A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Even though most of Francie’s school days are dreadful, she does enjoy visits from the jovial music teacher and beautiful art teacher, who visit once a week. Both visiting teachers treated the poor children well, unlike the regular schoolteachers.

Francie is practically “ill with excitement” when she learns to read (166). Books rescue her from her loneliness, and thus Francie promises herself that she will “read one book a day” forever (167). She also spends a lot of time making up games using mathematics.

Walking about one day, Francie chances upon a neighborhood full of old, enchanting houses and a stately school. Francie decides to talk to Johnny about her desire to go that school, knowing that her mother will probably not want to move so she can go there. She approaches him late at night with her request and he promises her he will try to help. The next afternoon, Johnny takes Francie over to the school. When he sees the school, he is convinced that Francie belongs at this better establishment. He devises a plan to lie and say Francie is living with relatives at one of the addresses in the approved school zone. He tells Francie that sometimes you have to do something “wrong” for the greater good.