Orland Park Public Library Online Book Club & Chat discussion

Our fiction pick for May 2020 is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.

A classic book written in 1943, the story follows a young girl named Francie and her family, who live in a poor section of Brooklyn and work every day to make a life for themselves despite all the hardships they face.

I first read this book back when I was a freshman in high school, and while some of that required reading still gives me traumatic flashbacks (I'm looking at you, Brave New World) I have always loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I've had my copy for 20 years now and it was still in good enough shape to read for this.

One of the huge themes of the book is strong women, and there are plenty of complex female characters. I loved Francie when I was younger, and still do, but as an adult I appreciate Sissy (very much the woman before her time and quite funny) and their mother Mary a lot more. On the other hand, I was not a fan of Katie back then and I'm still not - I always found her *too* harsh towards Francie for my liking, even under the circumstances.

Which character was your favorite? Or...which one could you just not stand, and why?

- Kortnee