81 pages 2 hours read

Betty Smith

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1943

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Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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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 this

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.

Recommended

Reading Age

12+years

Lexile Level

810L

Book Details

Themes
Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride
Identity: Gender
Topics
History: World
Genre
Historical Fiction
Classic Fiction