A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: Genre 1 key example

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is first and foremost a Bildungsroman, or coming-of-age novel. The story follows Francine, its central character, as she grows up in the tenements of Brooklyn. Here, she experiences both the joys and profound disappointments life has to offer. As a young child, Francie imagines that anything is possible despite her material circumstances. She envisions that she'll one day have a vast library in her home, resembling the public library she so loves:

Yes, when I get big and have my own home, no plush chairs and lace curtains for me. And no rubber plants. I'll have a desk like this in my parlor and white walls and a clean green blotter every Saturday night and a row of shining yellow pencils always sharpened for writing and a golden-brown bowl with a flower or some leaves or berries always in it and books ... books ... books. 

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