81 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.
Introduction
Teacher Introduction
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
- Genre: Fiction; coming-of-age
- Originally Published: 1943
- Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 810L; Grades 9 and up
- Structure/Length: 5 parts; approximately 528 pages; approximately 14 hours, 55 minutes on audiobook
- Protagonist/Central Conflict: The novel centers around Francie Nolan, a young girl growing up in the early 20th century in the slums of Brooklyn. She faces poverty, family struggles, and coming of age in a challenging environment. The central conflict revolves around Francie’s journey of self-discovery, education, and aspirations to rise above her circumstances. The novel beautifully portrays her resilience, determination, and the importance of her family’s love and support.
- Potential Sensitivity Issues: Poverty; mature themes; depiction of difficult family situations, substance abuse, and sexual violence
Betty Smith, Author
- Bio: Born 1896; American author and playwright; grew up in poverty in Brooklyn, which heavily influenced her writing; A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is her best-known work and draws from her own experiences; known for her empathetic portrayal of characters and their struggles; often explores themes of family, dreams, and the human spirit in her works; continued to write novels, short stories, and plays throughout her life; left a lasting impact on literature through her poignant and relatable storytelling
- Other Works: Tomorrow Will Be Better (1947); Maggie-Now (1958); Joy in the Morning (1963)
