhere. There is then new people & settings and that's refreshing.
February 15, 2021
The Hollisters head west to New Mexico
A trip to buy the merchandise of a business that's closing leads that family of Happy Hollisters into mystery and adventure as they search for a lost turquoise mine. Another fun adventure!
A side note: Does anyone else wish that Pete Hollister would just clean Joey Brill's clock once and for all? Lol
A trip to buy the merchandise of a business that's closing leads that family of Happy Hollisters into mystery and adventure as they search for a lost turquoise mine. Another fun adventure!
A side note: Does anyone else wish that Pete Hollister would just clean Joey Brill's clock once and for all? Lol
April 18, 2018
Fun story, with just the right amount of suspense for younger children.
November 8, 2019
This was another cute, sweet story. The Indians in the story were more like the ones in Western movies then a real Indian tribe, but it was still good for kids.
January 20, 2024
Rating by 8 year old
December 22, 2024
The kids find a lost mine by looking for it
June 9, 2020
We loved it!
My kids and I love this series! Kids are 11, 9, 7, and 5 and all seem to get into the plot.
My kids and I love this series! Kids are 11, 9, 7, and 5 and all seem to get into the plot.
March 24, 2016
Los Hollister es la serie de libros que me inició definitivamente en la lectura. Recuerdo haber leído el primero y, con todo el dinero que había ahorrado por mi primera comunión y en todos los años anteriores, ir a por los 32 restantes, que costaban 600 pelas cada uno. Los compré todos en la feria del libro de Ceuta, lo recuerdo perfectamente, y volví a mi casa con dos bolsas y una mochila llenas de libros, que me duraron tres meses exactamente, para sorpresa/preocupación de mi madre.
Cada libro es el mismo, con aventuras algo diferentes, y con los mismo personajes, que no evolucionan nada en toda la serie. Pete, Pam, Holly, Ricky, Sue, puedo recitar sus nombres treinta años después sin consultarlo. Yo siempre fui de los Hollister, despreciando a quieres eran de los siete secretos, los Cinco o (puaj) Puck.
Junto a Mortadelo, los tres investigadores de Alfred Hitchcock y (a petición de mi padre) las aventuras de Guillermo, comenzaron a formar mi universo lector. Y por ello, aunque sean libros de lo más intrascendente, los considero fundamentales.
Cada libro es el mismo, con aventuras algo diferentes, y con los mismo personajes, que no evolucionan nada en toda la serie. Pete, Pam, Holly, Ricky, Sue, puedo recitar sus nombres treinta años después sin consultarlo. Yo siempre fui de los Hollister, despreciando a quieres eran de los siete secretos, los Cinco o (puaj) Puck.
Junto a Mortadelo, los tres investigadores de Alfred Hitchcock y (a petición de mi padre) las aventuras de Guillermo, comenzaron a formar mi universo lector. Y por ello, aunque sean libros de lo más intrascendente, los considero fundamentales.
September 21, 2023
I’m not entirely certain how to rate this book. Generally, when reading children’s mystery novels, I tend to score by enjoyment rather than other factors. And there is a lot to enjoy in this Hollister’s adventure. Jerry West as the title says takes the story to the desert and on an extended road trip. West obviously did some research and the change of pace serves the series well. The family is also placed in more danger than usual. Plot wise Indian Treasure was miles about the last Hollister outing Sea Gull Beach.
Why then am I unsure how to rate this book? Frankly because even for its time, 1953, I think this is a pretty questionable presentation of Native Americans. Early in the book the amount of garbled Native American speech is overdone to the point, I almost put the book aside. I am not in favor of censoring books, I fully believe kids need to read books to get a sense of the past, however for me this book really suffered and as a parent I’d temper it with a Native American novel or novella to offset some of West’s unfortunate dialogue choices.
Why then am I unsure how to rate this book? Frankly because even for its time, 1953, I think this is a pretty questionable presentation of Native Americans. Early in the book the amount of garbled Native American speech is overdone to the point, I almost put the book aside. I am not in favor of censoring books, I fully believe kids need to read books to get a sense of the past, however for me this book really suffered and as a parent I’d temper it with a Native American novel or novella to offset some of West’s unfortunate dialogue choices.
May 16, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this as a child. I remember learning about turquoise and having my imagination piqued by cliff dwellers. Re-reading it as an adult, the story comes across as stilted and boring. I would still recommend it to any child under 8 who wants something to read.
July 29, 2011
Similar to Enid Blyton's adventure series, but not as good
March 26, 2022
Although I love this book, you can tell it was written in the 1950's!
March 12, 2023
I love reading the stories of my child hood.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews