About the book
A PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick
The beloved American classic about a young girl's coming-of-age at the turn of the twentieth century.
From the moment she entered the world, Francie Nolan needed to be made of stern stuff, for the often harsh life of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, demanded fortitude, precocity, and strength of spirit. Often scorned by neighbors for her family’s erratic and eccentric behavior—such as her father Johnny’s taste for alcohol and Aunt Sissy’s habit of marrying serially without the formality of divorce—no one, least of all Francie, could say that the Nolans’ life lacked drama. By turns overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the Nolans’ daily experiences in this classic novel are tenderly threaded with family connectedness and raw with honesty. Betty Smith has, in the pages of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, captured the joys of humble Williamsburg life-from \"junk day\" on Saturdays, when the children of Francie’s neighborhood traded their weekly take for pennies, to the special excitement of holidays, bringing cause for celebration and revelry. Betty Smith has artfully caught this sense of exciting life in a poignant work of historical fiction, a novel of childhood replete with incredibly rich moments of universal experiences—a truly remarkable achievement for any writer.
This enduring portrait of a bygone Brooklyn is a story of survival, resilience, and the quiet moments that define a life.
Editions of Tree Grows in Brooklyn, A
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780060736262
- EBook
- ISBN 9780061803024
Read an Excerpt
A PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick
The beloved American classic about a young girl's coming-of-age at the turn of the twentieth century.
From the moment she entered the world, Francie Nolan needed to be made of stern stuff, for the often harsh life of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, demanded fortitude, precocity, and strength of spirit. Often scorned by neighbors for her family’s erratic and eccentric behavior—such as her father Johnny’s taste for alcohol and Aunt Sissy’s habit of marrying serially without the formality of divorce—no one, least of all Francie, could say that the Nolans’ life lacked drama. By turns overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the Nolans’ daily experiences in this classic novel are tenderly threaded with family connectedness and raw with honesty. Betty Smith has, in the pages of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, captured the joys of humble Williamsburg life-from \"junk day\" on Saturdays, when the children of Francie’s neighborhood traded their weekly take for pennies, to the special excitement of holidays, bringing cause for celebration and revelry. Betty Smith has artfully caught this sense of exciting life in a poignant work of historical fiction, a novel of childhood replete with incredibly rich moments of universal experiences—a truly remarkable achievement for any writer.
This enduring portrait of a bygone Brooklyn is a story of survival, resilience, and the quiet moments that define a life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tree Grows in Brooklyn, A about?
A PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick
The beloved American classic about a young girl's coming-of-age at the turn of the twentieth century.
From the moment she entered the world, Francie Nolan needed to be made of stern stuff, for the often harsh life of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, demanded fortitude, precocity, and strength of spirit. Often scorned by neighbors for her family’s erratic and eccentric behavior—such as her father Johnny’s taste for alcohol and Aunt Sissy’s habit of marrying serially without the formality of divorce—no one, least of all Francie, could say that the Nolans’ life lacked drama. By turns overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the Nolans’ daily experiences in this classic novel are tenderly threaded with family connectedness and raw with honesty. Betty Smith has, in the pages of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, captured the joys of humble Williamsburg life-from \"junk day\" on Saturdays, when the children of Francie’s neighborhood traded their weekly take for pennies, to the special excitement of holidays, bringing cause for celebration and revelry. Betty Smith has artfully caught this sense of exciting life in a poignant work of historical fiction, a novel of childhood replete with incredibly rich moments of universal experiences—a truly remarkable achievement for any writer.
This enduring portrait of a bygone Brooklyn is a story of survival, resilience, and the quiet moments that define a life.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Tree Grows in Brooklyn, A?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre
Where can I read a sample of Tree Grows in Brooklyn, A?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780060736262
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Tree Grows in Brooklyn, A?
Betty Smith
Who is the Publisher of the book Tree Grows in Brooklyn, A?
HarperCollins
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Tree Grows in Brooklyn, A is available as paperback(ISBN 9780060736262) and ebook(ISBN 9780061803024)
Where can I buy Tree Grows in Brooklyn, A online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy Tree Grows in Brooklyn, A?