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The Learning Tree
Photographer, writer, and composer, Gordon Parks has written a moving, true-to-life novel of growing up as a black man in this country in this century. Hailed by critics and readers alike, The Learning Tree tells the extraordinary journey of a family as they struggle to understand the world around them and leave their mark a world that is better for their having been in it.
240 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
27 people are currently reading
2797 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Parks
110 books113 followersGordon Parks was a groundbreaking American photographer, musician, poet, novelist, journalist, activist and film director. He is best remembered for his photo essays for Life Magazine and as the director of the 1971 film, Shaft.
Parks is remembered for his activism, filmmaking, photography, and writings. He was the first African-American to work at Life magazine, and the first to write, direct, and score a Hollywood film. He was profiled in the 1967 documentary "Weapons of Gordon Parks" by American filmmaker Warren Forma. Parks was also a campaigner for civil rights; subject of film and print profiles, notably Half Past Autumn in 2000; and had a gallery exhibit of his photo-related, abstract oil paintings in 1981. He was also a co-founder of Essence magazine, and one of the early contributors to the "blaxploitation" genre.
Parks also performed as a jazz pianist. His first job was as a piano player in a brothel. His song "No Love," composed in another brothel, was performed over a national radio broadcast by Larry Funk and his orchestra in the early 30s. He composed Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1953) at the encouragement of black American conductor Dean Dixon and his wife, pianist Vivian and with the help of composer Henry Brant. In 1989, he composed and choreographed Martin, a ballet dedicated to civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
Beginning in the 1960s, Parks branched out into literature, writing The Learning Tree (1963), several books of poetry illustrated with his own photographs, and three volumes of memoirs.In 1981, Parks turned to fiction with Shannon, a novel about Irish immigrants fighting their way up the social ladder in turbulent early 20th-century New York. Parks' writing accomplishments include novels, poetry, autobiography, and non-fiction including photographic instructional manuals and filmmaking books. Parks also wrote a poem called "The Funeral".
Parks received over 20 honorary doctorates in his lifetime. He died of cancer at the age of 93.
Parks is remembered for his activism, filmmaking, photography, and writings. He was the first African-American to work at Life magazine, and the first to write, direct, and score a Hollywood film. He was profiled in the 1967 documentary "Weapons of Gordon Parks" by American filmmaker Warren Forma. Parks was also a campaigner for civil rights; subject of film and print profiles, notably Half Past Autumn in 2000; and had a gallery exhibit of his photo-related, abstract oil paintings in 1981. He was also a co-founder of Essence magazine, and one of the early contributors to the "blaxploitation" genre.
Parks also performed as a jazz pianist. His first job was as a piano player in a brothel. His song "No Love," composed in another brothel, was performed over a national radio broadcast by Larry Funk and his orchestra in the early 30s. He composed Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1953) at the encouragement of black American conductor Dean Dixon and his wife, pianist Vivian and with the help of composer Henry Brant. In 1989, he composed and choreographed Martin, a ballet dedicated to civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
Beginning in the 1960s, Parks branched out into literature, writing The Learning Tree (1963), several books of poetry illustrated with his own photographs, and three volumes of memoirs.In 1981, Parks turned to fiction with Shannon, a novel about Irish immigrants fighting their way up the social ladder in turbulent early 20th-century New York. Parks' writing accomplishments include novels, poetry, autobiography, and non-fiction including photographic instructional manuals and filmmaking books. Parks also wrote a poem called "The Funeral".
Parks received over 20 honorary doctorates in his lifetime. He died of cancer at the age of 93.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
June 20, 2021
An underrated classic.
A Black classic.
Despite its low page count, this book packs a punch. Newt Winger is just a 14 year old trying to find his way in the world. It's tough enough being a teenager but add being a Black boy living through segregation and tough becomes almost impossible.
The Learning Tree is described as a novel from life and I think that fits because I felt like I was following Newt as he went through his regular life. The writing is perfection. I felt like I truly got to know Newt.
The Learning Tree is not only a great novel but it's also a good novel. Gordon Parks was one of the best photographers ever and I think his writing is right on par with his photography.
