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When the Sergeant Came Marching Home
by
Don Lemna
Ten-year-old Donald is miserable now that his father, the Sergeant, has returned home from World War II and moved the family to a farm in rural Montana, miles away from Wistola. Horrified at the lack of modern conveniences (their ramshackle house has neither electricity nor indoor plumbing) and angry at the Sergeant, Donald secretly plans to run away to Hollywood. However,...more
Paperback, 215 pages
Published
November 15th 2008
by Holiday House
(first published 2008)
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Gr 4–6—Ten-year-old Donald is miserable now that his father, the Sergeant, has returned home from World War II and moved the family to a farm in rural Montana, miles away from Wistola. Horrified at the lack of modern conveniences (their ramshackle house has neither electricity nor indoor plumbing) and angry at the Sergeant, Donald secretly plans to run away to Hollywood. However, as time passes, he and his younger brother begin to enjoy country living, riding their elderly horse, skating and pla...more
When their dad (the Sergeant) came home from WWII, he moved his family out to a farm. 10-year-old Donald is not happy about it, but his little brother is excited because there will be chickens and ducks. Donald plans to save up ten dollars so he can run away to Hollywood, but in the meantime there are a lot of new experiences to be had in a small town in the middle of nowhere.
A cross between Richard Peck and Patrick McManus, Don Lemna writes a moving story about a young boy whose life turns upside down when his father returns from the war and whisks the family away from the "city" to make a go at farming. Donald, the young boy, decides he's going to run away as soon as he saves enough money because his dad, the sergeant, has ruined his life. It's a humorous story, yet tender. Really a fun and great book.
My 8 year old son and I have been reading this book together. At some point in every chapter, we find ourselves laughing hysterically. We absolutely love the humour in this book.
lol as I read; keep reading passages out loud to my husband as I go along! Would make a good summer read-aloud and maybe lead to a collection of your own family stories
I was pleasantly surprised by the tone and humorous scenarios presented in this book. It's a story of country life, post WWII, but it is really about growing up, becoming wiser, and about getting to know your own family: your kids, parents and siblings -- without being didactic, preachy, or sappy. I adore the many really funny scenes.
Marjean
added it
I really liked this book! The often funny story of two young brothers adjusting to farm life. Life lessons are taught and learned and you get to feel warm and fuzzy sometimes.
This was recommended by a BYU teacher who helps select Newberry books.
This was recommended by a BYU teacher who helps select Newberry books.
Charming without being too sugary. The voice and humor remind me of Richard Peck; lots of tongue in cheek comments and situational humor. I loved the true characters - not only were ten-year-old Donald and his brother realistically painted, but the parents were portrayed in a three dimensional way, complete with tempers and flaws. Miss Scott, the teacher of the one room school house, with her love of Gilbert and Sullivan, added dramatic flair.
Lemna creates a small farm community, e...more
Lemna creates a small farm community, e...more
Michael Tunnel's Newbery recommendation - For older readers. Great stories!
I did not like this one. I'm not sure what the term is called-- unreliable narrator?-- but there were just too many things that the young boy said that he shouldn't have. For example,
"I remembered that bicycle well, although I was only a baby. He took me for rides in it. I used to sit in a box that was fastened down the streets. I remember looking up and seeing a canopy of green leaves high above me gliding by. But that was a long time ago."
I think it's the rem...more
"I remembered that bicycle well, although I was only a baby. He took me for rides in it. I used to sit in a box that was fastened down the streets. I remember looking up and seeing a canopy of green leaves high above me gliding by. But that was a long time ago."
I think it's the rem...more
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I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me a lot of books by Richard Peck (which is a good thing). I constantly found myself laughing out loud. I think this book would be perfect for 4th-6th graders, but I loved it just as well. The story revolves around a 10 year old boy and his family, living in Montana after World War II. His father comes home from the war and everything changes for the family. I loved the funny naration and the perspective of a 10 year old boy. Very fun.
Donald's father comes home from the war and moves Donald from his comfortable existence in Wistola to a rundown farm in the middle of nowhere. Donald hates everything about farm life: an outhouse, no running water, cleaning out the chicken coop, a one-room schoolhouse, no friends or movie house nearby. He decides to save up money and run away from home. But in the meantime....
The voice of the narrator/main character sort of reminded me of a grown-up Junie B. Jones. Sort of. It's a story about the first year two brothers and their parents move to a Montana farm in 1946. Their adventures were just fun and mostly innocent and I laughed out loud at the outcomes a lot.
Wow! It's hard enough to get readjusted after Andy's away for a year- I can't imagine how hard it would be after several years! These kids could barely remember their father- now he's home, moving them to the country... and trying to tell them what to do! Just who does he think he is! Very interesting story!
When dad comes home from the war (WWII) he buys a farm and ruins ten-year-old Donald's life. No electricity, no friends, and out-house, Donald decides to save his money and run away to California. This is a heart warming story. Humorous
Enjoyable family story with a real sense of place and time. Gentle humor and a real boy's spirit throughout. Reminds me a little of "A Long Way from Chicago"---not as funny but in the same vein.
pretty good but didn't have a solid plot. The dad is so mean! Honestly, he needs to consider his kids opinions before he makes a descision!
The word use and descriptions in this book were great. I liked the plot, but the way it was delivered was well worth the read. I had to laugh so many times!
i really didnt like it do not recomend at all to any one
Nice family story - some very funny situations
ONE OF THE SILVER BIRCH BOOKS!
I.H.A.T.E.D.I.T!
BOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
I.H.A.T.E.D.I.T!
BOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
This is not as good as I had hoped it would be. I think my students would find it tedious.
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“He [Pat] pushed a little wheat onto the edge of the shovel, then swung the thing around with such sudden force that the wheat might have actually made it onto the truck, if only he hadn't let go of the shovel. But he did let go of it, and it went sailing through the air like a silver spaceship until my forehead stopped it.
"You've killed me!" I cried. I slipped down onto the pile of wheat, blinking wildly and clutching at my wounded forehead.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" he shouted.
I felt quite numb all over, as if I weren't really there.
"I see three angels with golden trumpets," I informed him.
At this point he began to blubber.
"Don't die!" he cried.
"It's too late. I responded. "You've killed me, and now I'm going to die.
"They'll probably hang you," I added as an afterthought.”
—
2 people liked it
"You've killed me!" I cried. I slipped down onto the pile of wheat, blinking wildly and clutching at my wounded forehead.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" he shouted.
I felt quite numb all over, as if I weren't really there.
"I see three angels with golden trumpets," I informed him.
At this point he began to blubber.
"Don't die!" he cried.
"It's too late. I responded. "You've killed me, and now I'm going to die.
"They'll probably hang you," I added as an afterthought.”
“The movie was Son of Frankenstein, and there was a Gene Autry film along with it. I liked the Frankenstein movie. I liked all Frankenstein movies. But as for Gene Autry, I never liked him very much. He had a bad habit of pulling out his guitar and singing, right in the middle of the movie.”
—
2 people liked it
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