Other editions of book Singing Tree

A Newbery Honor Book - from the author of The White StagLife on the Hungarian plains is changing quickly for Jancsi and his cousin Kate. Father has given Jancsi permission to be in charge of his own herd, and Kate has begun to think about going to dances. Jancsi hardly even recognizes Kate when she appears at Peter and Mari’s wedding wearing nearly as many petticoats as the older girls wear. And Jancsi himself, astride his prized horse, doesn’t seem to Kate to be quite so boyish anymore. Then, when Hungary must send troops to fight in the Great War and Jancsi’s father is called to battle, the two cousins must grow up all the sooner in order to take care of the farm and all the relatives, Russian soldiers, and German war orphans who take refuge there. “A spontaneous, lively tale”—The New York Times

Life on the Hungarian plains is changing quickly for Jancsi and his cousin Kate. Father has given Jancsi permission to be in charge of his own herd, and Kate has begun to think about going to dances. Jancsi hardly even recognizes Kate when she appears at Peter and Mari's wedding wearing nearly as many petticoats as the older girls wear. And Jancsi himself, astride his prized horse, doesn't seem to Kate to be quite so boyish anymore. Then, when Hungary must send troops to fight in the Great War and Jancsi's father is called to battle, the two cousins must grow up all the sooner in order to take care of the farm and all the relatives, Russian soldiers, and German war orphans who take refuge there.

At the Good Master's ranch, on the Hungarian plains, everything was gay and carefree for Jancsi and his cousin Kate. The whole countryside turned out for the colorful folk-festivals and weddings; the bees droned among the acacia blossoms by old Uncle Moses' store in the village. Then the Great War came, and all this jollity was suddenly gone. The women and children were left in charge. For two years Jancsi was the Master on the Nagy ranch, the haven of relatives and prisoners and refugee children, and his mother and Kate held this world together. It is a beautiful and stirring story. Young people will take it to their hearts, for it is truly their book. It sings like the Singing Tree itself, full of birds greeting the dawn, of which Kate's uncle, Marton, tells when he returns home.