A profoundly moving novel, and an honest and true ne. It cuts right to the heart of life If you miss A Tree Grows in Brooklyn you ill deny yourself a rich expe-rience It is a poignant and deeply understandin story of childhood and fam-ily relationships. The Nolans lived in the Williamsburg slums of Brooklyn from 1902 until 1919 Their daughter, Francie, and their son, Neely, knew more than their fair share of the privations and sufferings at are the lot of a great city's poor. Primarily this is Francie's book. She is a supe feat of characterization, an imaginative, alert, resourceful child. And Francie's giowing up and beginnings of wisdom are the substance of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.