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Kate Seredy
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The Singing Tree (Newbery Library, Puffin) Paperback – Illustrated, October 1, 1990

by Kate Seredy (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 190 ratings
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A Newbery Honor Book - from the author of The White Stag

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. 

“A spontaneous, lively tale”—The New York Times 
Previous slide of product details
  1. Reading age
    8 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    256 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 7
  5. Lexile measure
    770L
  6. Dimensions
    8.25 x 4.58 x 0.68 inches
  7. Publisher
    Puffin Books
  8. Publication date
    October 1, 1990
  9. ISBN-10
    0140345434
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0140345438
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kate Seredy (1899-1975) is the Hungarian-born writer and illustrator of numerous children's books. She won the Newbery Medal, the Newbery Honor, the Caldecott Honor, and the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Puffin Books; Reissue edition (October 1, 1990)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0140345434
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140345438
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 770L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.25 x 4.58 x 0.68 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 190 ratings

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Kate Seredy

Kate Seredy

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
190 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book and find it a great read-aloud for young readers. They find the story engaging and touching, bringing the time period to life. The writing quality is beautiful, and the illustrations are gorgeous. Many consider it a rare children's book set in Hungary during World War I. The book gives a great insight into Central Europe before and during the war.

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EnjoymentStory qualityWriting qualityBook ageBeautyHistoryTone
15 customers mention "Enjoyment"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it a great read-aloud for young girls ages 5 and up, and grandchildren love it.

"...I'd recommend it as a great read-aloud book you share for any girls 5 or older...." Read more

"Not the best book that I have ever read, but it was interesting and enjoyable and very easy to read." Read more

"This book and The Good Master are hands down two of the best books we've read with our kids as a family...." Read more

"...One of his favorite books and I was so glad to find it." Read more

12 customers mention "Story quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the engaging and touching story that brings the time period to life. They find the characters, virtues, and historical themes clear with excellent development. The book keeps their attention and brings the history of World War I alive.

"...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..." Read more

"...Wonderfully written, keeps your attention, & brings the history of WWI alive...." Read more

"...Very engaging and touching story that really brings the time period to life. Highly recommend!!!!!" Read more

"...It was an entertaining account of the author's childhood in Hungary during WWI...." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing quality good and easy to read. They appreciate the gorgeous illustrations and the subject matter of war without going into graphic detail.

"...Wonderfully written, keeps your attention, & brings the history of WWI alive...." Read more

"...that I have ever read, but it was interesting and enjoyable and very easy to read." Read more

"...book treats serious subject matter (war) and shows the ugliness without getting into graphic detail...." Read more

"...missing from the book I am very disappointed because the pictures in the book are well done This is a wonderful story that I bought for my grandson" Read more

5 customers mention "Book age"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's age. They say it's a good book for 7-year-olds, a rare children's book set in World War I, and great for middle schoolers.

"The pair of books by Kate Seredy have always been my favorite childhood books...." Read more

"good book for 7 years old" Read more

"I love the children's books that are also interesting to me." Read more

"Rare children's book set in WWI..." Read more

3 customers mention "Beauty"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's beauty. They find it exciting and compelling, and describe it as Kate Seredy at her finest.

"...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..." Read more

"...'s adventures and the final story of The Singing Tree is extraordinarily beautiful." Read more

"Kate Seredy at her finest. Got this as a nostalgia gift for my son when his daughter was born. One of his favorite books and I was so glad to find it." Read more

3 customers mention "History"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the history in the book. They say it takes place in Hungary during World War I and has a more serious tone. The book provides great insight into Central Europe before and during the Great War.

"I like this little series. This one takes place during world war one and has a more serious tone...." Read more

"...It takes place in Hungary during World War I. It's a sequel to "The Good Master" , and both books deal with a way of life that died with World War II..." Read more

"...- the illustrations are gorgeous and it gives you a great insight into Central Europe before and during the Great War." Read more

3 customers mention "Tone"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's tone serious, but it also treats its subject matter with sensitivity. They find it interesting and enjoyable, though not easy to read.

"...This one takes place during world war one and has a more serious tone. The book was shipped quickly and came in a timely manner." Read more

"Not the best book that I have ever read, but it was interesting and enjoyable and very easy to read." Read more

"...This book treats serious subject matter (war) and shows the ugliness without getting into graphic detail...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • BJB
    5.0 out of 5 stars Childhood Favorite Ready to Give My Grandchildren
    Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Kit
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it since a child.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jessica
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nice sequel to The Good Master
    Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I like this little series. This one takes place during world war one and has a more serious tone. The book was shipped quickly and came in a timely manner.
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  • Lauren E. Pomerantz
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book for young readers
    Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 1998
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    26 people found this helpful
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  • tutu
    4.0 out of 5 stars enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Not the best book that I have ever read, but it was interesting and enjoyable and very easy to read.
    Helpful
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  • Mom of 2
    5.0 out of 5 stars Homeschool favorite!!!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    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!!!!!
    39 people found this helpful
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  • Totoro ro ro
    5.0 out of 5 stars Rare children's book set in WWI
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Melissa
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book and The Good Master are hands down two of the best books ...
    Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Dukester
    5.0 out of 5 stars Quality reading!
    Reviewed in Canada on April 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    Report
  • Margaret
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gift
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    1.0 out of 5 stars A very sad book
    Reviewed in France on June 7, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This book is the sequel to The Great Master. It is set at the beginning of a war and i didn’t enjoy it. Much too sad and definitely not a bed-time story for children.
    Report
  • Winfreda Donald
    5.0 out of 5 stars A story of community, inclusion - and war
    Reviewed in Australia on January 20, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    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.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on September 18, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    A heart warming book that is timeless.
    Report