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35th out of 131 books
—
319 voters
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn & Maggie-Now
by
Betty Smith
A moving coming-of-age story set in the 1900's, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn follows the lives of 11-year-old Francie Nolan, her younger brother Neely, and their parents, Irish immigrants who have settled in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. Johnny Nolan is as loving and fanciful as they come, but he is also often drunk and out of work, unable to find his place in the land...more
Hardcover, 733 pages
Published
October 1st 1947
by HarperCollins
(first published 1947)
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A perennial favorite! I first read this book about a young girl when I was in elementary school. Written in 1943 and set in the early 1900s this story is an unique coming of age novel.The book explores the life of eleven-year-old Francie Nolan and the rest of her Irish American Family. The book gives readers a unique glimpse into the hardscrabble lives of the families living in the tenements Brooklyn circa 1919. Through Francie and her younger brother Neely, the reader experiences how the wonder...more
I need to be reminded periodically of what a masterful writer’s attention to detail, character portrayal, and replication of human kindnesses and cruelties accomplishes. Betty Smith’s “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” is an excellent example.
This book is about poor people in Brooklyn living against the odds before and during World War I. It is especially about strong women – the Rommely women – Mary, the grandmother; Mary’s three daughters Sissy, Katie, and Evy; and most particularly granddaughter Fra...more
This book is about poor people in Brooklyn living against the odds before and during World War I. It is especially about strong women – the Rommely women – Mary, the grandmother; Mary’s three daughters Sissy, Katie, and Evy; and most particularly granddaughter Fra...more
I have loved this book for as long as I can remember. I read it for the 1st time when I was in 6th or 7th grade and I know there was much I did not understand @ the time but I did understand Francie - more accurately, I felt Betty Smith understood me.
I wasn't a tenement girl - I grew up in a lower middle class neighborhood in a large city in the mid - west. I loved to read and dreamed of one day being a writer.
I didn't read one book a day(I'm still trying to figure out how Francie did!)but I was...more
I wasn't a tenement girl - I grew up in a lower middle class neighborhood in a large city in the mid - west. I loved to read and dreamed of one day being a writer.
I didn't read one book a day(I'm still trying to figure out how Francie did!)but I was...more
This book about a girl name francie and she is in a poor family and in the middle of the story her dad die and her mom had a baby, and it was just her brother, her mom, the baby girl and herself.
I can connect this to begging for change because the girl's family was poor and her dad was a drunk and a liked to use alot of drug and left her mom.
I give this book a five stars and because it had a meaning,to is the family was poor and then they became middle class because the mom marry the cop.
I can connect this to begging for change because the girl's family was poor and her dad was a drunk and a liked to use alot of drug and left her mom.
I give this book a five stars and because it had a meaning,to is the family was poor and then they became middle class because the mom marry the cop.
I love historical biographies, and this is a unique window into a transitional time in American history and the evolutions of a city. It is primarily though, about one girl and her family in Brooklyn, as they brave poverty, alcoholism and everyday trials. All the while her perspective is positive and prosaic. Very enjoyable.
I love a book that can transport me to it's time period, which this book did so well. I love being challenged to research items mentioned to understand what they are. For example having to research Spats and dying of Consumption. The details were beautifully done and you feel as if you know each of the characters, there flaws and strengths, personally when you come to the end.
I have read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn numerous times. I had to read it again. The first time I read it was in fourth grade. I don't think I "got it," But I do remember liking it. But I think Betty Smith is a classic writer in her own right and I look forward to reading more of her stuff.
This book showed me that, more than money, happiness is a good character, family and friends. The riches of life are the moments you take with you into old age.
Also this is my new favorite book. it lives under my pillow until i read something else that will inspire me.
Also this is my new favorite book. it lives under my pillow until i read something else that will inspire me.
A great character book. Not an adventure, or lots of movement, but well worth the read for just getting to know the people and the time era. New York from the poor persons standpoint at turn of the last century.
Jan 17, 2010
Tiffany Elgan
added it
While both these books are written really well and you really feel transported to Brooklyn during the early 20th century, I thought they were really depressing. I would probably give both books a 3.5 rating.
Maybe I was just sleepy, but I felt that this book didn't really have a real plot. Mostly, it was just a very detailed story of Francie's life.
May 19, 2013
Chris
marked it as to-read
Of course a classic, often assigned to kids in school. I respect under the circumstances Betty Smith accomplished writing her book.
second time to read tree grows-i have not read Maggie Now. I found the melodrama a bit much at the end in this one and alittle too easy of an ending but still some great images and an amazing feat to grow up in new york in the 1900s-how did they survive?!
I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to follow~! I am glad I read it before I watched the movie. The book was much better.
I loved this book! A Coming of age story where the character was not perfect, but they were not an idiot either.
I am possibly the only person in the world who likes Maggie-Now better than A Tree Grows in Brooklyn...
I have probably read this book 5 times and never tire of it. A wonderful book to give a preteen or teen grandchild.
some tender moments from childhood came to mind...characters were much like some relatives i love
I remember reading this for the first time the summer between sixth and seventh grade.
Completely in love with the poetry of Betty Smith's stories.
Betty Smith is awesome. I should put this in my classroom....
Jul 30, 2012
Judy Shepard
marked it as to-read
This is one of my favorite book's. Well worth the read !
Probably on of my favorite stories as an adolescent.
Two of my favorite books, EVER!
I'm actually reading a different edition.
I read it as a teenager and again in my retirement years. Both times I loved it but with a totally different appreciation and perspective.
i
May 19, 2013
Janice.bruce
added it
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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Betty Smith (AKA Sophina Elisabeth Wehner): Born- December 15, 1896; Died- January 17, 1972
Born in Brooklyn, New York to German immigrants, she grew up poor in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. These experiences served as the framework to her first novel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (19...more
More about Betty Smith...
Betty Smith (AKA Sophina Elisabeth Wehner): Born- December 15, 1896; Died- January 17, 1972
Born in Brooklyn, New York to German immigrants, she grew up poor in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. These experiences served as the framework to her first novel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (19...more
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