A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

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Summary: Young girl grows up strong amidst squalor and poverty.
Review: This is the inspirational story of Francie, a young girl growing up in a tenament in Brooklyn in the '20s. Her father is an alcoholic with big dreams and no way to realize them. Her mother is down-to-earth, but completely worn down by their poor life. Francie is determined to learn; she enrolls in a school miles from her home, regardless of the hardhship this imposes on her. This is just one example of her strength and courage. I read this book first when I was in my teens; I am now 40, beginning college, and still find inspiration and hope in its pages. I would recommend it to anyone; however, women may find a lot in it. The main character, Francie, is a child of courage; I would love to meet her when she's 40!

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Summary: Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!
Review: I lohuhuhuved this book. You think it's about a poor family and all their hardships. But it's not. It's about a poor family and their lives, how they form bonds and their sense of togetherness. Francie is beautiful character and her interactions with all her family members are wonderfully written. Oh, and the ending: I cried. It's just so beautiful. Gawd, I loved this book.

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Summary: I loved it!
Review: At first this book seems a little slow, but once you read into the second chapter you are mezmorized. I love this book so much, and i think it is a must read for everyone out there. This book is about a young girl who you see grow up throughout the book. She overcomes difficult times in her life with her family. This book is in a way inspirational. I have recommended this book to soo many people and they all have loved it, from male to female, and everyone else inbetween. Read this book, trust me, you wont regret it!

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Summary: I've lived it--and a tree really does grow
Review: When I got this book, I had a warm feeling because I knew it was a classic and because I rarely get American books. I experienced the same thing with a copy of THE BARK OF THE DOGWOOD and the great and compelling novel by Steinbeck titled OF MICE AND MEN. I think this is a good choice. A good thing about this book is that Betty Smith tells all about every member of the Rommely and Nolan families, as well as other people, even though this isn't important to the plot. She isn't realistic the way modern children's writers are, but she gives lots of little details. I love the parts about the Catholic religion. My favorite character is Mary Rommely, and I enjoy daydreaming of being cared for by her or Sissy. I like the part where she tells Katie how to raise her daughter. This could be used in real life, even today. Katie is very smart, hard-working and strong-willed. Sometimes she seems too stern, but other times she is kind and understanding. I can most identify with Francie when she argues with her teacher, Miss Gardner over her writing. Also, same as her, I keep imagining things, so I liked the part when she's told to write down stories instead of speaking lies. (Only writing takes much more effort!) I think part of what it makes this a serious novel is that sometimes little sad details are included. I don't mean the kind describing the cruel school system, but softer ones: the father Johnny being a bum; Francie and Katie knowing it would never again be all right between them. However, there are also some parts telling of good times. This is a good book to read, and after you've read it, you can browse through it again and enjoy your favorite parts separately.

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Summary: Magical
Review: I honestly don't know how this novel has become a classic. As an avid reader I had to practically force myself to get through this book and only did so because my book club was reading it. I wasn't the only person in our club who was disappointed. It was a miserable story and pointless. It was a great discription of life in Brooklyn during that time period but Betty Smith never made me care about the characters enough to care about what happened to them. This novel needs more character development to be a classic. I only give it 2 stars instead of 1 because it really is a great description of life in Brooklyn.

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Summary: Timely Classic
Review: Smith's timely classic of coming of age story was suggested to me by Oprah's BC. I found it to be just as magnificant as when I first read it many years ago. Also easing its way up the Oprah's list is the novel, LUST OF THE FLESH by Beverly Rolyat. An engaging, compelling, riveting, enlightening pageturner. A story about a corrupted district attorney, Nick Alapapalaus, who finds himself caught up in scandalous activities. This novel has sexually explicit scenes, but I guess that accounts for its title. A highly recommended novel with enlightening messages through and through.

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Summary: My All-Time Favorite Book
Review: I first read this book in 5th grade and have read it again every few years since. Now, even after having majored in English in college and become an English teacher, this remains my favorite book of any genre, any time. It is the kind of book you can enjoy as a child and enjoy even more as an adult, appreciating nuances you hadn't noticed before. The characters are so well-developed, so vividly portrayed, so multi-faceted, and so REAL that they become a part of you. This may be a work of fiction, but it is most definitely a "true" story, if you know what I mean. Don't miss this wonderful book!

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Summary: Not just for girls
Review: I read this book while home from school and ill in 1960. I was 12 and very certainly male. I still remember this vivid, moving, enthalling story while I have forgotten most any details from the usual 'thrillers' that I read in those days.

I am not surprised to find that most of the reviewers are female. The central character is a young woman, but her coming of age and coping with the realities of the human condition are pertinent to anyone, anytime.

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Summary: My favorite book!
Review: I absolutely adore this book and recommend it to everyone every chance I get! I identified so much with Francie in her relationship with her family. I also admired her strength through all that happened. My favorite part is when they are getting the christmas tree chucked at them and they have to stay standing to win it. Francie was always thought of to be frail and weak b/c that's how she looked while her younger bro. looked strong and healthy but when the tree hit them, the bro. went to his knees and Francie jerked him back up even tho it hit her in the head. The book has great insight and narrative. It is a wonderful read.

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Summary: My Favorite Classic
Review: This book I read in 4th grade and have reread it again 10 years later because I loved it so much! I could visualize Francie and all the rest of the charachters. I would recommend this to people of all ages because It is one of the best books ever writeen!! I can read it straight through without boredom setting in LOVE LOVE LOVE