A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

By Betty Smith

Rated: PG-13

Growing up during the early 1900's in the slums of Brooklyn, Francie and her brother Neely know their share of hardship. Their charming drunk of a father gets only occasional gigs as a singing waiter so the family's survival relies on the small income brought home by their mother's cleaning jobs and whatever pennies the kids get for selling scrap. This is primarily a story about Francie: her joys and pains as she grows and learns about the world around her and as she searches for her dreams.

This is a beautiful, poignant story of growing up, family relationships, and the foundation of wisdom. I found I really grew attached to the characters, mostly because they seemed more than just characters. They are vividly written with such great depth that I felt I would recognize them if they walked by.

This is absolutely a must-read and would be ideal for a book club. There is mild cursing and reference to mature subject matter, although nothing explicit. However, due to these considerations, I gave this book a PG-13 rating. This book would most likely be appreciated by older teens and adults.

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