Coming of age · Literary · Historical
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Francie Nolan grows up poor in early twentieth-century Williamsburg, Brooklyn, finding refuge in books while her loving but unreliable father and hard-working mother struggle to get by.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 1943
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 509
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you like tender, detailed coming-of-age novels about family and hardship.
Skip this if you want a tightly plotted story rather than an episodic childhood.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
- What is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn about?
- Francie Nolan grows up poor in early twentieth-century Williamsburg, Brooklyn, finding refuge in books while her loving but unreliable father and hard-working mother struggle to get by.
- Who should read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn?
- Read it if you like tender, detailed coming-of-age novels about family and hardship. Skip it if you want a tightly plotted story rather than an episodic childhood.
- How long and how fast is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn?
- It is a slow-paced, long read of about 509 pages, first published in 1943.
- Does A Tree Grows in Brooklyn have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Death, Addiction.
- Can I borrow A Tree Grows in Brooklyn for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends A Tree Grows in Brooklyn; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
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| Ebook | ||
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| Audiobook | ||
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