THE BOOK CORNER

     A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

by Betty Smith

I had always meant to read this book and, at age 22, I finally got around to it. Making this purchase was an excellent decision. This is the heartwarming story of a little girl growing up in--where else?--  Brooklyn with her older brother, her overworked mother, and her deadbeat, drunken father. It follows her over a significant period of her life, making it one of the earliest "coming of age" stories which focuses on a girl. You grow up with Francie and experience her heartbreak along with her different aspects, from life in general to, at a little old love. Not only did the author do a great job of telling the story of a family, she also informs the reader about what it was like to grow up at the turn of the [twentieth] century in New York as a poor family. It makes readers (or at least it did for this reader) appreciate everything that they have in light of such poverty. However, it shows that, even in such dire poverty, children can still have happy and cherished memories of their childhoods. The book is a bit length and does ramble on at times, but it does not fail to keep you interested and turning the pages. It is also easy reading, although it may look intimidating--I managed  to get through it within a few days, and would definitely read it again. It is a great addition to anyone's library.

Review by S.R.W. Phillips "StevieRae5"