There Are No Children Here

The Story of Two Boys Growing Up in the Other America

By: Alex Kotlowitz

Narrated by: Dion Graham

This New York Public Library selection, as one of the 150 most important books of the 20th century, is a true-life portrait of growing up in the Chicago projects.

This national best-seller chronicles the true story of two brothers coming of age in the Henry Horner public housing complex in Chicago. Lafeyette and Pharoah Rivers are 11 and nine years old when the story begins in the summer of 1987. Living with their mother and six siblings, they struggle against grinding poverty, gun violence, gang influences, overzealous police officers, and overburdened and neglectful bureaucracies. Immersed in their lives for two years, Kotlowitz brings us this classic rendering of growing up poor in America’s cities.

©1991 Alex Kotlowitz (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A triumph of empathy as well as a significant feat of reporting.” ( Los Angeles Times)

“Alex Kotlowitz’s story informs the heart. His meticulous portrait of the two boys in a Chicago Housing project shows how much heroism is required to survive, let alone escape.” ( New York Times)

Brilliant story, great details.

Great story. I would recommend this book to any and all people. The characters were do real, I wonder how they are now.

An enlightening view into life in the projects

This book shed light on an area I have very little understanding of and increase my empathy and desire to help. It is unique perspective on a troubled part of the American dream

Excellent

Very interesting story. Really illuminates what it means to grow up in the projects and how this beginning affects the rest of life ahead.

An Accurate Depiction of Systemic Racism

This book was tough to get through. I think the author wanted you to feel the discomfort the people in the were feeling. It’s brilliant and should be a mandatory read for anyone wanting to put a face to the byproduct of systemic racism.

Eye opener!

An eye opening view of some of the “inner workings“ of public housing (AKA ghetto, projects, etc.) in Chicago. I’m sure the lives of these residents mirror other families & individuals in inner city public housing and anyone working with people in these environments should read this book. As a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), I felt the author gave me the opportunity to see the multilayered oppression that children are subjected to.

Sad Truth

True stories about growing up in the tenements In Chicago. Scary and sad but glad to try to comprehend.

amazing gripping speechless

sent chills down my spine esoecially after i did research on henry horner projects a must listen

Good informative literature

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It informed on the many social injustices of low income housing! I want to know where the two main characters are now. I highly would recommend this book! Excellent! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

Captivating and touching

This is a must read for all who are either unaware of or have forgotten the impact that drug infested, violent, poverty stricken communities have on children and families.

Great Listen!

When I recognized the voice of the narrator and realized that it was the same person that narrates First 48, I was sold! The story is very interesting and I was able to find updates on the boys. Also, the author reports on an episode of This American Life on NPR titled "Harper High School" (parts I and II) where he briefly discusses the book and gives an update about Dawn. It can be found on the This American Life website under episodes from 2013 and is the reason I chose this book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys texts of this nature.