A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, Betty Smith

Mary writes:

In A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, Betty Smith tells the story of Francie, a young girl living with her family in Brooklyn, New York in the early 1900s. Francie’s life is not an easy one. Her family is dirt poor, her father has a drinking problem and has trouble providing for his family, her mother is tired and angry all the time and she and her brother, Neely, have to work to help the family while going to school.

Francie is a smart girl who knows that a good education is her only way out of a difficult life. Her mother thinks Francie is a dreamer and feels she is doomed to a life like hers. Francie doesn’t always get along with her mother and often feels her mother doesn’t love her as much as her brother. However, Francie adores her father despite his many faults. They have a very close relationship. This often cause a conflict with her mother. Francie always comes to her father’s defense when her mother expresses anger and frustration with his drinking problem. Francie sees the good in him while her mother can only see him as a failure.

Francie’s father wants Francie to get the best education possible and finds a way for her to attend a better school than the one she was supposed to attend. He wants Francie to follow her dreams. He is a dreamer who sees things in a positive way while her mother is practical and sees things as they are. Even though a death changes the family, Francie continues with her dreams and goes on to with her education always dreaming of a better life.


I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about people overcoming difficult circumstances to better their lives. Although it can be sad at times, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a very uplifting story.