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The Happy Hollisters #7
The Happy Hollisters and the Trading Post Mystery
The Happy Hollisters and the Trading Post Mystery (#7 in the Happy Hollisters series)
There is great activity in the Hollister household upon the arrival of Domingo, the donkey promised Sue in New Mexico. The excitement mounts higher with the discovery of a note attached to the donkey’s halter signed Y.I.F. So begins one of the two mysteries that run through this book.
In the midst of the approaching Christmas season, the Hollisters work out a plan to use Domingo in a special project to provide gifts for the poor children of the town. The project, centered around The Trading Post, Mr. Hollister’s sport and toy store in Shoreham, involves putting a life-sized model of Santa, his sleigh and six reindeer on the roof of the store and then filling the sleigh with gifts contributed by the people of the community.
What happens when this wonderful plan seems completely spoiled by the disappearance of the model? Could there be any connection between the notes signed Y.I.F. and the disappearance? The five children find themselves in the middle of one of their most baffling puzzles.
Here is a Happy Hollister book with not one, but two exciting mysteries along with the fun and companionship that unite this lively family.
First published in 1954, this charming mystery-adventure story, faithfully reproduced, is 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. 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. The 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.
There is great activity in the Hollister household upon the arrival of Domingo, the donkey promised Sue in New Mexico. The excitement mounts higher with the discovery of a note attached to the donkey’s halter signed Y.I.F. So begins one of the two mysteries that run through this book.
In the midst of the approaching Christmas season, the Hollisters work out a plan to use Domingo in a special project to provide gifts for the poor children of the town. The project, centered around The Trading Post, Mr. Hollister’s sport and toy store in Shoreham, involves putting a life-sized model of Santa, his sleigh and six reindeer on the roof of the store and then filling the sleigh with gifts contributed by the people of the community.
What happens when this wonderful plan seems completely spoiled by the disappearance of the model? Could there be any connection between the notes signed Y.I.F. and the disappearance? The five children find themselves in the middle of one of their most baffling puzzles.
Here is a Happy Hollister book with not one, but two exciting mysteries along with the fun and companionship that unite this lively family.
First published in 1954, this charming mystery-adventure story, faithfully reproduced, is 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. 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. The 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.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1954
77 people are currently reading
157 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 24, 2015
This one has to be read in the context of when it was written. Otherwise you'll be wondering what in the world the kids are doing keeping a burro in their garage next to the car. Honestly, not happy about that. Poor burro.
Besides that, this is a fun Christmas story that reminds me of Christmas back when I was growing up and it was still OK to make actual Christmas decorations at school and sing Christmas Carols in public places. Somehow this time seems a lot simpler, and the kindness and good will that everyone exhibits (with the exception of the occasional bully) makes me long for times like this. As usual the Hollisters spread their own brand of good cheer by doing good within the community and yes, solving the mystery of missing decorations. Loved this book!
Besides that, this is a fun Christmas story that reminds me of Christmas back when I was growing up and it was still OK to make actual Christmas decorations at school and sing Christmas Carols in public places. Somehow this time seems a lot simpler, and the kindness and good will that everyone exhibits (with the exception of the occasional bully) makes me long for times like this. As usual the Hollisters spread their own brand of good cheer by doing good within the community and yes, solving the mystery of missing decorations. Loved this book!
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.
December 27, 2016
While buying some Christmas mysteries, I threw this title in as well. I was feeling nostalgic. I didn't expect to enjoy reading it as much as I did. From Mrs. Hollister allowing 4-year-old Sue play by herself next to a lake to the grade school pageant with a nativity scene, the Happy Hollisters speak of a simpler time and it's hard not to envy them their carefree existence. As a child I was always jealous of the Hollister children because their parents had incredible patience and willingness to take them everywhere. As an adult I question the parents' complete disregard for safety and the possibility that any parent would respond to the news that a burro was arriving the next day with "great! Where can we find a horse trailer?" and then give the burro part of the garage as a stall.
I loved this book and I am going to try not to re-read every title in the series.
I loved this book and I am going to try not to re-read every title in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2021
Happy Hollisters Trading Post Mystery #7 by Jerry West
Love that this story follows a family of siblings.
Book starts with a dedication and about the characters and how this series has been rewritten from the original.
Book also contains sketches in black and white of some scenes.
Story surrounds the family and the youngest is getting a burro/donkey. It's around Christmas time and the dad gets an idea to decorate his trading post store and the children help him with ideas.
They go with a Santa, in a sleigh and the reindeer and they put it on the roof. Customers come along and buy gifts and they are put into the big red bag to distribute to the needy kids in the area.
There are also many other things going on with the kids, visitors coming for the holiday, skits at school, donating money by doing things in town to give for the needy, tracking down the stolen items.
Love hearing all the clues and how they all come together. Never thought I'd see this story ending as it did.
