2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion
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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Chapters 1-14
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Alissa
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Mar 29, 2014 03:19PM
For discussion on chapters 1-14 of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
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Growing up in the 90's I've taken for granted the modern conveniences I had. We were not well off but always had a fridge full of food, clothes to wear and a roof over our heads. Kids today have it even better - my 10 year old niece has more electronics than a little girl needs. Reading this book brings back memories of the stories my grandmother would tell me about her childhood - it all seems so foreign. A 6th grade education was all you needed, now its hard to get a good job if you didn't go to graduate school! It truly is amazing how things have changed and continue to change. I keep thinking how would Francie react if she transported in time and came to my house - would she be in awe of how things changed or disgusted?
I began reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn yesterday. I cannot put it down. Every spare minute I get I pick up this book. The author does an amazing job with characters. They are so easy to get to know. My heart feels for them and their struggles. I can also relate being young, married and a student; just praying for pay day. I look forward to reading the rest of the book.
Just started! I'm really enjoying the tone and the pace.
Enjoying this book very much. We take so much for granted, I can't imagine what it was like during time. I feel stressed in my life, but their stress was so much more basic, food heat, etc.
I'm really enjoying this book, as well. I can't believe it is one that was not on my radar as a little girl/teen. Some past librarian has failed me. lol I would have really enjoyed it then. Now, as a parent, I am struck by how much responsibility the children are given and how much they are expected to do at such a young age. Very different from today's world, but so interesting.
Karma, COMPLETELY agreed. How did no one ever recommend this book to me when I was a kid?
It really is such a sweet, under rated story. I devoured books growing up but for some reason this also never made it on my radar screen. I've been on a mission to read all of the books I should've read while growing up!
I am listening to this book on CD during my commute to work. I have found myself sitting in the drive when I get home to keep listening. It reminds me a lot of the stories my grandmothers use to tell about growing up as 1st generation American's Irish and Lithuianian. My great-grandma used to tell a great story about having her first orange and trying to explain what it was when she arrived in America and ending up with an onion. These stories are family gems!
Jordan wrote: "I began reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn yesterday. I cannot put it down. Every spare minute I get I pick up this book. The author does an amazing job with characters. They are so easy to get to kn..."I agree that the author does an amazing job with the characters but to me it is even more amazing the way she can describe the atmosphere of the street scenes - the little stores in Brooklyn, the street musicians, etc. - so that you feel that you are living there with Francie.
Pat wrote: "Enjoying this book very much. We take so much for granted, I can't imagine what it was like during time. I feel stressed in my life, but their stress was so much more basic, food heat, etc."I felt the same way as I started reading this, it was almost a sense of guilt from realizing how fortunate I am compared to this young girl. Still, when I got to the parts about her reading a book a day by the tree it made me so happy realizing that literature can really transport you through the toughest situations.
Loved the atmosphere in the early going of this book. The scenes were so vivid - taking in scrap for coins, pouring coffee down the drain...so nice.
Kara wrote: "Karma, COMPLETELY agreed. How did no one ever recommend this book to me when I was a kid?"I asked myself this too! It's such a great read so far. Really feel like you get to know the characters and the setting!
Jordan wrote: "I began reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn yesterday. I cannot put it down. Every spare minute I get I pick up this book. The author does an amazing job with characters. They are so easy to get to kn..."Same here, just started reading it last night and already a quarter of the way through :)
I remember this being a choice for summer reading in high school. Reading it now, I wish I choose it then!
I loved when the grandmother talked about imagination. "The child must have a secret world in which live things that never were. It is necessary that she believe." This was such a great way of explaining the importance of children having a place that they can escape to when they need to!
Karen wrote: "I loved when the grandmother talked about imagination. "The child must have a secret world in which live things that never were. It is necessary that she believe." This was such a great way of e..."Yes, this is the best argument I've heard for encouragement in the belief of Father Christmas and the easter bunny.
Karen wrote: "I loved when the grandmother talked about imagination. "The child must have a secret world in which live things that never were. It is necessary that she believe."I couldn't agree more. I'm a kindergarten teacher with kids who are 5-6 years old and recently I got asked if the easter bunny was real. In that moment I remembered so clearly what the grandmother said in the book and gladly told the child "yes, he does exist". Let the parents or just the world tell them the truth later on in life but meanwhile I will give them a little more time with their imagination in tact.
Uh, I have read 14 chapters by now and I'm really thinking leaving this. It feels so slow, maybe its charm has lost in translation.
