I really liked this book. A fascinating look into turn of the century New York from a young lady's perspective. ( )

Must read -- she captures the flavor of early 20th century America, the flavor of growing up, all without undue sentimentality. A book you can enjoy in your soul. ( )

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn captures the life of the Nolan family, who live in the slums of Brooklyn, not by choice, but because they are poor. The book follows them from the opening of the 20th century through the 1920s. The central character here is Francie, the daughter of Katie and Johnny, opening when she is 11, and follows her through her teenage years.

The book is a coming-of-age novel, but at the same time, it's a look at many issues prevalent at the time which one could argue are still prevalent now. For example, beyond the immediate effects of poverty on Francie's family's life, the author has also reflected on how people both on the inside and outside of the Nolan's community viewed poverty. There is a great scene where Francie and her brother went to a "celebration for the poor of all faiths" (211) -- where the kids received little gifts, watched a play, etc., and then there was a give away of a doll. The woman gives a speech about the child giving away the doll, saying that "Little Mary is a very rich little girl," who had received a lot of dolls for Christmas, and wanted to give the doll to "some poor little Mary." All of the "poor" little girls refused to own up to being named Mary, because no one wanted to be a "symbol of all the poor little girls in the audience" (212). There's also a part where Francie, who wants to become a writer and is good at it, turns in compositions about "poverty, starvation and drunkenness" which her teacher tells her are "ugly subjects to choose.." but not to be written about. (321).

Smith also writes about the perception among many of the poor that education would lift their children out of the slums and give them a chance to have a better life than the previous generation, but at the age where they can go on to high school, many families were so poor that the kids had to get working papers to help support the family, sounding the death knell of many parents' dreams to get their children out of the slums and into a better situation, further perpetuating the cycle. I could go on.

What this book is really about is hope and perseverance. At the end of my edition is a little bio of the author, and in it, the author's daughter notes "She often said about 'Tree' that she didn't write it the way it was, but the way it should have been." I think the reason this book resonates with so many people is reflected in that statement. Would we have liked it as much if she had written A Tree Grows in Brooklyn "the way it was?" Contrast this book with Ann Petry's The Street.

I vaguely remember reading this book as a teen, but I think my recommendation would be to older readers who are a bit more life savvy. There's a lot in this book to contemplate. ( )

Classic coming-of-age from a gifted writer ( )

This is my all-time favorite book. So much happens in this novel, despite nothing happening, if you know what I mean. I'm drawn into Francie's world from the first few pages and I stay in there days after I've finished the book. I read this at least once a year and I'm glad I found it. ( )