A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

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Summary: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was a great novel.
Review: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was a great novel. Francie Noloan's description of her life filled with heartache, alcoholism, and poverty was extremely touching. Francie describes her life set in the early 1900's in the poor neighborhoods of Brooklyn. Her family and their lives of poverty, are the main focus of the novel. "It grew in boarded up lots and out of neglected rubbish heaps and it was the only tree that grew out of cement. It grew lavishly but in tenement districts." Smith's words capture a central theme of the book. It describes a young girl struggling to survive compared with the tree struggling to grow out of cement. Not only do they both survive, they both flauresh. Betty Smith captures the time perfectly and makes it seem real. She portrays each character in a distinct way. For example, Johnny, Francie's father leaves the reader angry and sad because of his drinking. This novel is especially geared women both young and old. I was disappointed with the ending because I was looking for a conclusion of Francie's life.

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Summary: My all-time favorite!
Review: I bought this book in the 5th grade and was absolutely mesmerized by it. Over the past 15 years I have read it over and over again and have appreciated it on a different level each time as I, too, have grown-up with the lead character of "Francie". If you have ever wanted to travel in time with your best childhood friend, this novel is one way to experience bustling Brooklyn, New York from the turn of the century through the first World War. I cannot recommend it enough and the movie truly does not do it any justice. A must-read for all ages!

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Summary: "One of the best!"
Review: This book is really touching. But for those of you who would rather rent the movie, your missing the point of reading and the plot. Read this book, you'll be sorry if you don't!

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Summary: It's a book so real, it's not a book, it's a life.
Review: My dad gave this to me as required reading. Since I was twelve, I thought it would be boring. It was one of the most realistic and interesting books I've ever read. I could almost smell the coffee or feel they're hunger. I felt their emotions along with them. Everybody should read this.

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Summary: One of the most touching books of all time
Review: I was in Eight th grade when I first read this novel, I cried so hard. the realistic views are profound. Francie Nolan was a true heroine in most aspects. I've read this novel over twenty times and each one was better than the last. I strongly recommend this book to all women old and young alike.

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Summary: A story that comes alive, and you become part of it.
Review: I never read Betty Smith before, but I wanted to watch the movie. So I decided I would read the book before, and what a beautiful beautiful surprise. Each charactar feels so alive, by the end of the novel--I was sad to have to stop. Francie, Neeley, Johnny, Katie, Sissy are all such remarkable charactars. Some of the scenes are so poignant and so realistic, I forgot I was reading a book... and only the best of books can do that to someone. READ IT!!

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Summary: Makes you wanna cry
Review: Francie was an amazing girl that lived through some trgedies that I couldn't even deal with. Her abilty to cope and move on trought the tough times was truely inspiring. This book makes us realize what hardships a young family in Brooklyn had to deal with.

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Summary: It was a great story of a poor girls life.It was facinating!
Review: A girl born in to a poor family shares her life with us by telling her story. She grows to cope with poor ness and lives her life well she loves to attend school and eventualy finds happieness in life.

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Summary: Amazing......
Review: This book was on the summer reading list for 9th graders. It was really hard to find in the bookstore, for it was bought as soon as it was brought in...and my teacher let me borrow hers. Anyway, I read it then, couldn't get past the first page. Then, MONTHS later, I read it.....and fell in love with it. It's a wonderful book, full of emotions. It isn't afraid to show the view of real life, with all its hardships and happiness. I love this book so much, I didn't even return it to my teacher! I have to pay her back soon :) I read this at least 10 times! :D

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Summary: You'll feel like you're reading about your own life.
Review: I received this book as a Christmas present when I was 14. Now 15, I have read the whole book twice, and skimmed my favorite parts numerous times. I identified with Francie, because of her many triumphs and hardships while growing up. It has many powerful characters, particularly Katie, who embodies inner strength and dignity. I almost felt like this book was written about me, because I have often experienced the same things as Francie. You must read this book. It is a true classic.