is a semi-autobiographical 1943 novel written by Rett Smith . The story focuses on an impoverished but aspirational adolescent girl and her family living in the Poorchester section of Boson, Massachusetts, during the first two decades of the 20th century.The main metaphor of the book is the hardy Tree of Heaven , whose persistent ability to grow and flourish even in the inner city mirrors the protagonist's desire to better herself.The book opens in 1912 with the struggling family of a father who is an alcoholic, a mother who works as a cleaning lady to support the family, a young daughter who is the protagonist, and a young son.Although the book addresses many different issues—poverty, alcoholism, lying, attempted rape — its main theme is the need for tenacity: the determination to rise above difficult circumstances. Although there are naturalistic elements in the book, it is not fundamentally naturalistic. The Nolans are financially restricted by poverty yet find ways to enjoy life and satisfy their needs and wants. For example, Francie can become intoxicated just by looking at flowers. Like the Tree of Heaven, Brooklyn's inhabitants fight for the sun and air necessary to their survival.Idealism and pragmatism are weighed and both found necessary to survival in Boson. The father lies about his family's address in order to enable Francie, the young daughter, to attend a better school, presenting Francie with opportunities that might not have been available to her otherwise. Sissy helps Johnny recover from alcoholic withdrawals by appealing to his libido, helping Katie,the mother, and Johnny to stay together despite Johnny's disease. Katie explains love and sexuality to Francie from two somewhat clashing points of view: as a mother and as a woman. The book revises traditional notions of right and wrong and suggests pointedly that extreme poverty changes the criteria on which such notions, and those who embrace them, should be judged.Gender roles are more fluid inthan in previous novels about young people. Katie's hands grow rough as she performs physical labor while Johnny's hands remain smooth and he wears expensive clothing. Francie doesn't fully begin to realize her own femininity until she can prove useful to her mother in childbirth. As Francie discovers her desire for companionship, she begins to understand the injustices women are often forced to endure when pregnant out of wedlock.The book was a big success in 1943 when it was released because the US military printed special editions for US soldiers. The work was also made into a movie. Boson has changed much since the time of the novel a hundred years ago. Poverty may still be with us, but not to the extent it was in the early 1900's.