"Francie Nolan, avid reader, penny-candy connoisseur, and adroit observer of human nature, has much to ponder in colorful, turn-of-the-century Brooklyn. She grows up with a sweet, tragic father, a severely realistic mother, and an aunt who gives her love too freely--to men, and to a brother who will always be the favored child. Francie learns early the meaning of hunger and the value of a penny. She is her father's child--romantic and hungry for beauty. But she is her mother's child, too--deeply practical and in constant need of truth. Like the Tree of Heaven that grows out of cement or through cellar gratings, resourceful Francie struggles against all odds to survive and thrive."

Everyone says this is good, so I've gotta have it! Found it at a library book sale.

12/9/06 -- Loaned to Toni.

7/16/07 -- Returned to me.

Describing this as a coming-of-age novel is quite accurate. It's basically a story about a girl growing up in one of the poorer regions of Brooklyn in the early 1900's, but it's not by any means a depressing story. There's enough humor interspersed to keep it from being too serious, but it's a novel that will undoubtedly pull a few heartstrings. It's a fairly long one, but the writing is genuine and true, and I'm a little miffed by the fact that it was published way back in 1943, as it reads very much like a present-day novel.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sending off to PBS member. Enjoy! :')

You have found a BookCrossing book! Please take a brief moment to journal your thoughts upon reading this book. Then, if you'd like, re-release the book (to a friend, a stranger, or back out into the wild). That way you can track its travels & its readers throughout the world!