"A poignant and deeply understanding story of childhood and family relationships.[Smith's] book has light and air in it, comedy and pathos, and an underlying rhythm pulsing to the surge and flow of humanity itself. No matter what happens to the Nolans, they never lose their awareness of the sweetness and wonder of life." -- Orville Prescott, New York Times "Betty Smith was a born storyteller." -- USA Today "One of the books of the century." -- New York Public Library "A profoundly moving novel, and an honest and true one. It cuts right to the heart of life. If you miss A Tree Grows in Brooklyn you will deny yourself a rich experience.

" -- New York Times "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn deserves to be thought of as one of the greatest American novels." -- The New Yorker "One of the most cherished of American novels.It is the Dickensian novel of New York that we didn't think we had." -- New York Times.