A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: For Those Reading Through!

[Jamie (The Perpetual Page-Turner), The Founding Bookworm]

Use this thread if you are reading through the book and you want to talk about it. For example, if you are anything like me, if something crazy happens in a book I always want to talk about it right after it happens! It's also nice to discuss with others who are reading through it. Please make sure at the top of every thing you post you have a Spoiler warning and say up to what page you are on.

[Jessie]

I've only read the first two chapters so far, but already i'm really enjoying Smith's writing style. I'm excited to see where the story goes.

[Lynnie]

I'm actually sort of disappointed so far. It's okay I guess... maybe my hopes were too high. I can't imagine reading this as a little kid though.. I always had it in my mind that it was written mostly for kids (I had the same view about other books like Little Women or Anne of Green Gables - even though adults obviously enjoy them too), but really this book has a lot of reference that probably would have shocked my sheltered world quite a bit!

[MacKenzie]

I agree with Lynn... I'm a little disappointed so far. Lots of my friends have told me they LOVE this book, but after the first 100 pages I'm not very impressed. It doesn't seem overly original or captivating, but hopefully it'll pick up and grab my attention soon!

[Tami]

I always thought it was more young adult (early teens) book. I finished and really enjoyed it.

[Ciara]

I had absolutely no expectations for this book, having only been somewhat familiar with the title. I am enjoying the ease of reading, the character development and the wonder time/setting descriptions. It's an easy read and I'm intrigued enough to see where the author is going...that all being said, I have a feeling it wont end up on my top books list. Its lacking something so far, its sort of just waxing on a superficial level and I'm hoping that will change as I read, I think im only 70 pages in so far, so we will see....

[Chrissie]

When I bought this book at Target, my mom said it was her favorite book growing up. I'm about 50 pages in and I can see why. My mom was one of eight kids in an Irish Catholic family from the South side of Chicago. She's also a voracious reader.
I'm enjoying Smith's treatment of female and children characters, both of which are usually horribly developed in novels. Everyone seems real to me.
The vocabulary in the book is simple enough for young adults to understand, but Smith has an amazing grasp of language, so the book isn't lacking in that aspect.

[Nicole]

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one of my favorite books of all time. People may be partially dissapointed by it if you aren't into the coming of age sort of book, since that is exactly what it is, but it should certainly be appreciated for its historical significance. It's a representation of the time-period it is set in, and very accurately describes the life of immigrants. All that aside, I really enjoyed the book as a whole.

[Chrissie]

I am a little over halfway through this book.
One thing that keeps flashing in my mind is that 80 years later, Brooklyn gets gentrified. I recognize the street names she's walking along, but not as she describes them.

[Jen]

I just started this book today. I like it so far...but I'm not really sure where the story is headed? Is there an actual story/plot?

Its interesting to read about buying things for a penny or a loaf of bread for a nickel.

[Alicia]

Jen wrote: "I just started this book today. I like it so far...but I'm not really sure where the story is headed? Is there an actual story/plot?

Its interesting to read about buying things for a penny or a ..."

The story develops slowly (I thought) and tells the life of the little girl through her adolescence. There aren't any huge plot twists, if that's what you are wondering. It's pretty predictable.