First are the trees behind the house…. [They] are the joy of young Cassie's life—trunks to hug, leaves that sing, branches that protect. With such a forest, a girl can feel rich even though this is the Depression and money is scarce, particularly in Mississippi for black people. Cassie's father has to go clear to Louisiana to find work, and sometimes when he sends money home it is taken from the envelope before the family gets it. Still, no matter what happens, the trees sing the...

Song of the Trees is so beautifully told, the prose rings poetry…. The children are charming, disarming, personal, and not too private in their love and appreciation for the "sharp-needled pines," the "shaggy-bark hickories," and the "sweet alligator gum trees" which tower helplessly on "Big Ma's" land. They forebodingly await their devastation with their song quieted in an implied anticipation of their destruction.

The dedication of [Song of the Trees]—thirteen lines which end "To my grandparents … who bridged the generations between slavery and freedom; and To the Family, who fought and survived"—immediately sets the tone of black pride that permeates every page…. [The] book is almost written to formula: Blacks encounter evil whites who attempt to rob them of their possessions and dignity, but a strong, black man counteracts with force. But what could have been a banal, trite...

In a depression-era story based on an incident in the author's family history [Song of the Trees], a confrontation between a mercenary white man and a black man guarding his property is taut with drama…. The writing style is fairly brisk, verging on the poetic whenever Cassie speaks of her beloved trees; the characterization of the children is minimal, while that of the adults is stronger; the plot is nicely constructed for the length of the story. Zena Sutherland, "New Tit...

"A natural writer" is an overused expression I don't particularly like, but in speaking of Mildred Taylor it seems absolutely appropriate. Mildred's words flow smoothly, effortlessly, it seems, and they abound in richness, harmony, and rhythm. Her stories unfold in a full, leisurely way, well suited to and evocative of her Southern settings. Her ability to bring her characters to life and to involve her readers is remarkable. In short, Mildred is one of the few people of whom I h...

The confrontation [between the Logan family and the white work crew in Song of the Trees] symbolizes much of the history of Black struggle—economic defenselessness, the Black man's dramatic bravery in the face of white power, a child forced to assume adult responsibility and the children's fears in threatening situations…. [This] story will be enjoyed by young readers.