A Must Read!
A Black classic.
Despite its low page count, this book packs a punch. Newt Winger is just a 14 year old trying to find his way in the world. It's tough enough being a teenager but add being a Black boy living through segregation and tough becomes almost impossible.
The Learning Tree is described as a novel from life and I think that fits because I felt like I was following Newt as he went through his regular life. The writing is perfection. I felt like I truly got to know Newt.
The Learning Tree is not only a great novel but it's also a good novel. Gordon Parks was one of the best photographers ever and I think his writing is right on par with his photography.
A Must Read!
January 10, 2012
I consider this to be a very underrated book. Everyone talks about To Kill a Mocking Bird, but I feel this is much more powerful. I never would have read The Learning Tree if it wasn't for my book club. This is a coming of age story for Newt Winger, a young black teen, in the 1920s. The major theme of this book is integrity - standing up for what is right even if it might hurt you. I highly recommend everyone to read this book.
July 30, 2024
10 Stars! 🌟
What can we say about Gordon Parks? Honestly, not enough…
Gordon Parks, a Legendary activist, composer, photographer and author who Blessed the world with Newt Winger in ‘The Learning Tree’. Originally published in 1963, known to be Gordon Parks’ first novel as a semi-autobiographical, coming-of-age story of a young African-American boy in Kansas during the 1920s.
Years later, Parks also produced The film adaptation of this novel. I remember falling in love with it; watching it countless times as a young girl. It became my Favorite movie then and one that I still watch from time to time…
Newt (Newton) Winger is so very different from his friends and other children around Kansas. He has a calmness about him and disregards the racial prejudices around them in those days. Yet, as Newt grows with learning important lessons in life, he becomes stronger with sharing his feelings and communicating to adults. Gordon Parks meaningfully develops his character into a very courageously brave young man… very dissimilar from how readers met him, initially.
There are many focal points along this story which enlighten Newt’s growth. One of my favorite is the chapter with his teacher, Ms. McClinock and principal, Mr. Hall. He finally finds his voice to speak the thoughts of the other students. His teacher becomes shocked because she has been able to dishearten students for so long without anyone speaking against it. But, Newt’s bravery wins the support of principal, Hall.
This is an excerpt regarding Arcella that heavily weighed in my thoughts and had to share…
“Wonder why she did it? Must have lost her head for a minute…thought she could go to the other side of the tracks for good…Chauncey’s big car and his money and his big house and everything…but who knows, maybe she really liked him…maybe he really liked her…she was pretty enough for anybody to like…only thing wrong for her with Chauncey was her color.” 😢
This novel will always leave me with a Bittersweet Feeling! Love.Love.Love 🌼
What can we say about Gordon Parks? Honestly, not enough…
Gordon Parks, a Legendary activist, composer, photographer and author who Blessed the world with Newt Winger in ‘The Learning Tree’. Originally published in 1963, known to be Gordon Parks’ first novel as a semi-autobiographical, coming-of-age story of a young African-American boy in Kansas during the 1920s.
Years later, Parks also produced The film adaptation of this novel. I remember falling in love with it; watching it countless times as a young girl. It became my Favorite movie then and one that I still watch from time to time…
Newt (Newton) Winger is so very different from his friends and other children around Kansas. He has a calmness about him and disregards the racial prejudices around them in those days. Yet, as Newt grows with learning important lessons in life, he becomes stronger with sharing his feelings and communicating to adults. Gordon Parks meaningfully develops his character into a very courageously brave young man… very dissimilar from how readers met him, initially.
There are many focal points along this story which enlighten Newt’s growth. One of my favorite is the chapter with his teacher, Ms. McClinock and principal, Mr. Hall. He finally finds his voice to speak the thoughts of the other students. His teacher becomes shocked because she has been able to dishearten students for so long without anyone speaking against it. But, Newt’s bravery wins the support of principal, Hall.
