Song of the Pines: A Story of Norwegian Lumbering in Wisconsin is a children's historical novel by Walter Havighurst

Walter Havighurst

Walter Edwin Havighurst , critic, novelist, literary and social historian of the Midwest, professor of English at Miami University.- History :...

 and Marion Havighurst. Part of the Land of the Free series, it celebrates the contribution of Norwegian immigrants to the Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...

 logging industry through the story of 15-year-old Nils, a trained knife sharpener, who emigrates to America and sets up a business making cant hook

Cant Hook

A cant hook is a traditional logging tool consisting of a wooden lever handle with a movable metal hook at one end, used for handling and moving logs...

s. The novel, illustrated by Richard Floethe, was first published in 1949 and was a Newbery Honor

Newbery Medal

The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...

recipient in 1950.