It Is Edith's Tree — T.F. Platt

Early twentieth century Michigan is the setting for It Is Edith's Tree. The story opens in the spring of 1913 with salt and pepper Grandma and eight-year-old Edith and others of the Groner household in a fight with swarming flies in the kitchen and with frail Grandpa wanting to deter strong arm tactics of temperance hellions. There is a wild goose chase to Kansas and Missouri while tar and feathers, chain mail, scorched leaves, tryst, elopement, and loggerheads serve to muddle the issue. Meanwhile the heroes arrive in New Mexico and Chihuahua to tangle with Poncho Villa, Black Jack Pershing, George Patton, and B. D. Foulois and the first U. S. use of military aircraft, trucks, and tanks. Fishing, romance, first brassieres, a yo-yo contest and decisions regarding The Star Spangled Banner coupled with the antics of Charley James, Bet Ho, Yen Ho, and Skyarms round out Edith's life as she enters high school at an age too young for the garment required by her friends but not too young for the heart to be broken as young men leave for war.