A Tree Grows in BrooklynA Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Score Classic
What it's about
Francie Nolan grows up in the tenements of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in the early 1900s, with a hardworking, determined mother, a charming father who drinks, and a fierce love of books and learning. Following Francie from childhood to young adulthood, the novel shows poverty, family love, neighborhood life and a girl's hunger to make something of herself in a world that expects little of her.
Why it's worth reading
It's one of the most beloved American novels, warm, honest and full of small, unforgettable moments, and generations of readers have seen themselves in Francie. It spent 28 weeks at #1 on the bestseller list.
You'll love it if you liked
Little Women
Anne of Green Gables
The Book ThiefGood to know
It's gentle and episodic rather than plot-driven, and includes alcoholism and an attempted assault. Around 500 pages.
By the numbers
- Readers92 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller82 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #8 of the 219 young adult books we rank
- #46 of the 762 classics we rank
- #154 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving
If you like this, read next
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Hobbit
Beloved
Midnight's Children
Magician
The Master and MargaritaExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn worth reading?
Yes. It's one of the most beloved American novels, warm, honest and full of small, unforgettable moments, and generations of readers have seen themselves in Francie. It ranks #154 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 84.7 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn about?
Francie Nolan grows up in the tenements of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in the early 1900s, with a hardworking, determined mother, a charming father who drinks, and a fierce love of books and learning. Following Francie from childhood to young adulthood, the novel shows poverty, family love, neighborhood life and a girl's hunger to make something of herself in a world that expects little of her.
How long does it take to read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn?
About 13 hours (509 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after A Tree Grows in Brooklyn?
If you liked it, try Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery or The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.