A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Modern Classics)
From the moment she entered the world, Francie Nolan needed to be made of stern stuff, for growing up in the Williamsburg slums of Brooklyn, New York 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, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the Nolans’ daily experiences are raw with honestly and tenderly threaded with family connectedness. Betty Smith has captured the joys of humble Williamsburg life―from “junk day” on Saturdays, when the children traded their weekly take for pennies, to the special excitement of holidays, bringing cause for celebration and revelry. Smith has created a work of literary art that brilliantly captures a unique time and place as well as deeply resonant moments of universal experience. Here is an American classic that "cuts right to the heart of life," hails the New York Times. "If you miss A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, you will deny yourself a rich experience."
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
Our group enjoyed the book, whether remembering it from assigned reading in school to experiencing the story for the first time. We discussed how the concept of being poor has changed over the years, and agreed that the book was driven by its strong female characters.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 stars
A stunning coming-of-age story about a young girl and her family trying to do more than just get by in the slums of Brooklyn.
Francie was born into a life of squalor and struggle, but she's determined to make something of her life and be the tree that keeps growing despite the blows that come in life.
"Dear God," she prayed, "let me be something every minute of every hour of my life. Let me be gay; let me be sad. Let me be cold; let me be warm. Let me be hungry...have too much to eat. Let me be ragged or well dressed. Let me be sincere - be deceitful. Let me be truthful; let me be a liar. Let me be honorable and let me sin. Only let me be something every blessed minute. And when I sleep, let me dream all the time so that not one little piece of living is ever lost."
"From that time on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again, never miss the lack of intimate friends. Books became her friends and there was one for every mood. There was poetry for quiet companionship. There was adventure when she tired of quiet hours. There would be love stories when she came into adolescence and when she wanted to feel a closeness to someone she could read a biography. On that day when she first knew she could read, she made a vow to read one book a day as long as she lived."
The narration quality of this audiobook is excellent. Kate does a wonderful job with all the different dialects and accents.
A stunning coming-of-age story about a young girl and her family trying to do more than just get by in the slums of Brooklyn.
Francie was born into a life of squalor and struggle, but she's determined to make something of her life and be the tree that keeps growing despite the blows that come in life.
"Dear God," she prayed, "let me be something every minute of every hour of my life. Let me be gay; let me be sad. Let me be cold; let me be warm. Let me be hungry...have too much to eat. Let me be ragged or well dressed. Let me be sincere - be deceitful. Let me be truthful; let me be a liar. Let me be honorable and let me sin. Only let me be something every blessed minute. And when I sleep, let me dream all the time so that not one little piece of living is ever lost."
"From that time on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again, never miss the lack of intimate friends. Books became her friends and there was one for every mood. There was poetry for quiet companionship. There was adventure when she tired of quiet hours. There would be love stories when she came into adolescence and when she wanted to feel a closeness to someone she could read a biography. On that day when she first knew she could read, she made a vow to read one book a day as long as she lived."
The narration quality of this audiobook is excellent. Kate does a wonderful job with all the different dialects and accents.
I absolutely loved this story. It’s not action-packed or drama-filled—it’s simply the life of a first-generation American family trying to make it through, and that’s what makes it so beautiful. It’s honest, raw, and deeply human.
Told in five “books” that each focus on a different stage of life, this coming-of-age novel centers around Francie Nolan, a girl growing up in early 1900s Brooklyn. Through her eyes, we experience school, poverty, family struggles, and fleeting moments of joy and clarity. Her dream is to become a writer, and reading this novel feels like living through the stories she would eventually go on to write. It’s reflective, immersive, and emotional.
We also get flashbacks to her parents, Katie and Johnny, and their beginnings—how young love, hope, and hardship shaped them. Johnny’s alcoholism casts a long shadow, but he shares a special bond with Francie that contrasts with the dynamic between Katie and their children. Francie is seen as the “smarter” one, yet her younger brother Neeley is shown more affection by their mother. Still, the sibling relationship between Francie and Neeley is touching and complex, filled with quiet loyalty and shared survival.
Katie’s extended family also plays a role in the Nolan family’s journey. Each member wants what’s best for Katie in their own way, and their differing values around love, class, and sacrifice are woven throughout the novel. These generational tensions add depth to the story and show how much strength lies in the women of this family.
The beauty of this book is in its subtlety. Life simply happens—and that’s the point. It’s a coming-of-age story that doesn’t need grand twists to be impactful. I found myself wanting more by the end—not because the ending was lacking, but because I had grown so attached to Francie. Watching her reach for her dreams, finish school, and prepare to leave Brooklyn felt both satisfying and bittersweet. I would’ve loved to follow her just a little longer.
Despite the quiet nature of the plot, the themes are heavy and important: class, gender roles, loss, survival, education, and self-worth. The reflection at the end, when Francie looks back on her childhood, was especially moving—it was the “more” I didn’t know I needed.
🧍♀️ Key Characters:
• Francie Nolan – The main character, a bright and observant girl who dreams of being a writer. We grow with her as she learns to navigate poverty, love, ambition, and loss.
• Katie Nolan – Francie’s hardworking, emotionally guarded mother who sacrifices deeply for her children and often shows tough love.
• Johnny Nolan – Francie’s charming, musical, alcoholic father who struggles to provide but loves Francie fiercely.
• Neeley Nolan – Francie’s younger brother, often favored by their mother. His path is more traditional, and he receives more leniency, but his bond with Francie is strong.
• Sissy Rommely – Katie’s bold, unconventional sister who brings humor and warmth to the story, challenging societal norms and fiercely loving her family.
⚠️ This novel includes references to alcoholism, death, grief, attempted sexual assault, child loss, and mentions of sexual abuse. While not graphic, these moments are emotionally impactful and may be difficult for some readers.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a quiet masterpiece. It doesn’t rely on spectacle—it relies on heart. Francie’s voice will stay with me for a long time, and the themes of resilience, growth, and longing are ones I won’t forget. If you’re looking for a story that feels like real life—hard, beautiful, and full of hope—this one is a must-read
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.