What do you think?
Rate this book
The Happy Hollisters #26
Los Hollister en la isla de las tortugas
One day Peter and Pam Hollister rescued at Seminole Indian named Charlie Tiger Tail from drowning in Pine Lake. But they never dreamed that their heroic act would lead to a new, exciting mystery and a vacation in Florida. Within a few days, all the Hollisters were enjoying the beach at Turtle Point in the Everglades. And they were eager to help Charlie catch a gang of thieves who were illegally killing giant sea turtles and stealing their eggs! After Holly found a poacher's spear, Ricky and Pete patrolled the beach one night and almost trapped the poachers. With Charlie's ten-year-old daughter, Clementine, the children rowed to mysterious Captive Island to investigate the eerie sounds coming from there each night. They inspected a great Mississippi riverboat that had been towed up on land and turned into a huge mansion. And they visited Clementine's grandmother in a Seminole village where the boys learned how to pole a real dugout canoe. There were many more thrilling adventures -- including Ricky's capture by the thieves -- before the Hollisters finally traced the poachers to their hideout and solved the sea turtle mystery.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1964
90 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Jerry West
92 books52 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 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.
April 30, 2021
The Happy Hollisters and the Sea Turtle Mystery (Happy Hollisters, #26)
This story starts out with the airboat at their lake. There are problems and the kids and their dad help Charlie fix it as they learn more about his area in FL.
He's a Seminole Indian and he lives there with his daughter and other relatives.
As the family journey there they also realize Joey is there visiting friends and he gets them into trouble, as usual.
So many educational things I enjoyed learning about: the huge sea turtles and the seashell and their names.
So many scary parts also and sketches help to tell the story.
Can't wait to find out what other mysteries they will uncover...
This story starts out with the airboat at their lake. There are problems and the kids and their dad help Charlie fix it as they learn more about his area in FL.
He's a Seminole Indian and he lives there with his daughter and other relatives.
As the family journey there they also realize Joey is there visiting friends and he gets them into trouble, as usual.
So many educational things I enjoyed learning about: the huge sea turtles and the seashell and their names.
So many scary parts also and sketches help to tell the story.
Can't wait to find out what other mysteries they will uncover...
March 12, 2019
The Happy Hollisters and the Sea Turtle Mystery
The Hollister children always manage to find adventure or it finds them, but either way working together they exhibit strong filial bonds.
I plan to start my four-year-old granddaughter reading each of these books in the next six months because not only are the children in these books good examples for her to follow, we can also use her own good actions to reinforce what she exhibits in her own good behavior right now.
These books also have lessons in other facets of learning like geography, inventions and creativity, working as a team and the list goes on.
And one final recommendation to the older generations, I love reading them to escape the boredom of television reruns, housework, running errands and all the minutiae of life in 2019.
The Hollister children always manage to find adventure or it finds them, but either way working together they exhibit strong filial bonds.
I plan to start my four-year-old granddaughter reading each of these books in the next six months because not only are the children in these books good examples for her to follow, we can also use her own good actions to reinforce what she exhibits in her own good behavior right now.
These books also have lessons in other facets of learning like geography, inventions and creativity, working as a team and the list goes on.
And one final recommendation to the older generations, I love reading them to escape the boredom of television reruns, housework, running errands and all the minutiae of life in 2019.
March 15, 2019
They did it again
The Holisters won again, as I expected, and our
I’ve made it a practice to pre-read anything I read to my granddaughter. We’ve read several of the Happy Holisters series so I decided to live on the edge and didn’t bother this time. Guess what! No problem! LOL
Actually it turned out to yield a good discussion. I enjoy reading and want her to “be a reader” but it’s been an uphill trail. I just learned that she doesn’t care for the “kid’s books” that I require her to read ... so from here on, it’s chapter-books, but I’m still going to read some chapters —- what a devious Grampa.
The Holisters won again, as I expected, and our
I’ve made it a practice to pre-read anything I read to my granddaughter. We’ve read several of the Happy Holisters series so I decided to live on the edge and didn’t bother this time. Guess what! No problem! LOL
Actually it turned out to yield a good discussion. I enjoy reading and want her to “be a reader” but it’s been an uphill trail. I just learned that she doesn’t care for the “kid’s books” that I require her to read ... so from here on, it’s chapter-books, but I’m still going to read some chapters —- what a devious Grampa.
March 19, 2019
Great for young readers
Similar to Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, the Happy Hollisters are another great series of mysteries. The Sea Turtle Mystery, Vol. 26 was fun to read with all of the twists and turns in the story. The whole family and their new friends work together to solve the mysteries that keep popping up on the family's vacation in Florida. This is a great book for children who are ready for books with chapters or for reading to your children in the evening (but not bedtime) one chapter at a time. I really think they will love it and I highly recommend it.
Similar to Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, the Happy Hollisters are another great series of mysteries. The Sea Turtle Mystery, Vol. 26 was fun to read with all of the twists and turns in the story. The whole family and their new friends work together to solve the mysteries that keep popping up on the family's vacation in Florida. This is a great book for children who are ready for books with chapters or for reading to your children in the evening (but not bedtime) one chapter at a time. I really think they will love it and I highly recommend it.
June 22, 2019
Fun Facts But Story Solely for Children
I gave this four stars because I can see a younger me really enjoying this series. As an adult, it has a lot to be desired plot-wise. Some of the scenes felt like a device forcing the plot to go forward. However, it is a clean story that inspires curiosity, and there was lots to learn about shells from Florida, Seminole Indians, and sea turtles. If a story can teach fun facts, I am almost always for it.
I gave this four stars because I can see a younger me really enjoying this series. As an adult, it has a lot to be desired plot-wise. Some of the scenes felt like a device forcing the plot to go forward. However, it is a clean story that inspires curiosity, and there was lots to learn about shells from Florida, Seminole Indians, and sea turtles. If a story can teach fun facts, I am almost always for it.
October 22, 2025
a very pleasant story with all that a block buster needs
I enjoy all of Jerry West AKA Andrew E. Stevenson’s books this one has a lovely story line that spoke to me though it can sometimes bring me down that my life is not perfect in comparison to the hollisters
I enjoy all of Jerry West AKA Andrew E. Stevenson’s books this one has a lovely story line that spoke to me though it can sometimes bring me down that my life is not perfect in comparison to the hollisters
March 12, 2019
It is great. I may be older and am a little startled at how often their parents can get off work, but I don't care. I love this series.
March 22, 2019
Excellent
My children love to read and I am so happy that there are books like this one out there that I can read to them.
My children love to read and I am so happy that there are books like this one out there that I can read to them.
May 5, 2019
Rage happy holisters and the sea turtle mystery
I really enjoyed reading this book . A great mystery story for children ready for chapter books. A good read
I really enjoyed reading this book . A great mystery story for children ready for chapter books. A good read
March 11, 2019
Enjoyable
Cute adventure story with a family of 5 happy children with new and old friends. Old fashioned maybe, idealized not realistic but clean and good reading.
Cute adventure story with a family of 5 happy children with new and old friends. Old fashioned maybe, idealized not realistic but clean and good reading.
July 22, 2019
This Happy Hollisters book inspired my big girls (ages 3 and 5) to become interested in the Everglades, chickees, snoring frogs, air boats, and alligators. The writing is very straightforward and the plot is predictable, but it definitely sparked their imaginations and got them to explore topics they would never have considered otherwise.
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.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews