At the Good Master's ranch, on the Hungarian plains, everything was gay and carefree for Jansci 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 of 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, Márton, tells when he returns home.

From the dust jacket