The Tree That Would Not Die

by Ellen Levine, Ted Rand (Illustrator)

This book does not stop when it is read to the students. We can proceed by teaching them about our country's history, environmental issues, social issues, and trees in general. We can help students understand the importance of trees to every day life (oxygen) and putting trees into good use such as paper, pencils, even gum. I will truly use this book to its fullest allowing students to appreciate not only the issues in this book but also providing them with the beauty of literature. This book will deliver the joy of reading.

Genres: History, Picture Books, Childrens

Paperback

First published September 1, 1995

About the author

Ellen Levine's books have won many awards and honors, including the Jane Addams Peace Award. Although she enjoys writing both fiction and nonfiction, most of Ellen's books for young readers have been nonfiction. "Writing nonfiction lets me in behind the scenes of the story. I enjoy learning new things and meeting new people, even if they lived 200 years ago."

Ellen Levine was born in New York City. She received her B.A. degree in Politics from Brandeis University, graduating Magna cum laude. She has a Master's degree in political science from the University of Chicago and a Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law. She has worked in film and television, taught adults and immigrant teenagers in special education and ESL programs, and served a law clerkship with Chief Judge Joseph Lord, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania. A former staff attorney with a public interest law group, Levine now devotes her time to writing, lecturing, and teaching. She is on the faculty of Vermont College's MFA program in writing for Children and Young Adults.

Ellen Levine divides her time between New York City and Salem, New York.

Reviews

[Amy Edwards · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. So-so book. Perhaps she wanted to do for the Treaty Oak what Holling C. Holling did for the "Tree in the Trail," but it seemed lacking to me.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a big tree-lover myself, I was interested in learning about the "Treaty Oak," a tree over four hundred years old and whose claim to fame is that it supposedly was the same tree Stephen Austin signed a peace treaty under. Although no historian has proven that fact, legends, in a way, make their own history. Through beautiful illustrations, Ellen Levine takes us through the history of the tree and, consequently, the history of America. Levine and Rand present the story in such a way as to get readers to care about the outcome of this tree, which I feel is a great first step towards getting younger people more interested in environmental conservation and protection. On the other hand, this book is supposed to be non-fiction, and I definitely wouldn't classify it as such. While the tree was (and is) real, and there are historical facts referenced, that doesn't change the fact that Levine took so many liberties when writing this book. She has characters interact with the "Treaty Oak" without providing references showing that such instances actually occurred; the blurb at the back ("About the Treaty Oak") acts as a teaser for a more substantial reference list. Although I did enjoy the story and the illustrations, my frustration with the lack supporting evidence dropped my rating. If this book was presented as a work of fiction, I probably would take less umbrage with it.

[Jenn Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theme(s):
Environmentalism, nature throughout history

Award(s):

Use(s):
Read aloud, classroom library

Review:
This book switches off between summarizing US history from the point of view of a tree to telling the history of the tree. The narrator of the book is the tree, which is the presumed “Treaty Oak” in Austin, Texas. After witnessing several important events in US history, a man puts a ring of poison around the tree. The community and scientist ban together to try to save the “Treaty Oak.”

Connections:
Social Studies: US history through the eyes of the Treaty Oak
Writing: Using nonhumans as narrators
Science: Earth Day, environmentalism

[Emma Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tree that would not die is about a tree located in what it now Austin, Texas. About five hundred years ago, an acorn feel and this tree began to grow. The book takes you through the different historical events the tree was there for and what is happening to it currently.

I really enjoyed this book. I think it was full of great information, but I think at times it was a little wordy for a children's book.

I would use this book to talk about trees or for Texas history if I worked in Texas.

[Alison Durbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was unsure what this book was about at first, but I loved the story by the end. I loved how the story of how Texas came to be was told from the perspective of the "Treaty Oak". I was saddened to learn that someone tried to poison the tree, but the fact that there were so many people who came to save it was really inspiring. I think the illustrations were done very well and they added heart to the story. I would love to purchase this book for my classroom library.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A middle school teacher shared this really cool book with me. It is about the "Treaty Oak," a very old oak tree that is found in Austin Texas. It goes into the stages of Texas history from the native peoples, to the Spanish, to the wars with Mexico, nationhood and eventual statehood. A few decades ago, someone tried to destroy this very old tree by putting poison on its roots which almost killed it. But it survived. A very cool read for Texas history.

[Colleen]

This State of Mine - unit 6
Fiction

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story, beautiful illustrations about the attempted "murder" of a famous Texas oak tree.

[SarahElizabeth Greenmyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for introducing elementary age kids to Texas History! It would be a great lesson starter.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a cute book makes me want to see the treaty oak hope its dong better

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good history of tree in Austin Texas and what it might have seen. Sorry to hear some jerk poisoned it...

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 400-year history lesson of the land, peoples, and human culture in the area of Austin, Texas told from the perspective of the Treaty Oak. Amazing legends and known life story of a glorious oak tree that survives many hardships. Read the same year as the great oak tree I live under lost a third of its height to a powerful derecho storm that devastated much of Iowa during 2020, the year of the coronavirus plague.

[Kelle Treadwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Texas Treaty Oak