This is an excerpt regarding Arcella that heavily weighed in my thoughts and had to share…
“Wonder why she did it? Must have lost her head for a minute…thought she could go to the other side of the tracks for good…Chauncey’s big car and his money and his big house and everything…but who knows, maybe she really liked him…maybe he really liked her…she was pretty enough for anybody to like…only thing wrong for her with Chauncey was her color.” 😢
This novel will always leave me with a Bittersweet Feeling! Love.Love.Love 🌼
February 7, 2008
I've read the whole book several times and pieces of it ten or more times. Parks was an underrated writer of superb quality. It's another classic to be that is often overlooked.
October 10, 2007
Great piece of work. Gordon Parks does a great job winding through not just racial issues, but prohibition, class structures and coming of age.
Much better than the movie!!!
Much better than the movie!!!
June 9, 2008
The Learning Tree is a fictional study of a black family in a small Kansas town in the 1920s. Newt, the protagonist, is an intelligent young man who faces many racial prejudices. Like most characters who faces these issues, he dealt with them in pride. However, he gets into a difficult situation when he witnesses a murder. He has to choose between coming clean or hiding in the dark because a man is being framed for the crime. Doing so will forever change his life. It's either he live with the guilt or he frees himself from it. I would recommend you to read this novel if you would like to find out what his decision was. I guess everyone of us has in a way face a difficult situation and has two options. Will he choose the right one? Which is the right choice to make?
February 14, 2021
First book to make me cry!
April 21, 2013
So happy I finally took the time to read this book. Even though it's set almost 100 years ago, the themes & elements are still as relevant now as they were then. I think everything Black male has a portion of Newt Winger in their souls. Incredible story by my hero, Gordon Parks.
July 3, 2012
Had to read this my junior year in high school.. 16 years later it's still one of my favorite books.. It changed my life
May 30, 2013
First, this was a re-read. I absolutely love this book. I've read it a million times and have seen the movie just as many times. In my opinion, it's a really brilliant book.
April 14, 2014
i read this book over 25 years ago and remember it like it was yesterday. definitely one of the best books that ive read in my life. definitely impactful.
November 30, 2013
This was an absolutely fantastic book to read!
This book is suppose to be semi-autobiographical. If you know a bit about Gordon Parks and his life then you will see some of his life written into the book. How much of it was romanticized or fictionalized I don't know but that question did not deter me from enjoying this book. The pace is very quick with action in every chapter. You would think this is like diary with one chapter representing one day but the book really spans a couple of years of time.
The cover says that this books tells what it's like to be black in a white man's world. Let me assure you that is exactly what Parks did. He covered everything from the slang, to daily speech, to race tensions and bigotry, to simple daily living like making breakfast and he did it with authority and gravity. Nothing was whitewashed or held back.
I had a hard time grasping what time period the book was set in. It's not a spoiler if I tell you that it was set in the 1920s and that makes sense when I think about it. Parks himself would have been around 8-12 years old during that time. The characters he writes are slightly older than that. Although the calendar years he writes about is long behind us many of the same issues remain. This is a book that should be read by both young and old today as a reminder of just how far we have come but still how much farther we need to go. Although it doesn't explain the roots of our racial tensions (not intended to anyways) it reminds us of their existence.
This was Parks' first book and for someone who never finished school he wrote a phenomenal book. It shows that everyone who wants to can write if their belly burns hot enough to do it. Yes, his editor, Genevieve Young (who he later married), probably had some strong influence here and helped him shore up the text but the story belongs to Parks no matter what.
Go out and read this book!!
This book is suppose to be semi-autobiographical. If you know a bit about Gordon Parks and his life then you will see some of his life written into the book. How much of it was romanticized or fictionalized I don't know but that question did not deter me from enjoying this book. The pace is very quick with action in every chapter. You would think this is like diary with one chapter representing one day but the book really spans a couple of years of time.
The cover says that this books tells what it's like to be black in a white man's world. Let me assure you that is exactly what Parks did. He covered everything from the slang, to daily speech, to race tensions and bigotry, to simple daily living like making breakfast and he did it with authority and gravity. Nothing was whitewashed or held back.
