Journal Entry 1 by lesezeichen from Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Wednesday, September 08, 2004

"The American classic about a young girl's coming of age at the turn of the century"

A wonderful book, one of my favourite BC discoveries and one of my favourite literary characters. Francie is really amazing in the way she makes her way in life in spite of the unfavourable circumstances. The setting - Brooklyn at the beginning of the last century - is wonderfully brought to life. The book is beautifully written and touching. I did not know about this classic before coming across the following bookring:
A Tree grows in Brooklyn - Vivdripper's bookring

Now it is time for my own copy to travel!
 

Journal Entry 2 by lesezeichen from Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Wednesday, September 08, 2004

Participants of the bookring:

- lys-is-trata (Hamburg, Germany) international o.k.
- suzy26 (Zuid Holland, NL) international o.k.
- metropolitan (Sao Paulo, Brasil) US/Canada
- eureka79 (Vermont, USA)
- sherria (Conneticut, USA) international o.k.
- tmtdino (Pennsylvania, USA)
- teenage-faerie (Tennessy, USA) US/Canada
- tuff517 (Texas, USA) international o.k.
- sherlockfan (Wellington, New Zealand)
- discoverylover (Wellington, New Zealand)
- boreal (Dunedin, New Zealand)
- fleebo (Sidney, Australia) international o.k.
- meliluc (Toulouse, France) international o.k.
- concertina8 (Vienna, Austria)
- redhouse (Suffolk, UK)

edit 15.09. sent out to lys-is-trata
 

Journal Entry 3 by Lys-is-trata from Wulfsen, Niedersachsen Germany on Wednesday, September 22, 2004

Received the book during the weekend, have started reading today.

Edit October 04, 2004
---------------------
Wow, really one of the best books I've ever read. Quite amazing how Betty Smith is able to evoke the time so clearly. Unfortunately, my vocabulary was not quite sufficient for this type of detailed descriptions and so I guess I will have to buy this book in German.

To me, this is really an excellent piece of litereature.

Will leave Hamburg to travel to suzy26 within the next days. 

Journal Entry 4 by Suzy26 from Delft, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Saturday, October 09, 2004

Found this book in my mailbox today. Thank you ever so much for sending it to me Lys-is-trata and of course many thanks to lesezeichen for ringing it. I think I am going to like this book, but I will let you know once I have read it. 

Journal Entry 5 by Suzy26 from Delft, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Sunday, October 31, 2004

Boy, did I enjoy this book. I loved reading every 483 pages of it. I cannot believe I had never heard of this book before. It was written as long ago as 1943! Francie Nolan is such a resourceful and tenacious little girl, growing up poor in the Williamsburg slums of Brooklyn, NY. Her longing for education and particularly for books is very recognizable of course. It breaks your heart to read that she is copying a library book in a little notebook of hers just so as she can have a book of her own, sort of.

From that time on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again, never miss the lack of intimate friends. Books became her friends and there was one for every mood. There was poetry for quiet companionship. There was adventure when she tired of quiet hours. There would be love stories when she came into adolescence and when she wanted to feel a closeness to someone she could read a biography. On that day, when she first knew she could read, she made a vow to read one book a day as long as she lived.

As soon as I have the address, I will send this book on to Metropolitan. 

Journal Entry 6 by Suzy26 from Delft, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Monday, November 08, 2004

Book was sent to Metropolitan on November 2nd. 

Journal Entry 7 by Metropolitan from São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil on Wednesday, November 17, 2004

The book arrived today. I'll start it as soon as I finish the ring book I'm reading now. Thanks for the ring, lesezeichen and thanks for sending it to me, Suzy26. Thanks for the lovely postcard, too! 

Journal Entry 8 by Metropolitan from São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil on Friday, December 17, 2004

What a lovely book! I really didn't want it to end, even after 483 pages. I wanted to keep on sharing Francie's new life and experiences. I believe this is one of the best books I've read this year.

It is now ready to be mailed to eureka79. 

