Song of the Brook - A Beka Reading Book

Maple Tree Trilogy #2

by Matilda Nordtvedt

The Johnson family move from their Minnesota farm to a rural town in the state of Washington.

Genres: Middle Grade, Historical, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, School, Fiction, Childrens

124 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Matilda Nordtvedt was an American author born in Washington state in 1926. She also lived for a time during her childhood in Canada.
After her marriage, Matilda also lived in Japan. She was an accomplished pianist, spoke fluent Japanese and was known for her writing and public speaking. Children were enthralled with her storytelling. She published 30 books and over 1,800 articles in various publications. She also read countless books to her sons instilling a love for reading also passing that passion on to her grandchildren. Throughout her ministry, innumerable children, students, foreign students and parishioners enjoyed her gracious hospitality, enjoying her gifts of cooking and baking. She welcomed all who dropped in.

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Song of the Brook is still my favorite of the Nordtvedt stories for 3-4th grade readers. Reading this book brought to mind memories of my own Norwegian grandmother and the stories she would tell. The other charm I feel every time I read it is remembering brand new students who came to me following a move from Washington to Minnesota. In the story, Hilda traveled from Minnesota to Washington. I can still remember connecting with those students sharing details of the Pacific Northwest as it is today with how it is portrayed in the book.

Beyond those very personal recollections, I adore teaching this novel as it presents a young follower of Christ and her family being faced with the kind of problems we run into every day: jealousy, loss, fear and shows a warm, loving family that turns to the Word of God for answers in the midst of it all. My students find Hilda and her inner view very relatable. They long to find hidden brooks of their own to listen to outside of their own windows. They find awe and wonder in the caterpillar that metamorphoses into a butterfly. They even share Hilda's sorrow and hope with Bestafar, honorary grandfather to all the children in the family, not just his own by blood. Some have even taken to writing poetry as Hilda is also inspired to try her hand at verses. It's just that good.

*Note: as is common to Abeka's curriculum, some emphasis is placed on decision theology in this novel. They push hard at this age because they believe children must make a rational decision to believe in Christ around 3-4th grade. We actually use that as a teaching point to stress the role the Holy Spirit plays in conversion and how we cannot choose to believe on our own.

[Kay Speight · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the very first book I read after learning how to read. My father was the one who bought me books and encouraged me to read. This book is so memorable ♡

[Kaley Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sequel to Secret of the Maple Tree, this story was a fine addition to the series, growing in vocabulary and comprehension of the next reading level and growing in plot lines of the next learning level. I remember feeling so connected to the main character as they moved from one place to another (as I had also recently moved during the time) and the realization of social classes at a young age.

But it also pressed in to show how things and materials of this world don’t mean a thing in the end. They will fade and we’ll still find ourselves empty. If we don’t fill our hearts with God, we’ll never be satisfied. I’m honored to have learned that lesson from this book at my young age of 10-11 years old.

I loved this story so much more than the original, especially being able to see more character in “Mama” and her son. I used to have the book somewhere, so I’m hoping I can find it and give it a re-read for nostalgia.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I read this in 2013 for the first time. I was addicted to Secret In The Maple Tree; and when I found out it was a series, I wanted to continue.

This book is a good sequel but it doesn’t feel as warm as the first book in this series. The first book is always gonna have my heart, the whole series will honestly. But the first book is on a pedestal that this one (and maybe the third one) can’t top.

[Carolyn Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fond memories of reading this while I was growing up!

[ANESHIA THOMPSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book

[Salem Peru · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is awesome

[Sarah]

another class book. didn't like!!

[Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because one of my students had to do a book report. It was a nice thought provoking story about family and envy.