A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Paperback - 2005
by Betty Smith
A true American classic first published in 1943, this is the tale of a little girl living in the slums of Brooklyn, who dreamily watches out her window as a tree struggles to reach the sky.
About this book
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith is a classic coming-of-age novel set in the early 20th century. It follows the story of Francie Nolan, a young girl growing up in the impoverished Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Despite her challenging circumstances, Francie finds solace and inspiration in books and the natural world. The novel explores themes of poverty, family dynamics, resilience, and the power of education. Through Francie's eyes, readers witness her struggles, dreams, and triumphs as she navigates the complexities of adolescence and strives to rise above her circumstances. Smith's poignant storytelling captures the essence of hope, determination, and the indomitable spirit of a young girl yearning for a brighter future.
An instant best-seller, 300,000 copies were sold just in the first six weeks after publication. In 1945 was adapted into a film directed by Elia Kazan starring James Dunn, Dorothy McGuire, Joan Blondell, and Peggy Ann Garner, who won a Special Academy Award for Outstanding Child Actress of 1945.
Reader reviews for A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Review summary
Readers largely praised the novel’s intimate, richly observed portrait of early-1900s Brooklyn and its empathetic depiction of Francie Nolan’s coming-of-age. Many highlighted the book’s plot-light, character-driven design and slow pace—rewarding and immersive for some, tedious for others. A few cited sexual content and emotional intensity as reasons to stop, but overall sentiment skewed strongly positive, with several calling it a new favorite.
Readers say this book is:
nostalgicevocativecharacter-drivenrichly detailedslow-pacedpoignanthonestimmersiveuniversalmovingWrite a review for this book
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From the publisher
From the rear cover
The American classic about a young girl's coming-of-age at the turn of the century.
This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more.First edition identification
Details
- Title A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
- Author Betty Smith
- Series Perennial Classics
- Binding Paperback
- Edition [ Edition: Repri
- Pages 493
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher Harper Perennial, New York, New York, U.S.A.
- Publication date 2005-02-01
- ISBN 9780060736262 / 0060736267
- Weight 0.85 lbs (0.39 kg)
- Dimensions 7.9 x 5.2 x 1.4 in (20.07 x 13.21 x 3.56 cm)
- Reading level 810
-
Themes
- Chronological Period: 20th Century
- Chronological Period: 1900-1919
- Catalog Heading: Language Arts/Literature
- Cultural Region: Mid-Atlantic
- Cultural Region: Northeast U.S.
- Curriculum Strand: Language Arts/Literature
- Geographic Orientation: New York
- Topical: Coming of Age
- Topical: Family
- Category Young Adult Fiction
- Library of Congress subjects Domestic fiction, Bildungsromans
- Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2004057293
- Dewey Decimal Code FIC
Media reviews
Citations
- Entertainment Weekly, 08/22/2014, Page 113
- Ingram Advance, 01/01/2005, Page 89
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Tree Grows in Brooklyn
by Betty Smith
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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn [75th Anniversary Ed] (Perennial Classics)
by Smith, Betty
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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn [75th Anniversary Ed] (Perennial Classics)
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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn [75th Anniversary Ed] (Perennial Classics)
by Smith, Betty
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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn [75th Anniversary Ed] (Perennial Classics)
by Smith, Betty
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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn [75th Anniversary Ed] (Perennial Classics)
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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn [75th Anniversary Ed]: A Special Edition of the Beloved American Classic Coming-Of-Age Novel (Perennial Classics)
by Smith, Betty
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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn [75th Anniversary Ed]: A Special Edition of the Beloved American Classic Coming-Of-Age Novel (Perennial Classics)
by Smith, Betty
- Used
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