I had a hard time grasping what time period the book was set in. It's not a spoiler if I tell you that it was set in the 1920s and that makes sense when I think about it. Parks himself would have been around 8-12 years old during that time. The characters he writes are slightly older than that. Although the calendar years he writes about is long behind us many of the same issues remain. This is a book that should be read by both young and old today as a reminder of just how far we have come but still how much farther we need to go. Although it doesn't explain the roots of our racial tensions (not intended to anyways) it reminds us of their existence.
This was Parks' first book and for someone who never finished school he wrote a phenomenal book. It shows that everyone who wants to can write if their belly burns hot enough to do it. Yes, his editor, Genevieve Young (who he later married), probably had some strong influence here and helped him shore up the text but the story belongs to Parks no matter what.
Go out and read this book!!
February 14, 2015
This felt so familiar and so tragic. Though Newt's story takes place in the mid 1920s, there are some eery similarities in current racial divides. Still.
I didn't realize that Gordon Parks wrote a book until I read about him after seeing his photography exhibit at the High Museum. And Shaft, I remember seeing Shaft when it came on tv for the Saturday night movie special in the mid 70s (which Parks directed). So how does one person become so talented in so many areas?
I'm in awe of Gordon Parks' vision... his heart.... his passion. This book had to have truths about him as he grew up. It felt so heartfelt and honest and I love the way Newt and his family understood and worked to accept the way things were/are for black people living in a white world.
I didn't realize that Gordon Parks wrote a book until I read about him after seeing his photography exhibit at the High Museum. And Shaft, I remember seeing Shaft when it came on tv for the Saturday night movie special in the mid 70s (which Parks directed). So how does one person become so talented in so many areas?
I'm in awe of Gordon Parks' vision... his heart.... his passion. This book had to have truths about him as he grew up. It felt so heartfelt and honest and I love the way Newt and his family understood and worked to accept the way things were/are for black people living in a white world.
December 9, 2011
I read this book when I was in high school and did a paper on it! Next to "To Kill a Mockingbird," this was another coming of age story told beautifully by Gordon Parks. There were many sections of the book that angered me, but I realize it was the sign of the times, for when this was written. I recommend this book for all reading audiences. Lots of life's lessons to be learned in this book!
May 29, 2012
Fantastic read, a touching and at times heartbreaking human study of Newt and his family living with all of the challenges a black family might encounter in Kansas in the 1920s. A great coming of age story written with sensitivity and strength by the talented author Gordon Parks
September 16, 2015
The learning tree was one of the most eye opening books I have ever read about the racism and injustices that black children experienced in the south. I was very young when I read the book but it had a lasting affect on me. Very well written.
Want to read
May 30, 2010TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2006
The Learning Tree challenged
A member of the Mobile county school board in Alabama is seeking to remove Gordon Parks' book, The Learning Tree, from this summer's reading list for upcoming ninth-graders at LeFlore High School in Mobile, reports the Alabama Press-Register. Fleet Belle, who says he has read sections of the book, wants it removed because of its "inappropriate and unacceptable" language.
The Learning Tree challenged
A member of the Mobile county school board in Alabama is seeking to remove Gordon Parks' book, The Learning Tree, from this summer's reading list for upcoming ninth-graders at LeFlore High School in Mobile, reports the Alabama Press-Register. Fleet Belle, who says he has read sections of the book, wants it removed because of its "inappropriate and unacceptable" language.
August 5, 2016
I read this book for a book club and really enjoyed it. The author was from Fort Scott which is an area of Kansas of which I am familiar with the area. I could see these things happening in the area even much later in history. The setting was a fictional town but I believe that is a combination of a couple of towns. Although you did not see racial issues a much in small town America it was there and this is a good reflection of how things were. I feel this was a good book to read.
October 8, 2024
The violence in The Learning Tree, a 1960s novel by Gordon Parks, wasn’t graphic or gratuitous, but it was pervasive. It also was expected and accepted by the characters as much as changes in the weather. Shootings, vehicle crashes, fights, domestic violence, and beatings. This violence that was ubiquitous in Newt Winger’s life is so foreign to me, but I didn’t grow up black and wicked poor in rural 1920s Kansas.
