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The Happy Hollisters #28
The Happy Hollisters and the Whistle-Pig Mystery
While watching TV, Pete Hollister hears about a train robbery in New England. Masked bandits have stolen almost a million dollars in cash from a mail car! At the same time, the Hollisters receive a request from their friend, Fritz, the old woodcarver in Germany. Can the Hollisters go to a museum in nearby Foxboro and get him the dimensions of a wooden Indian called the "Settlers' Friend?" "Foxboro!" Pete exclaims. "That's where the train robbery happened today!" Naturally, the Hollister's instinct for detective work is instantly aroused. Indy Rhodes, the Pueblo Indian who works for Mr. Hollister, and his sister, Snow Flower, volunteer to take the children to the New England town. In no time at all, the Hollisters are deeply involved in tracking down the train robbers and the robbers of the Settlers' Friend which has disappeared from the museum. Ricky is accidentally kidnapped . . . Pam falls through a hole in an old covered bridge . . . a terrible hurricane engulfs them all . . . and Sue makes friends with a family of groundhogs, or "whistle-pigs," never suspecting that these little creatures will play a big part in helping the Hollisters solve both mysteries. All kinds of escapades involve the Happy Hollisters in this new suspense thriller which takes them only a short distance from home and introduces them to a lot of fascinating Americana.
184 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1964
93 people are currently reading
159 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 - 12 of 12 reviews
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.
January 30, 2018
First off, I have to say that I can't see how any reader could possibly resist a title like The Happy Hollisters and the Whistle-Pig Mystery! That much, on its own, makes the book an indispensable addition to any collection of literature! In my case, however, I was intrigued less by the offbeat title than by the chance to read yet another of the warm, friendly books about the Hollister family and the mysteries that they solve together. I've been a fan of this series for a very long time, always asking relatives to keep a lookout when they're in used book stores for titles I don't yet have. Yes, I'm sorry to say that the thirty-three books in the Happy Hollisters series are all out of print these days, but old copies aren't terribly hard to find anymore with the assistance of the internet. In my opinion, the books are worth every cent required to buy them used, as you'll be hard-pressed to find any other series that can match the pleasant humor and quirky mysteries of the Happy Hollisters stories, while also providing quality entertainment that the whole family can enjoy.
Back to The Whistle-Pig Mystery, now. When a train robbery in Foxboro, Massachusetts lights up all the news channels and the Hollister kids get the opportunity to visit that area of the state to help an old friend complete a project, they don't waste a minute hightailing it up there. Pete, age twelve, Pam, age ten, Ricky, age seven, Holly, age six and Sue, age four, are on their way to Foxboro in the care of an Indian named Indy Roades, who works for their father at his store. Indy's sister, Emmy, is coming along on the trip as well, but while the two of them are on vacation mainly to relax and have a good time, the Hollisters (especially Pete) want nothing more than to crack the case of the train robbery. The thieves escaped with almost $1 million dollars in cash, so resolving this investigation would be a major coup for the Hollisters. They've succeeded at least twenty-seven times previously, though, and mysteries seems to have a way of finding their family. I guess that when people have skills like theirs, situations just tend to arise in which those skills are needed.
As it turns out, the project that the Hollisters were going to Foxboro to complete on behalf of their friend is tied up with the train robbery in crucial ways that could prove key in tracking down the outlaws. It may take a few keen minds (maybe five of them?) that are new to the case to be able to thwart the runaway train robbers and restore the stolen money, and if I know anything, it's that the Hollisters are always up for an adventure like that.
The Happy Hollisters and the Whistle-Pig Mystery, like all of the Happy Hollisters books, provides plenty of good fun. Having spent so much time with these characters over the years, I feel as if they're old friends that have invited me back to spend some more time with their big, cheerful family, and I'd never pass up on that chance. I really, really hope that these books see a renaissance of publication again some day, so that it'll be easier for families to experience all of the fun that the Hollisters have given us for so long, and continue to give today. I recommend the series for readers of any age, and particularly to those grade-schoolers who will enjoy a good mystery story.
Back to The Whistle-Pig Mystery, now. When a train robbery in Foxboro, Massachusetts lights up all the news channels and the Hollister kids get the opportunity to visit that area of the state to help an old friend complete a project, they don't waste a minute hightailing it up there. Pete, age twelve, Pam, age ten, Ricky, age seven, Holly, age six and Sue, age four, are on their way to Foxboro in the care of an Indian named Indy Roades, who works for their father at his store. Indy's sister, Emmy, is coming along on the trip as well, but while the two of them are on vacation mainly to relax and have a good time, the Hollisters (especially Pete) want nothing more than to crack the case of the train robbery. The thieves escaped with almost $1 million dollars in cash, so resolving this investigation would be a major coup for the Hollisters. They've succeeded at least twenty-seven times previously, though, and mysteries seems to have a way of finding their family. I guess that when people have skills like theirs, situations just tend to arise in which those skills are needed.
As it turns out, the project that the Hollisters were going to Foxboro to complete on behalf of their friend is tied up with the train robbery in crucial ways that could prove key in tracking down the outlaws. It may take a few keen minds (maybe five of them?) that are new to the case to be able to thwart the runaway train robbers and restore the stolen money, and if I know anything, it's that the Hollisters are always up for an adventure like that.
