A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

[April]

I think A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith is one of those quintenssential coming-of-age novels and should be required reading for every young woman, but maybe I'm a little bit biased. Francie was just so lovable and hardworking. I teared up a bit during the scenes with her father.

[Becky]

I own this one but haven't read it yet. I didn't know that it was considered YA!

[Laura]

Oh Becky, you really do have to read this one. Another easy crossover, I think. But talk about lyrical writing, almost poetry, she is so terrific.

Anyone read any other Betty Smith titles? I picked up Joy in the Morning once, I believe it's about a young married couple, but I never read it.

[Kathy]

I really want to read this one. It has been sitting on my shelf for years. I even saw part of the old black and white movie and I had to quick turn it off, because it was drawing me in.

[April]

Yes, Kathy DROP EVERYTHING AND READ this book!

[Becky]

Just how old is this book??

[Becky]

Holy cow... I had no idea that this book was that old!! I thought it was a newer book, since it seems like everyone has been talking about it recently.

[Kathy]

I have Joy In The Morning, but I haven't read that yet. I will definitely get to it April. I'm looking forward to it.

[JG (Introverted Reader)]

I read this about 5 years ago, and I'm glad I read it, but it was just okay for me. I can't put my finger on why. The best I can come up with is that maybe I'm just too much of a country girl to relate to the problems a city girl has. It sounded like a book I should love, it just didn't click for me. Maybe it was just bad timing and it would improve with a re-read. I'm glad so many of you guys love it though!

[Angela]

I just recently read this book and cannot believe it took me so long to pick it up. I loved it!!

[Renee]

This is another one of my favorite books. LOL I never realized until now how much I enjoy reading YA books

[Laura]

Wow JG I'm surprised. I'm a country girl - solid - hate congested cities really, but I loved it. My daughter and I read books together for awhile and this was the first one we picked. We both loved it equally. I think she may have been in 5th or 6th grade at the time.

[JG (Introverted Reader)]

Maybe it was just the wrong time for me? I really should have loved it.

[Laura]

Do you appreciate lyrical, poetic prose? Because if you do, I don't think you can go wrong with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

[April]

So with this book, I remember seeing it in my mom's room. It was the only non-Harlequinn book she had besides Little House on the Prarie, so I definately had to read it.

I think it's interesting how some of us come to certain books.

[Jennifer W, WT Moderator]

I just finished it for the first time. I think I would have identified with Francie had I read it as a young woman, but reading it now, I identified with Katie more. Still, it was a very charming book and I'm glad to have read it.