Review: Summer of the Tree Army

Summer of the Tree Army
Author: Gloria Whelan
Illustrator: Kirbi Fagan
Sleeping Bear Press
Ages 4-8

An interesting story about an important but not-talked-about-enough time in history, Summer of the Tree Army is well told, and beautifully illustrated.

Charlie is very much at home in the woods around his northern Michigan home, but the barracks he finds one day take him by surprise. His father explains that they will be home to President Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps, and while Charlie’s mom is sympathetic to the young men, his dad thinks the program is a waste of time. However, a disaster in the forest places Charlie in danger, and forces Charlie’s dad to change his mind.

An interesting story about an important but not-talked-about-enough time in history, Summer of the Tree Army is well told, and beautifully illustrated.

The Author’s Note provides historical context and explains why the subject matter mattered. Adult readers will love learning why the CCC was important to the author, and adults and children alike may be inspired to learn more. Don’t pick this up just because it’s a work of historical fiction – Summer of the Tree Army is also a sweet story of two boys’ friendship, and the power of experience to open a closed mind.



Summer of the Tree Army (Support an Independent Bookstore)*
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More books for this Age Group can be found here.

My thanks to Sleeping Bear Press for providing a Review Copy of this book. All opinions provided herein are my own.

Please, leave comments! I love a HEALTHY exchange of ideas. After all, critical thinking is essential to life.

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