From the Bookshelf of Around the World in 80 Books…

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Betty Smith

Start date: March 15, 2015

Finish date: April 15, 2015

Discussion: Group Reads Discussions

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 405 topics — 3,825 comments total

Group Reads Discussions

This topic has been closed to new comments.

* Links to Group Read Discussions
By Diane , Armchair Tour Guide · 3 posts · 1371 views

last updated Jan 18, 2013 07:12PM

I've Been Waiting
By Carole · 1 post · 16 views

last updated Sep 16, 2025 07:57PM

showing 10 of 31 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Feb 05, 2008 Jen Pratt rated it really liked it

Well-written book of poverty, heartache, joy. I originally read this book when I was about 18. I could remember the details. So I reread it.
Francie is a young girl growing up in Brooklyn. Her parents are very poor. Both of her parents were born in Brooklyn of immigrant Irish and Austrian families. Neither parent went to high school, but they both wanted their children to get an education.life in poverty is tough with hard work, hunger, prejudice, alcoholism, and more.
Despite the challenges, Fr ...more

Like · see review

Jan 06, 2009 Lisa rated it liked it

For some reason I liked this book a lot more when I was a teenager... it wasn't as good as I remembered it the second time around. ...more

Like · see review

Jul 09, 2011 Andy Plonka rated it it was amazing

Timeless coming of age book, one that I missed in my youth. Gives a good portait of the Irish in Brooklyn at that time.

Like · see review

Apr 26, 2009 Sylvie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-stars

No need to add any comments ... I think everything has been said.

I have listened to the audio book read by Kate Burton ... sometimes I found the narration was off ... wrong voice for what was said, but nice voice to listen to.

Like · see review