A Tree Grows in Brooklyn #37

I didn't have a choice.  I had to read this book once and have to reread it now.  No, I'm not taking a class.  No, I'm not attempting to reread everything I've ever read.  No, I'm not crazy.  But I can take a hint.  Here's what's been happening...

As a voting member of the Kentucky Bluegrass
Panel  for middle school, I was reintroduced to this classic I read in high school back during the Spring.  In one of the nominees, the main character adores this book and reads it every year.  Numerous times.  I had forgotten just how good the story is...(I have to admit that I skipped over a bunch of details when required to read it...but not this time!) 

In June, when it was time to place my annual "Out of Print" tee shirt order, this was the featured title.  Coincidence?  Perhaps.  Needless to say, I ordered it.

When it was time to return to work in July, I had an urge to clean out the book storage closet and what did I find?  You guessed it...30 copies of this book.  Untouched.  Spines unbroken.  What a waste, said I!!  I should read this with girls this year!  

Look at this gorgeous book jacket that the shirt was created from!  So much lovelier than the copies our library has.  Ugho! 

I was beginning to suspect that the universe wanted me to read this book again...so I picked it up and decided to reread it.  You know, just in case anyone commented on my shirt.  I needed to be able to give them an honest, up-to-date opinion on Betty Smith's classic novel. And then the final straw...I was Googling for one of my blog posts and BAM!...out of nowhere came the exact book cover I had a classroom set of. (It's not an appealing cover.  I knew I'd have trouble "selling" it to girls.) What in the world is this book doing in my Google feed?  I wasn't looking for it!  Okay, Okay, Okay, I said aloud to no one in particular.  I'll have a book event.  Just for girls.  

So I took a cue from one of our reading teachers and decided to hold a "Book Breakfast" for girls who would accept the challenge to read this classic with me.  I "sold" it to about 25 6-7-8 graders and have only lost 3-4 due to the length alone.  430 pages is daunting for some readers.  But those who stick with it will be delighted by Francie Nolan and her adventures in Brooklyn .  I've already shared a few scenes with my 8th grade classes and they've hee-hawed and chuckled and their eyes have misted up as I've explained Francie's days growing up as a poor child in a poor neighborhood.  Her courage is admirable.  Her strength is amazing.  Her story is one that any teenage girl can relate to.  It's amazing that Smith could capture adolescence in one girl whose story spans a century.  I believe that the girls who stick with Francie and finish her story will not only learn more about life in Brooklyn, New York during the 1920s, but will learn more about themselves as teenage girls.  Their questions, concerns, experiences are not unique.  They need to know they're not alone.

If you haven't read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, you should find yourself a copy soon.  I'm betting the public library has a copy you can borrow.  I have several on our middle school library shelf.  But I suggest you purchase your own copy.  To keep.

And don't let the first 175 pages stop you.  The details are there for a reason.   Give Francie a chance to tell her story.

It's one you won't soon forget.
Happy Reading!
RC