84 pages • 2 hours read
Betty SmithA Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1943A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith follows Francie Nolan, a girl growing up in an impoverished family in early 20th-century Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Through hardships and her father's struggle with alcoholism, Francie finds joy in small pleasures, works hard, excels in school, and dreams of a better future. The story showcases her journey of resilience, hope, and determination despite the challenges of poverty. The book depicts themes such as poverty and substance abuse.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Betty Smith’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn beautifully depicts the struggles and resilience of a young girl in early 20th-century Brooklyn, capturing the era's poverty and hope with eloquence. Readers praise its vivid characters and emotional depth, though some find its pacing slow. Overall, it remains a poignant, enduring classic.
Who Should Read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn?
Fans of character-driven, poignant coming-of-age stories will find A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith compelling. Similar to Louisa May Alcott's Little Women and Richard Russo's Empire Falls, it appeals to readers interested in family dynamics, resilience, and the immigrant experience in historical settings.
RecommendedReading Age
12+yearsLexile Level
810L