The story covers four years of the Winger Family’s life and artfully includes intolerance and discrimination, which were as ubiquitous as the violence, as well as glimmers of hope, empathy, and acceptance. All this drama happens in Cherokee Flats, a small town with a name that speaks to more historic tragedy left unsaid.
I highly recommend this novel as a vignette of the American experience. It strikes me as a great companion to The Grapes of Wrath. It also recalled Ralph Ellison’s “Battle Royale” and John Grisham’s A Time to Kill. It’s a window to different times—the 1920s and the 1960s when Parks wrote it—but also a window (and a warning) for what hasn’t changed in the intervening years. It was an engaging read from start to finish.
The story covers four years of the Winger Family’s life and artfully includes intolerance and discrimination, which were as ubiquitous as the violence, as well as glimmers of hope, empathy, and acceptance. All this drama happens in Cherokee Flats, a small town with a name that speaks to more historic tragedy left unsaid.
I highly recommend this novel as a vignette of the American experience. It strikes me as a great companion to The Grapes of Wrath. It also recalled Ralph Ellison’s “Battle Royale” and John Grisham’s A Time to Kill. It’s a window to different times—the 1920s and the 1960s when Parks wrote it—but also a window (and a warning) for what hasn’t changed in the intervening years. It was an engaging read from start to finish.
December 19, 2022
I love Gordon Parks’ photography which was a massive deal during the civil era of 50’s and 60’s and also know of his work directing the first 2 Shaft films.
But as a novelist I never had a clue of this work but sure glad I found out. What a book, The Learning Tree ranks alongside another coming of age classic set in the south To Kill A Mockingbird.
The book focus’ on a 14 year old called Newt. His day to day life in the south with family, friends, first love’s, enemy’s and situations.
A great court case towards the end plays out like a great stage drama.
An absolute must read!
But as a novelist I never had a clue of this work but sure glad I found out. What a book, The Learning Tree ranks alongside another coming of age classic set in the south To Kill A Mockingbird.
The book focus’ on a 14 year old called Newt. His day to day life in the south with family, friends, first love’s, enemy’s and situations.
A great court case towards the end plays out like a great stage drama.
An absolute must read!
June 2, 2015
Going in on a classic, a definitive African American novel that actually turned into the first motion picture directed by an African American: the incomparable Gordon Parks-hmm can’t believe I have never read this one and had to be led to this one by the library volunteer recommended reading list as this is a kind of parallel to the infamous Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird…and sigh sadly I have never read or heard of this story as I would have loved to have gotten these amazing life lessons early… so wow fourteen year old little Newt Winger goes through a lot and deals with some pretty powerful things **spoilers **raising some powerful questions…he questions his religion, loses his virginity and his first love, works with the circus and has an extremely poignant fighting scene I truly enjoyed it reminded me somehow of Invisible Man battle royale scene which is something for me to be such a memorable fight scene..Newt also witnesses a murder, evades a bully and and loses his mother so his story hits hard and deep just got alittle dense at parts...so I will talk alittle about the story as there really isn’t a bold plot just a boy growing up in Kansas around the 1920s with his family and friends, there are some great stories in between and then the main event when Newt’s integrity and morals are put in question and the book teaches you about yourself..What would you do if something you saw and no one else did could save someone and damage an entire community? I have to say this was just a moving scenario, not in my opinion the most drawn out but moving nonetheless, the entire community is a character and you learn with Newt and for that I do appreciate this read, not yet a five star for me but a favorite and one I will make sure to pass on to anyone who could use a lesson on integrity and courage, race acceptance and justice. Yes glad I spent some time with this and my coworker said she saw this in 1969 and still remembers it, so yea its special, good times…next year’s Black History push for real..
July 16, 2015
This groundbreaking novel must have been shocking in 1963 when it was first published. Alas, while some of the most obvious wrongs of segregation have been righted, the violent life led by the black characters in The Learning Tree is all too familiar (still) today. Gordon Parks' Cherokee Flats is at once a more innocent place than today's equivalent, and sadly similar.
