Secret in the Maple Tree - Review

Last year Laura read the book Secret in the Maple Tree by Matilda Nordtvedt.  This is a third grade novel from Abeka.  I picked up the book at a used book store with some other Abeka readers.  Laura read the book, but we never really got deeply involved in the story.

This year I ordered Song of the Brook from Abeka, which is the second in the series of three.  Song of the Brook is a fourth grade novel.  However, I decided to have Laura re-read Secret in the Maple Tree first to refresh the characters in her mind before we began Song of the Brook.

This year was different with the book.  The copy of Secret in the Maple Tree that I have is a Teacher's Edition from 1988.  In the front are all sorts of suggestions and skills to cover.  I used nearly every one of them.  This year I had Laura look up every word that was listed in the glossary before she encountered it in the chapter.  I did this to improve her dictionary and research skills, but she told me later that it really helped her in understanding the story more.  She also is a year older, so the story had more of an impact on her without being too babyish.  I guess that goes to show that reading levels aren't always what they are cracked up to be.    Laura also answered all the comprehension questions and wrote the short story suggestions that went along with her reading.

I can honestly say that this was an awesome experience.  She wants to begin Song of the Brook, but I won't let her until after Christmas Break.  The fact that she is anxious to start a book with the same characters is a good indication that Matilda Nordtvedt's story is captivating.  The young girl in the novel, Hilda, touches the heart of the readers.   I think Laura felt an affinity with Hilda's faith in God and the lessons she learned.

This book is filled with character building themes and strong Christian values.    The theme of the book is about learning to happily accept the changes that God sends.  Many changes happened in young Hilda's life in the course of the book.    Some of these changes were very difficult for her to accept, but she learned how to turn to God and talk to him about those changes.  She learned that God may say no, but that he has a better plan.  Learning to trust God for the changes that happen is a lesson I see so many struggle with.  To have an example in this book for my daughter (and even for me) to see is wonderful.