Thanksgiving at the Inn

by Tim Whitney

Book Overview

There was a time when all was right in Taylor Dresden s world that is, as long as she was on the baseball diamond, pitching with all her heart.But that was years ago.Now, as she heads toward her... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1610880080
• ISBN13: 9781610880084
• Release Date: October 2009
• Publisher: Bancroft Press
• Length: 223 Pages
• Weight: 0.83 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 14 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 9 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

A doozie of a novel

Heath Wellington the III is a confused and sad child with an embittered father who is fighting his own demons of alcoholism, rejection by his former wife and alienation from his own father. The cast of characters who teach Heath III how to understand his father reconcile with his father and Heath Junior to cope with his, are finely drawn and unforgettable. I strongly recommend this novel and look forward to Tim Whitney's next one. Diana Hockley

Thanksgiving at the Inn

One of the best books I've read from a new author. The characters and their quirks added realism to the story. I really enjoyed Sally and Preacher, actually I enjoyed them all!!! The book gave us the good and bad times that happen to us all in real life. I would definitly recommend this book for teens and adults alike. I feel that Tim Whitney has written an excellent story and I look forward to his next book. Y. Taylor

Perfect Thanksgiving Classic

This book is a Movie waiting to happen! Just as the Christmas Story is to Christmas, this story is to Thanksgiving. What a wonderful family drama suitable for anyone 9-99 to read. Well written. Easy to read and follow. Colorful characters all with their own lessons and journeys all intertwined with one another to create this heart warming story. I seriously would love to see this on the big screen for families and all ages to enjoy pre Thanksgiving.....or anytime throughout the year to remind us all the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

THANKSGIVING AT THE INN tells the story of three generations of Heath Wellingtons: Senior, Junior, and Heath III. Heath and his father, Junior, are living a hand-to-mouth life in New Jersey when they receive word that Senior has died. With Heath suspended from school and Junior trying to write a novel, Heath is disheartened by the harsh way his father treats him. The two head for the Sleeping Inn, the Wellington home turned bed-and-breakfast, to attend the funeral and hear the reading of the will. What awaits them is an Inn filled with a collection of misfits that Senior has "collected" over the years and tried to help. A rough relationship between Junior and Senior led Senior to will Junior the Inn with several conditions. Junior does not want to abide by those stipulations; he wants only the money to pay the bills while he writes a novel. Full of quirky characters, the "Inn-habitants" become the supportive and loving family that Heath has missed since his mother left them. A Jamaican preacher, a tattooed mechanic, and an eccentric old woman hold the power to turn the Inn and the money over to Junior if he follows the terms of the will to their satisfaction. THANKSGIVING AT THE INN is a story that young-adult boy readers will be able to identify with. Heath is a kid in trouble at school and home. His father is hard on him without reason. Heath must learn that he doesn't know everything about his father. Maybe his father's reasons for living his life the way he does, while not always right, can be understood. It takes losing the grandfather that he never knew for Heath to be able to connect with his father. Reviewed by: Kelley Burrow

A must read!! Excellent and heartwarming story!

In all honesty, I'm not really sure where to begin with this review, and I don't mean that in a bad way. I loved and adored every aspect and each character in Thanksgiving at the Inn. Geared toward middle school aged readers, I wholeheartedly believe that this is a story for adults as well. While reading Thanksgiving at the Inn, I was reminded, repeatedly, of the style of writing of Richard Paul Evans. This is actually saying quite a bit on my part, considering that Richard Paul Evans is one of my favorite authors, who never ceases to touch my heart. Tim Whitney is most definitely in that league, in my opinion. His story, Thanksgiving at the Inn, touches the heart, quickly engulfs the reader within the story and in the end delivers a very valuable lesson that everyone should remember. This is also a story that is not easily forgotten and will remain with the reader, long after the final word is read. Young Heath Wellington III has not had an easy time of it. His mother left a while ago, his father isn't the nicest, nor happiest of people, and now Heath has been suspended from school for cheating - which he did not do. Life just seems to continue to throw curve balls to Heath. When the sudden and tragic death of his estranged Grandfather, Heath Senior, occurs, Heath and his father travel to Whately, Massachusetts to fulfill the requirements of Senior's will - to successfully manage Senior's Bed and Breakfast, The Sleeping Inn, for the next three months. This includes cleaning up and caring for the property as well as the occupants, four very different, but wonderful people. Each person has their own tragic story, however each has also learned the important lesson of being thankful for what they have and the second chances they have been given. Winsted, Mustang Sally, Carter and Mrs. Ferrel quickly embrace Heath, and he them, providing that family feeling that he has been so lacking. Heath and his father are like two bulls, constantly butting heads. His father constantly lashing Heath with verbal abuse. When Heath saves a young autistic girl from certain death, his father becomes eruptively enraged. This leads to a tragic accident that changes both their lives forever. Mr. Whitney does such a fantastic job bringing his characters to life and really making the reader care deeply for them. Heath is an exceptional young man whom I adored. His personality and strength are beyond admirable and to be commended, especially considering all that he has been through and has to deal with on a day-to-day basis. Winsted, the Jamaican resident of the house, is brutally wise and honest and such a delight to get to know. He is the chef of the house and seemingly the most in charge of everything that takes place. The other character that I really loved was Mustang Sally. This is a big, buff, tattooed man who has a heart of gold. Each and every character is fabulous, in their own way, and play an equally important role within Thanksgiving at the Inn (Yes, even th