The Happy Hollisters and the Whistle-Pig Mystery, like all of the Happy Hollisters books, provides plenty of good fun. Having spent so much time with these characters over the years, I feel as if they're old friends that have invited me back to spend some more time with their big, cheerful family, and I'd never pass up on that chance. I really, really hope that these books see a renaissance of publication again some day, so that it'll be easier for families to experience all of the fun that the Hollisters have given us for so long, and continue to give today. I recommend the series for readers of any age, and particularly to those grade-schoolers who will enjoy a good mystery story.
July 25, 2019
So fun, so different. A tale of smart children solving mysteries and having adventures.
May 4, 2021
The Happy Hollisters and the Whistle-Pig Mystery (Happy Hollisters, #28)
Like how this one starts out because I live near Foxboro where the main mysteries are located and the children and the clerk at their father's store will bring the kids and his sister to help find the wooden Indian statue.
Also a train had a robbery in the area that they hope to help solve also.
We also have ground hogs or woodchucks in our yard so interested how that end of things go...
Love description of the museum area as it also offers watching others do their jobs: blacksmiths, quilters etc. Love the signature square quilt my mother and myself have made them for ourselves.
Kids also find clues about the train robbers, not sure how they do it all the time but they do. Love the sketches.
Like how this one starts out because I live near Foxboro where the main mysteries are located and the children and the clerk at their father's store will bring the kids and his sister to help find the wooden Indian statue.
Also a train had a robbery in the area that they hope to help solve also.
We also have ground hogs or woodchucks in our yard so interested how that end of things go...
Love description of the museum area as it also offers watching others do their jobs: blacksmiths, quilters etc. Love the signature square quilt my mother and myself have made them for ourselves.
Kids also find clues about the train robbers, not sure how they do it all the time but they do. Love the sketches.
August 2, 2013
A wonderful read and a blast from the past to boot. I also enjoyed some of the built in stereotype busting vis a vis the kids perception of American Indians.
May 19, 2019
Love these books
As a child I read all 33 of the Happy Hollisters books,and loved every one of them.
The language is dated, the premises improbable, but every page is an adventure!
As a child I read all 33 of the Happy Hollisters books,and loved every one of them.
The language is dated, the premises improbable, but every page is an adventure!
August 11, 2019
While watching TV Pete Hollister hears about a train robbery in New England. Masked bandits have stolen almost a million dollars in cash from a mail car!
At the same time, the Hollisters receive a request from their friend, Fritz, the old woodcarver in Germany. Can the Hollisters go to a museum in nearby Foxboro and get him the dimensions of a wooden Indian called the "Settlers' Friend?"
"Foxboro!" Pete exclaims. "That's where the train robbery happened today!" Naturally, the Hollisters' instinct for detective work is instantly aroused.
Indy Rhodes, the Pueblo Indian who works for Mr. Hollister, and his sister, Snow Flower, volunteer to take the children to the New England town. In no time at all, the Hollisters are deeply involved in tracking down the train robbers and the robbers of the Settlers' Friend which has disappeared from the museum.
Ricky is accidentally kidnapped... Pam falls through a hole in an old covered bridge... a terrible hurricane engulfs them all... and Sue makes friends with a family of groundhogs, or "whistle-pigs," never suspecting that these little creatures will play a big part in helping the Hollisters solve both mysteries.
All kinds of escapades involve the Happy Hollisters in this new suspense thriller which takes them only a short distance from home and introduces them to a lot of fascinating Americana.
At the same time, the Hollisters receive a request from their friend, Fritz, the old woodcarver in Germany. Can the Hollisters go to a museum in nearby Foxboro and get him the dimensions of a wooden Indian called the "Settlers' Friend?"
"Foxboro!" Pete exclaims. "That's where the train robbery happened today!" Naturally, the Hollisters' instinct for detective work is instantly aroused.
Indy Rhodes, the Pueblo Indian who works for Mr. Hollister, and his sister, Snow Flower, volunteer to take the children to the New England town. In no time at all, the Hollisters are deeply involved in tracking down the train robbers and the robbers of the Settlers' Friend which has disappeared from the museum.
Ricky is accidentally kidnapped... Pam falls through a hole in an old covered bridge... a terrible hurricane engulfs them all... and Sue makes friends with a family of groundhogs, or "whistle-pigs," never suspecting that these little creatures will play a big part in helping the Hollisters solve both mysteries.
All kinds of escapades involve the Happy Hollisters in this new suspense thriller which takes them only a short distance from home and introduces them to a lot of fascinating Americana.
June 5, 2019
Good Juvenile
The children were allowed to go places no minor would be permitted these days and were allowed to wander off on their own. Wouldn’t happen so easily today but an interesting look back.
The children were allowed to go places no minor would be permitted these days and were allowed to wander off on their own. Wouldn’t happen so easily today but an interesting look back.
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.
October 24, 2011
The happy hollisters get caught in a flood.Indy and Emmy (Indys sister)
are with them.Indy works at the Trading Post.The funniest part is when their car gets stock.Holly mud splaters evreone.When Sue sees them she
gets scared.She is with Emmy.
are with them.Indy works at the Trading Post.The funniest part is when their car gets stock.Holly mud splaters evreone.When Sue sees them she
gets scared.She is with Emmy.
September 29, 2024
Relived my childhood for half a day. It's amazing how unsupervised these kids were compared to nowadays. Always getting into accidents, fighting with criminals, and the adults simply encourage them to keep snooping around!
April 25, 2013
They are the happiest detectives I've ever seen.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews