Day: January 3, 2026

Book Review by Ikshan R.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
(1943) 496 pages

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith, is a timeless coming-of-age novel that beautifully captures the resilience and dreams of young Francie Nolan as she grows up in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood in the early 20th century. First published in 1943, the novel has since become a classic, offering readers a touching and realistic glimpse into the lives of a poor but determined immigrant family.

The story centers around Francie, an imaginative and observant girl, and her family, who endure hardships, poverty, and prejudice. Through Francie’s perspective, we see her deep-seated desire for education and self-improvement, her struggle with social and economic obstacles, and her complex feelings toward her parents—her idealistic, alcoholic father, Johnny, and her strong-willed, practical mother, Katie. The novel poignantly depicts the tension between Francie’s romantic idealism and the harsh realities she faces, creating a character who is not only sympathetic but inspiring.

Betty Smith’s writing is evocative and richly descriptive, capturing both the beauty and harshness of Brooklyn. Her portrayal of Francie’s life is honest and unfiltered, showing the small, daily triumphs and tragedies of a family trying to survive in a world that often seems stacked against them. The “tree of heaven,” a symbol of perseverance and hope that grows in the most unlikely of places, serves as a powerful metaphor for Francie and her family’s determination to thrive.

While the novel is steeped in the specific time and place of early 1900s Brooklyn, its themes of hope, resilience, and the pursuit of a better life are universal. Francie’s journey resonates with readers across generations, making A Tree Grows in Brooklyn a profound exploration of family, poverty, and personal growth. It’s a moving, beautifully written story that offers both heartbreak and hope, and it continues to be a beloved novel for its vivid portrayal of the human spirit.

Movie Review by Brandon H.

Green Book (2018)
Rated PG-13, 2 hours 10 minutes

Directed by Peter Farelly, the film Green Book takes a deep dive into the relationships between white and African American people in the 1960s. It is based on the true story of the travels of African American pianist Don Shirely and his bodyguard driver Tony Lip as they both venture down to the American South for an 8-week musical tour.

The movie starts out in the 1960s, a time of racial segregation, with famous black pianist Don Shirley in need of a driver to take him throughout the deep American South for an 8-week long musical tour. Finding out about a reliable bouncer Tony Lip, Shirley decides to hire him as his driver for the tour. Their relationship with each other develops as they go on with the tour, showing the moments of struggle and happiness along with entertaining scenes that give off a good laugh.

Farelly displays the strengthening of the friendship between Tony and Don throughout their journey. He shows the evolution of the two and how they gradually accept each other and use any means possible to keep the other safe. Additionally, Farelly’s depiction of the main character’s friendship generates a powerful message to its audience: race isn’t the determining factor of a person’s relationships. Farelly perfectly demonstrates this message through creating a sense of uniqueness in Tony and Don’s relationship as they appear as the only interracial group within the entire movie. Not only that, Farelly intertwines the character’s strengthening bonds with the ideas of combatting the harsh rules of racism segregating whites from African Americans. Overall, he reminds us that we are in the end human. It doesn’t matter if someone is of any ethnicity other than white, we are all people and we should treat and respect one another equally.