Parks is not a great writer, but he moves the story along briskly and gives us the interior lives of most of the characters by simply summarizing their thoughts. The result is like a newspaper account of town happenings, rather than a novel content to witness events through one character's eyes. It feels more like the ideas for a novel rather than a novel fully realized. Read it for the glimpse into black aspirations in the early sixties, and the realities that kept them from achieving them far too frequently.
Parks is not a great writer, but he moves the story along briskly and gives us the interior lives of most of the characters by simply summarizing their thoughts. The result is like a newspaper account of town happenings, rather than a novel content to witness events through one character's eyes. It feels more like the ideas for a novel rather than a novel fully realized. Read it for the glimpse into black aspirations in the early sixties, and the realities that kept them from achieving them far too frequently.
October 18, 2014
A coming of age novel about a young boy living in Kansas in the 1920s. Mr. Parks does not shy away from the unflinching racism young Newt experiences, such as his teacher telling him not to bother with college because he's only going to be a porter anyway. Newt is also an unfortunate witness to a murder, and must grapple with the decision to come forward, fearing the explosion of already-simmering racial tension. This book has been banned in some schools due to extensive use of the n-word, as well as some other language inappropriate to a school setting. I think if it wasn't for that, this book would be required reading along with To Kill A Mockingbird.
November 17, 2013
If you read this in high school, as I did, you may not remember everything by the time it's half a lifetime later... but that opening where Newt gets some barn sex during a thunderstorm from an older teenager.... Goddamn.
From the director of Shaft by the way. Seriously it's a good book, I just wish I remembered it better. It had some good life lessons and coming of age stuff. It's what you get when you grow up in Teaneck, NJ.
From the director of Shaft by the way. Seriously it's a good book, I just wish I remembered it better. It had some good life lessons and coming of age stuff. It's what you get when you grow up in Teaneck, NJ.
January 4, 2014
A good novel to pair with Harper Lee's, *To Kill A Mockingbird.* Vividly narrated action, this is a realistic, troubling, coming-of-age story filled with believable young characters and a classic cast of adults representing the human moral spectrum. Great storytelling centered around a Black farming family in Kansas. Original cover text: "How it feels to be black in the white man's world...The Learning Tree, A novel from life by Gordon Parks."
August 2, 2016
The Learning Tree is in Mt. Airy is named after this Gordon Parks' semi-autobiographical novel. These are the early teenage years of his life in a viciously segregated town in Kansas where his parents grew crops, did odd jobs and where his mother always knew that Gordon-above all his other siblings-was destined for greatness. This is an excellent quick read novel with the backdrop of race-relations, domestic violence and teenage boy struggles.
October 18, 2016
Not a bad little novel. For a small town, there sure were a lot of things that happened --especially violent things. But this is a good insight into the way African Americans were treated in the early 20th century. For that reason, it was kind of a sad book. Although this book was just fine, I still prefer Gordon Parks's photography -- it speaks more deeply to me than anything he wrote in this book. If you've never seen his photography, I encourage you to do so.
August 31, 2008
I did not like this book at all. I wasn't dead bored reading it, as I was with Grapes of Wrath, but I did not like the story, and the part of the story that was somewhat decent, the relationship of Arcella and Newt, was left unresolved. The plot really seemed all over the place and the story is just not one that appeals to my age group.
August 2, 2013
Lots of time has passed since our Junior High English class, and I've forgotten all about the plot. I was surprised back in those fabulous 1970s how much I enjoyed book we were assigned, like this one; later I learned about Parks; work as a photojournalist for Life magazine. I'd like to reread this together with a book of Parks' photos.
Classmates: was it 7th or 8th Grade?
Recommended.
Classmates: was it 7th or 8th Grade?
Recommended.
December 1, 2008
an unique portrait of a black family in kansas. the story pulls no punches showing the ubiquitous violence their community faces. puts me in mind of both the adventures of tom sawyer and roll of thunder, hear my cry. ignore the horrible cover.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews