The Singing Tree (Newbery Library, Puffin)

The pair of books by Kate Seredy have always been my favorite childhood books. As my oldest grand-daughter is turning 8, I remembered these books suddenly for the magical story in the first book, "The Good Master" and the sequel, "The Singing Tree". As I am an artist, the quality of the author's illustrations add much to the stories. I have to believe that reading these two books and savoring the illustrations contributed greatly to my love of reading and of art. While the rural life in Europe long ago may seem hard to imagine for a young child in today's world, the beautiful, exciting and compelling stories in the books will make a faraway place and time come alive. Some children enjoy fantasy novels and this one is more like historical fiction of the best rank, although they may view it as fantasy. These books are told through the experience of "real children", no different than young children these days in their wonder, little dramas, struggle to grow and their feelings. I would recommend this book and the first one particularly for any girl aged 8 or older to read by herself. I'd recommend it as a great read-aloud book you share for any girls 5 or older. It is a joy to re-read myself, about 50 years after I first discovered them.

Homeschool FAVORITE!!!! I have a boy (10) and a girl (13) and of the MANY books we have read over the years as we homeschool this one stands out as one of their favorites!!!! While studying WWI, my daughter asked for some living books from the time period to add to our studies as that helps her relate to and learn about each time period. I found many living books for WWII but it was not as easy to find living books about WWI. Found this one as well as Nesthakchen and both ended up being family favorites!!! My daughter has actually said that The Singing Tree is one of her FAVORITE books EVER and she reads A LOT of books!!! Very engaging and touching story that really brings the time period to life. Highly recommend!!!!!

Delightful book! My children read The Good Master in 5th grade and this book is the sequel. We love them both!

This is the second book, following The Good Master. My children read this for their homeschool coop while studying WWI. It was an entertaining account of the author's childhood in Hungary during WWI. The children enjoyed hearing of Kate and Jancsi's adventures and the final story of The Singing Tree is extraordinarily beautiful.

The Kindle version of this book is a scam and Amazon is trying to make me jump through hoops to get a refund. Do not buy!

This book, along with its prequel, The Good Master, is based on Seredy's childhood in Hungary. The Singing Tree opens with a traditional Hungarian wedding ceremony. Riding home from the wagon, Kate overhears the news that Francis Ferdinand has been shot. Hungary is soon plunged into the war. Kate's father and uncle become soldiers, along with the new groom and three of the village shopkeeper's sons. The Nagy farm is soon full of "refugees:" the new bride, six Russian prisoners to do field work, six German children escaping ravaged Berlin, Kate's grandparents, and a daughter of a judge who starts off as spoiled as Kate once was and is quickly reformed by firm Nagy love. The Singing Tree contains a message of peace and hope, but it does deal, however gently, with racism and prejudice and the death and injury and madness that war causes. Children who have read The Good Master should probably wait a year before reading The Singing Tree.

My grandparents got me this book when I was 10 & I've always loved it. Wonderfully written, keeps your attention, & brings the history of WWI alive. I could relate to so many things in the young girl & boys relate easily to her brother. Being 1/2 Hungarian, I also enjoyed learning about life "in the old country" @ about the time my grandparents left there. I'm happy to have found it so I can pass it on to my grandchildren. The book arrived very quickly & in excellent condition. I also appreciate the tracking so I'm not left wondering if it's shipped, etc.

This book and The Good Master are hands down two of the best books we've read with our kids as a family. This book treats serious subject matter (war) and shows the ugliness without getting into graphic detail. It is an easy book to read, but the writing is also very beautiful. A wonderful book.

This book was sent to me by grandparents in 1944 and I have read it many times since. Set in Hungary prior to and during WWI, the story tells of the resilience and simplicity of a Hungarian family in a rural community whose generations are drawn unwillingly but proudly into war, leaving the young to manage the farms and grow to early maturity. The tales of shared sadnesses and joys across the local communities and those who have been accepted from other places is uplifting in our current times of division. An often emotional read.The illustrations by the author are stunning.

The Singing Tree is a sequel to The Good Master. I bought both for a young friend on the recommendation of my grandkids who loved them. My young friend did, too. Both are excellent books! I highly recommend them.

This was a book I used to own as a child and had been trying to obtain a copy for a child who had a Hungarian mother and English father. I was so pleased to be able to obtain a copy. The child’s father decided to read the book and phoned me expressing great enthusiasm. I shall probably at some point want to buy further copied, as I cannot find my childhood copy.

This continuation of "The Good Master" , one of my favourite books, is fascinating. Telling the sad story of the beginning of the First World War and the years that followed, I was deeply impressed. Our grand-daughter is being taught about this era at school, and after I had finished it, I lent it to her because it seemed to give a new view on life on the other side during that time. Well worth reading.

Great story that takes place in Hungary at the beginning of WW1. Used in our homeschool and became a book we talked lots about afterwards.