A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Author: Betty Smith
Rating: 5/5
Ages: 12+

I’ve been recommended this book so often by people that I love and respect, and some by whom I was totally surprised to learn this was their favourite book of all time. I tucked the information away, but never picked up the book to read it. And really only ever thought of it when I’d see somebody reading it. Then I bought a t-shirt with the cover printed on it. Normally, I never would get a shirt that advertised something so boldly about myself, especially since I hadn’t read the book. But it looked so comfy and I liked the cover image a lot. I promised myself I wouldn’t wear it until I read the book. Well, I didn’t follow through on that. I found a copy, but wore the shirt before I even broke the spine. I’ve never had so many strangers be so eager to talk to me as when I wear that shirt. It is a lot of people’s favourite book! What a fraud I felt wearing that shirt… So I finally picked up the book.

And I’m pleasantly surprised by this thoughtfully written, slowly unfolding story. It’s the story of a girl who is growing up in Brooklyn New York at the turn of the century. Not a whole lot happens. It is not full of action or suspense, but it built a curiosity inside me about the characters and their lives that made we want to get to know them better. I’m not sure I’ve ever gotten to know a character so well as Katie or Francie Nolan.
This is a thinking story. The characters spend a lot of time just thinking. They think about the people in their communities, about the people in their families and about their lives and what is important in a good life and about their place in the world. So this would be best shared or recommended to a “thinker.” The story could be moralizing at times, which made me think that this might be a story to share with a daughter or special little girl of 11 or 12 years old, or if you have that type of relationship maybe a daughter older. Some points of discussion that could be raised with them might be about pride, wants/needs, morality, sexuality, marriage and faith.

One of the things that really makes this a recommended story by me is that Francie is so in love with life. She finds so much beautiful around her, and I love the way the author describes everyday objects or routines in a way that allows the reader to see them beautiful too. If this is on your “to read” list and you’re looking for a classic, consider this one.