Journal Entry 9 by Metropolitan from São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil on Monday, December 27, 2004

Sorry I took so long to mail this, but lines at the post office were huge at Christmas time. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 10 by eureka79 from Vernon, Vermont USA on Monday, January 24, 2005

Received this book from Metropolitan with a cute little smily face note :) Will begin reading after I finish my current book. I continue to hear good things about this classic.

*****************************************************************************
This was a really wonderful book. Touching, sad, happy, heartwarming...Wonderful. I plan to look for a copy of my own as it quickly became one of my favorites. 

Journal Entry 11 by Sherria from Stamford, Connecticut USA on Monday, February 28, 2005

Arrived this weekend. Perfect timing, as I just finished another bookring yestarday, so I'll be starting this one tonite. Thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 12 by Sherria from Stamford, Connecticut USA on Saturday, March 05, 2005

What a wonderful book! Thanks so much for sharing it!

I really enjoyed the writing in this novel - the characters were richly drawn and the setting was vividly described. The author managed to make what could have been a very depressing story into something wonderful. There was no apparent judgement about the people in the story, just wonderful descriptions of very realistic characters.

I loved watching Francie and her family grow and struggle and triumph in little ways, despite all the difficulties they faced. I didn't want it to end....I want to know what happens with Francie and Ben, Katie and McShane, Neely, and to see how little Annie Laurie grows up. I want to continue to follow the lives of Sissy and Evy and their families. I want to learn about the rest of their triumphs and disappointments. Does Neely ever go to Medical School? What does Francie do with her education? Is Laurie's life all sunshine and roses just because she's going to grow up with advantages that Francie and Neely didn't have? So many possibilities....

Thanks so much for sharing this book lesezeichen. I never would have run across it without BXing, and the generosity of the people here who share their books.

This is ready to move on to the next person. However, I can't find a bookshelf for tmtdino. Going to confer with lesezeichen to decide what to do and move it on ASAP.

*edit: this went out to tmtdino30 on 3/7/05 via media mail* 

Journal Entry 13 by tmtdino30 from Nanticoke, Pennsylvania USA on Monday, March 14, 2005

Just recieved today in the mail. Cant wait to start reading it. Thanks Teresa Updated 03/24/2005- Send it out to teenage-faerie today.
 

Journal Entry 14 by teenage-faerie from Dandridge, Tennessee USA on Wednesday, March 30, 2005

will begin asap! 

Journal Entry 15 by teenage-faerie from Dandridge, Tennessee USA on Monday, April 11, 2005

i'm going to go ahead and pass this book on. i just couldnt get into it at all and i really dont have enough time for a "thick" book right now! 

Journal Entry 16 by teenage-faerie at Bookring in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (4/20/2005 UTC) at Bookring in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

sending to tuff517 today! 

Journal Entry 17 by tuff517 from Elk Grove Village, Illinois USA on Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Received this today, I'll throw it right into to my bookring whirlwind. 

Journal Entry 18 by tuff517 from Elk Grove Village, Illinois USA on Monday, May 16, 2005

This is a great book. Francie is definitely a character I can identify with, outcast from other children and accepting of her place in the family. I always enjoy books that focus on the family relationship, the perceptions of each member of their place in it, and interactions between members. I'm sending this book on to sherlockfan and hopefully it'll get there before vacation time! 

Journal Entry 19 by tuff517 from Elk Grove Village, Illinois USA on Thursday, August 04, 2005

Just an update: apparently this book did NOT make it to Sherlockfan before vacation began. Hopefully it'll be waiting at home and isn't lost. 

Journal Entry 20 by Sherlockfan from Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Wednesday, August 10, 2005

It has taken a while to register as I've been overseas and only arrived back Monday 8th August. Found 5 books waiting for me with the kind friend who was checking our Post Office mail box during our absence.
Can't promise how quickly I'll read it but will try to be as speedy as possible.
 

Journal Entry 21 by Sherlockfan from Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Tuesday, August 23, 2005

I so thoroughly enjoyed this book. Just like a lot of others in this circle, I'd never have found it but for bookcrossing so a big "thank you" to everyone involved in this ring.
Loved the characters and would really like there to be a sequel. Does anyone know if betty smith has continued this saga?

Discoverylover lives close so I'll phone her this evening. She, incidently was my very first bc success, finding my first wild releases. Very exciting at the time.
 

Journal Entry 22 by discoverylover from Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Monday, September 12, 2005

Have not read yet, just picked it up, if I had control of this book I would probably release it under a tree in brooklyn however, I will be sending it off to Boreal instead. Will try not to take too long with it but I have a 2 500 word essay due next monday that I still need to do A LOT OF RESEARCH for so will read after I have done that. 

Journal Entry 23 by discoverylover from Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Friday, October 28, 2005

I really enjoyed this book. I have just lent it to my mum who will hopefully get it back to me soon. Then will send to Boreal. Really liked the different characters. Really enjoyed it because it was one of those 'personal journey' books so can be read again and again and again!!!! I quite liked the way it skipped from Francie 'now' to Francie in the past, with an explanation about her parents. Will try to send this book soon before the Christmas rush (and Christmas prices!). 

Journal Entry 24 by boreal from Dunedin, Otago New Zealand on Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Arrived today, thanks Discoverylover -hopefully it won't be too long before I get to read it! And a very big thank-you for the coaster, it is fabulous, I am going to take it along to our special meetup with Futurecat and Lytteltonwitch on Saturday to show everyone. For those of you reading this it is a tapestry bookcrossing coaster featuring ballycumber, and is far to nice to actually use :-) 

Journal Entry 25 by boreal from Dunedin, Otago New Zealand on Wednesday, November 16, 2005

I really loved this book and will add it to my list of best books for the year. It kept me under its spell from the first page and I am sorry that it had to end. I too had never heard of this book or the author so I am really glad to have found it thanks to Bookcrossing. Francie is a wonderful character, I especially loved the bit at the end when she went back to the library to return her card, thankfully things have changed and librarians do look at their clients these days!

I am just about to PM Fleebo for an address.
 

Journal Entry 26 by Fleebo from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, December 01, 2005

Received from boreal today, along with a pretty postcard of Dunedin beaches (presumably to tempt me along to next year's New Zealand BookCrossing convention! Looks good...) Thanks! 

Journal Entry 27 by Fleebo from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Monday, December 19, 2005

A lovely book. Of course, when I started it I was very much reminded of other poor-family classics like "Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha" by Roddy Doyle (set in Ireland) and "The Harp in the South" by Ruth Park (set in Sydney). The Nolans pull through much better than those other fictional families. Francie is a sharp cookie and deserved to succeed, of course. However, I had a feeling of America-land-of-opportunity-through-rose-coloured-glasses while reading Book Four. Opportunity is a wonderful thing, but you need to be an exceptional person first, to make the most of it. Francie, and the author, were just lucky enough to be those kinds of people.
Anyway, a very worthwhile read. Thanks very much. PMing meliluc for an address now.

Jan 03: Skipping Meliluc by request. Am now PMing concertina8.
Jan 04: Posting to concertina8 today! 

Journal Entry 28 by concertina8 from Wien Bezirk 13 - Hietzing, Wien Austria on Thursday, January 12, 2006

arrived safely in vienna today. will get to it asap. 

Journal Entry 29 by concertina8 from Wien Bezirk 13 - Hietzing, Wien Austria on Monday, January 30, 2006

what a lovely book! usually, i'm not much into "classics" and i have had some trouble with female authors (don't ask) but this was a delightful exception.

will send it on, after receiving the next (& final) address.

thx for sharing 

Journal Entry 30 by concertina8 at by mail in To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, February 02, 2006

Released 6 yrs ago (2/2/2006 UTC) at by mail in To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

moving on to the UK 

Journal Entry 31 by lellie from Trimley St Mary, Suffolk United Kingdom on Thursday, February 09, 2006

Just arrived, I've been so looking forward to this.
I'm just off to work and it's coming with me! 

Journal Entry 32 by lesezeichen from Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Tuesday, March 28, 2006

The book is back with me in Germany! Thanks everybody for making this ring such success! A trip around the world including several continents and lots of beautiful journal entries. Who could ask for anything more? ;-)