This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Now 61 years old, Fred Whitman has been a lot of things in his lifetime - a Swim Team Coach, a Dentist, a Teacher, a Sculptor and now an Author. A teaching position in San Francisco plopped Whitman down in the heart of one of the richest music centers in the world, and he took advantage. That life-long love of music, especially the magic of witnessing live performances, is evident throughout The Ghost of Saddle Mountain.
Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite
Hoot Hart is a 12-year-old boy who enjoys exploring the woods and open lands around his home out in the country in The Ghost of Saddle Mountain by Fred Whitman. Not part of any group at school, Hoot is at home in nature and loves to research everything he encounters. His excitement at discovering new things takes on a whole new meaning when a spirit speaks to Hoot and asks for his help. The Ghost of Saddle Mountain details the events of over a span of 100 years in the small California town of Miners Glen. In the late 1800s, gypsies lived in the clearing where Hoot hears the voice of the spirit, but they left after someone from town burned down their camp, killing one of the men. It is Hoot’s job to find out who the dead man was and to learn about himself in the process. Will his know-it-all older sister let people think he is really an idiot, or will the school bully take care of Hoot’s curiosity? With help from his grandfather and his friends, who had a somewhat successful rock band back in the '60s and '70s, and the support of his mother and, reluctantly, his sister, Hoot embarks on the greatest investigation he will ever undertake and what he discovers is absolutely amazing.
Fred Whitman has created a truly remarkable book that incorporates plenty of action, emotion and paranormal activity while promoting free thinking, having interests outside of the stereotypical, and developing a love for family history as well as current relationships. This is an amazing book that should excite even the most reluctant reader! I'm well past grade school and loved every page. The mystery, family dynamics, history and interaction of all the elements make for the perfect blend. Well done! The Ghost of Saddle Mountain is extremely well written with lots of background on the San Francisco music scene and the plight of the Roma, and truly highlights the struggle to follow one’s dreams.