Was easy for me to follow the characters and not get sidetracked, first book I've read about this series.
Can't wait to read more of the family's escapades.
Similar to the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew and Paul Moxham's series but each offer just a bit of something different.
Love that this story follows a family of siblings.
Book starts with a dedication and about the characters and how this series has been rewritten from the original.
Book also contains sketches in black and white of some scenes.
Story surrounds the family and the youngest is getting a burro/donkey. It's around Christmas time and the dad gets an idea to decorate his trading post store and the children help him with ideas.
They go with a Santa, in a sleigh and the reindeer and they put it on the roof. Customers come along and buy gifts and they are put into the big red bag to distribute to the needy kids in the area.
There are also many other things going on with the kids, visitors coming for the holiday, skits at school, donating money by doing things in town to give for the needy, tracking down the stolen items.
Love hearing all the clues and how they all come together. Never thought I'd see this story ending as it did.
Was easy for me to follow the characters and not get sidetracked, first book I've read about this series.
Can't wait to read more of the family's escapades.
Similar to the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew and Paul Moxham's series but each offer just a bit of something different.
August 11, 2020
Christmas spirit abounds in this charming story that doesn't need the 90 degree plus weather outside to charm people's hearts. It is fun to see Domingo from a previous story show up and become part of the Hollister family household.
January 24, 2018
A lovely visit with old friends. I love to go back and read books from my youth to discover that they were as good as I remember. The intelligence and manners displayed in books of this time feel a little foreign but highly welcomed.
August 23, 2014
Love this series! This vol set at Christmas time. Nice to read about Christmas pageants in school and the celebration of Christmas in the public square...before it became "politically incorrect." We read the books aloud to our son.
January 4, 2013
I loved it. It seems to be that life was so much simpler then.
June 30, 2020
i liked it
May 27, 2025
Lizzie: The book is exciting and has a lot of cliffhangers. The problem is, I don't like ending every chapter in a cliffhanger because I can't always keep reading to find out what happens.
October 18, 2023
Reading this book in particularly gives away the fact that it’s a relic of modernist views. Everything conveniently resolves. These kids don’t have to be good detectives with the amount of desire ex machina and plot armor on their side. Aside from it being children’s literature, these children face almost zero struggles. They succeed in EVERYTHING that they do. After you’ve read 2-3 stories, there’s no suspense about whether or not the Aryan poster child Pete Hollister will win at every single contest he enters regardless of experience.
The town bully is given no backstory other than he’s just a jerk. He’s just rotten-no info on whether he’s abused or neglected at home.
I read this book to a seven year old and even she thought that the mystery in this book had such ridiculously low stakes as to induce boredom. A Santa clause statue display with a sleigh full of charity gifts (left OUTSIDE, by the way) is stolen and the local police put out a seven state alert for it? Puh-lease. And this family is so stinking rich it doesn’t matter. They could easily replace all of that stuff.
In sum, it’s a fluff piece relic from the 1950s written for white kids. I read these as a poor, white American child in the early 1990/ after finding them from the public library and I was always jealous of the amazing lives of the protagonists. It’s a fantasy of the rich or upper middle class white American dream of yesteryear, complete with cultural appropriations in nearly every book. This one featured a child in black face for a school play. I need not say any more.
The town bully is given no backstory other than he’s just a jerk. He’s just rotten-no info on whether he’s abused or neglected at home.
I read this book to a seven year old and even she thought that the mystery in this book had such ridiculously low stakes as to induce boredom. A Santa clause statue display with a sleigh full of charity gifts (left OUTSIDE, by the way) is stolen and the local police put out a seven state alert for it? Puh-lease. And this family is so stinking rich it doesn’t matter. They could easily replace all of that stuff.
In sum, it’s a fluff piece relic from the 1950s written for white kids. I read these as a poor, white American child in the early 1990/ after finding them from the public library and I was always jealous of the amazing lives of the protagonists. It’s a fantasy of the rich or upper middle class white American dream of yesteryear, complete with cultural appropriations in nearly every book. This one featured a child in black face for a school play. I need not say any more.
July 25, 2021
Another interesting children's story. I went from #1 to #7 and missed some of the stories in between. But there were hints to the previous books, such as the Hollister's cousins and where they first met Domingo the burro.
This book was about the tension between Mr. Hollister's store The Trading Post and another competitive store in town. The Trading Post had a full Santa with reindeer and sleigh on the roof of the store and the owner of the other store wanted one for himself. At some point, the Santa setup was stolen and the Hollister kids take it upon themselves to try and find the thieves. A mystery also surrounds the youngest daughter, Sue, and the notes that appear on her pet burro.
I liked how all the school classes chose a different country and put on skits based on how those countries celebrated the winter holidays.
There were a few scary situations with the oldest son Pete falling through the ice, a few of the kids tipping a boat on the frozen lake, and instances where kids go missing and everyone goes in search of them. Also, that same bully in the first book, Joey, has a couple of bully buddies.
It's a nice peek into a life written for children nearly 70 years ago. I have another physical book in this series that I can read - Lizard Cove. Then I may have to read the others as ebooks. :)
This book was about the tension between Mr. Hollister's store The Trading Post and another competitive store in town. The Trading Post had a full Santa with reindeer and sleigh on the roof of the store and the owner of the other store wanted one for himself. At some point, the Santa setup was stolen and the Hollister kids take it upon themselves to try and find the thieves. A mystery also surrounds the youngest daughter, Sue, and the notes that appear on her pet burro.
I liked how all the school classes chose a different country and put on skits based on how those countries celebrated the winter holidays.
There were a few scary situations with the oldest son Pete falling through the ice, a few of the kids tipping a boat on the frozen lake, and instances where kids go missing and everyone goes in search of them. Also, that same bully in the first book, Joey, has a couple of bully buddies.
It's a nice peek into a life written for children nearly 70 years ago. I have another physical book in this series that I can read - Lizard Cove. Then I may have to read the others as ebooks. :)
September 2, 2020
Great series for little kids. It captured my imagination during my childhood, when the Hollisters were my first literary love. This one is not the most exciting book in the series, to be honest. The family doesn't travel anywhere and two mysteries were low-key, particularly the one regarding the notes signed YIF.
Reading as an adult, it was kind of weird how they received a donkey as a gift and housed it in the garage. You have to be a kid not to find that arrangement incredibly unpractical. What happened with the donkey in future books? Is it just never mentioned again? I don't remember. I'll have to keep reading to find out. Anyway, the whole thing has the charm of a simpler time.
Reading as an adult, it was kind of weird how they received a donkey as a gift and housed it in the garage. You have to be a kid not to find that arrangement incredibly unpractical. What happened with the donkey in future books? Is it just never mentioned again? I don't remember. I'll have to keep reading to find out. Anyway, the whole thing has the charm of a simpler time.
January 19, 2021
I love the Hollister series of books. They are vintage 1950s mysteries that harken back to the 1950s/
Sue has made a Christmas wish for a donkey. When the family receives a telegram to pick it up at the airport in New Mexico, Sue is elated. Soon they notice a note pinned around its neck.
How will the family use this Christmas gift to help other members of their community? What obstacles will they need to solve both mysteries?
Rollicking good fun with black and white illustrations of the period that will bring back memories to parents and grandparents and lots of questions from young readers.
This book is a good read for any age but especially for middle-grade readers.
Sue has made a Christmas wish for a donkey. When the family receives a telegram to pick it up at the airport in New Mexico, Sue is elated. Soon they notice a note pinned around its neck.
How will the family use this Christmas gift to help other members of their community? What obstacles will they need to solve both mysteries?
Rollicking good fun with black and white illustrations of the period that will bring back memories to parents and grandparents and lots of questions from young readers.
This book is a good read for any age but especially for middle-grade readers.
June 16, 2019
Once again, The Happy Hollisters !
As before, this book reminds me of a more decent time before the revolutionary "60's" destroyed the innocence I remember growing up. Once again I thank my Sister, Mimi. For introducing me to a series that will stay in my memory for all my life !
As before, this book reminds me of a more decent time before the revolutionary "60's" destroyed the innocence I remember growing up. Once again I thank my Sister, Mimi. For introducing me to a series that will stay in my memory for all my life !
January 21, 2018
Enjoyable and entertaining.
February 18, 2020
Another fun, sweet story. I'm so glad these are on Kindle Unlmited.
August 4, 2020
Another great Hollister book!
Another great mystery solved by the Hollister children! We love following along with the Hollisters who are always so kind and helpful to each other.
Another great mystery solved by the Hollister children! We love following along with the Hollisters who are always so kind and helpful to each other.
December 28, 2020
Children would enjoy.
December 5, 2021
A Christmas holiday episode with Domingo featured prominently.
tbr-1
June 25, 2022Y’all, several of these books are free on Amazon—books 1-4, 9-11. Go check them out and keep an eye on them!
(21.6.22)
(21.6.22)
February 1, 2021
This was a kid's book and was obviously quite old (first published in 1958) and very dated. Very American so I don't know how much Australian kids would understand about a "burro" (a donkey). For children around 10 to 12 I would guess.
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.
May 24, 2021
Domingo, the donkey arrives. A note is attached to the halter signed Y.I.F. A mystery develops. Christmas is coming, so the Hollister's plan is to use Domingo to deliver gifts. Then something happens.
I like this family. The kids are curious, making them exciting. It's like I know them, and get to know them better with each new story. Looking forward to the next one.
I like this family. The kids are curious, making them exciting. It's like I know them, and get to know them better with each new story. Looking forward to the next one.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews