Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn follows Francie Nolan, a young girl growing up in early 20th-century Williamsburg, navigating poverty, family struggles, and her fierce determination to educate herself. Smith creates a tender, unsentimental portrait of working-class life, celebrating resilience, imagination, and the transformative power of reading. The novel remains a powerful testament to the strength required to transcend difficult circumstances.

WHY WE PICKED IT: Because Smith showed that poverty doesn't diminish dreams, it just makes them harder to reach.

DETAILS: • Author: Betty Smith • Publisher: Harper Perennial • Format: Paperback • Publication Date: August 25, 2005 • ISBN: 9780060736262 • Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days