J.M.J.

Jocelynn Wyzkiewicz
1017627.02
1st Quarter Book Report / 7th Grade

Title: The Singing Tree

Author: Kate Seredy
Type: Fiction
Characters: Marton Nagy, Mother Nagy, Sandor Nagy, Jancsi, Kate
Nagy, Lily Kormos

Outline:
I.
II.
III.

The Nagys had a loving family life.

People of different cultures can live in peace.
People of different backgrounds share common needs and
desires.

The Singing Tree

In the historical novel, The Singing Tree by Kate Seredy, the author
shows that a common goal among people of different nationalities and
religious beliefs is to live a peaceful life. Even when nations become
entangled in the destructive acts of the Great War in 1914, the common man
still strives for peace. Kate Nagy and her cousin Jancsi, both thirteen years
old, and their family represent the common man in Hungary who tries to live
in accord with their fellowman. In the book, the Hungarian people live
together in peace and harmony, even in wartime, as shown by the Nagys
loving family life, their ability to live and work together with people of
different cultures, and their recognition that all men are brothers.
Throughout the book, the Nagys illustrate a loving family life. The
family always discussed their daily plans during their breakfast that was
always eaten together. Jancsi and Kate spent much of their time together
horse-riding and playing together. The family supported Jancsi in becoming a
man by taking interest in his herd. The Nagys always showed great care and
concern toward each other.
The Singing Tree demonstrates that people from different cultures may
live and work together for the sake of peace and harmony. Jancsi and Kate
are Christian, but they work together with their Jewish uncle, Moses. Uncle
Moses participated in the Christian wedding, even though he was Jewish.
The Nagy family welcomed the six Russians and the seven German children

as if they were part of their own family. Living and working together for the
sake of peace and harmony is much simpler than having prejudice against
others who are different.
People of different backgrounds recognize that they share common
needs and desires with their fellow man. Kate taught Gregory how to care
for her chickens, because they both wanted to keep the chickens healthy.
Gregory and Jancsi also worked together to bring the animals back to the
barn to keep them safe. Kate helped the Russians to understand and speak
her language so they could communicate better. Everyone was willing to
work together for a common cause.
In The Singing Tree, the Nagy family represents the Hungarian people
who love their family, live and work with people of different cultures, and
realize that all men are their brothers. The Nagys always displayed great
care and concern for each other and for their guests. They lived and worked
together with others no matter what their culture was or what differences
they had. The Nagys helped their fellow man to reach common goals. The
characters in this story teach us to live in peace and harmony as brothers.