There Are No Children Here

Rating:
Summary: It's like watching a movie...
Review: "There are No Children Here" is a book, in my opinion, that is good for the soul. While reading it you realize that things in your life could be a lot worse then they really are.... well at least I did. I realized that I should be more greatful and thankful for the little things I have in my life that I take for granted. I got so wrapped up in the whole story that i forgot that this was about real life while reading "There are No Children Here." I totally forgot that all of this actually happened. Reading this book was like watching a movie. Growing up in the city myself, I didn't realize that such poverty and violence could exist. I was never exposed to gangs or even gang bangs, the poverty, and the violence probably because i had a mother like LaJoe, a loving mother who did everything she could to keep her kids children. Yes, I did experience the feeling of being scared of bullies but not for my life. I didn't go through anything compared to what Lafeyette and Pharoah had to. These children, little adults, saw nothing but violence and and poverty to the point where all they wanted to do is die to escape it all. An example in the book is: "We're gonna die one way or the other by killing or plain out," James said to Lafeyette. "I just wanna die plain out." Lafeyette nodded, "me too." If you ask me.. I'd say go out and get yourself a copy of this book because you won't regret it. It will open your eyes up to what the "other America" is like.

Rating:
Summary: It's like watching a movie...
Review: "There are No Children Here" is a book, in my opinion, that is good for the soul. While reading it you realize that things in your life could be a lot worse then they really are.... well at least I did. I realized that I should be more greatful and thankful for the little things I have in my life that I take for granted. I got so wrapped up in the whole story that i forgot that this was about real life while reading "There are No Children Here." I totally forgot that all of this actually happened. Reading this book was like watching a movie. Growing up in the city myself, I didn't realize that such poverty and violence could exist. I was never exposed to gangs or even gang bangs, the poverty, and the violence probably because i had a mother like LaJoe, a loving mother who did everything she could to keep her kids children. Yes, I did experience the feeling of being scared of bullies but not for my life. I didn't go through anything compared to what Lafeyette and Pharoah had to. These children, little adults, saw nothing but violence and and poverty to the point where all they wanted to do is die to escape it all. An example in the book is: "We're gonna die one way or the other by killing or plain out," James said to Lafeyette. "I just wanna die plain out." Lafeyette nodded, "me too." If you ask me.. I'd say go out and get yourself a copy of this book because you won't regret it. It will open your eyes up to what the "other America" is like.

Rating:
Summary: The Truth is boring
Review: Alex Kotlowitz could have written a book about anyone in the United States and it would have been the same story. The book was uneventful, but it does show the inside track to the ghettos in Chicago. Character development was handed to the reader on a silver platter. It was a 9th grade level book. However, Kotlowitz did show courage and originality in his untainted description of the lives of the two young boys. I commend him for his adventures, but it just wasn't extremely exciting or outrageous.

Rating:
Summary: Kotlowitz touches on the "other America"
Review: For those readers who have commented that this book is boring, I have one question....is the existence of this type of devasting poverty boring and insignificant to your partiticular life? This is not a ficitional story of the hardships and struggles of the River's family; rather, it is a harsh reality that exists in our country, one of which we turn our backs and close our eyes to daily. This book is touching only if you understand and acknowledge the facts that perpetuate poverty and welfare-denpendency in the United States. I believe that the readers who comment on LaJoe's laziness are truly portraying their ignorance and stupidity in their comments. In my opinion, this book paints a vivid picture, too vivid for some, of the America that most people do not want to see. My advice for others- read this book because you will be shocked a horrified at our "land of the free." Are those in poverty truly free or are they drowning in a world that smothered them to begin with?

Rating:
Summary: The American Genocide
Review: Kotlowitz captures the essence of life in government housing. This book is a painfully wonderful read. Glorious and uplifting at times, wrenching and frustrating at others. This book should be required text for anyone claiming to be a represenative of the "people". I wish George Bush would read and understand how policy truly affects people. After reading this book, anyone who claims that poverty is not a form of violence should seek professional help.

Rating:
Summary: A heart-wrenching, real-life depiction of urban youth
Review: This book is a must read for all that have ever worked with, seen, or even wondered about the problems of inner city families and youth. It is a shocking and masterful depiction of the plight of urban youth. Kotlowitz does not force his judgements on the readers. Rather, he sets out all of the information and lets the reader decipher and digest it. The reader makes and draws the conclusions himself. It exposes a new side of the problems we see everyday. It provides a perspective of inner city youth that has been long overdue. "There Are No Children Here" provides the reader with a whole picture, not just a negative 30 second news bit.

Rating:
Summary: I wanted to care for the entire family
Review: This book takes on a 'true approach' to living in poverty, especially for blacks to live in poverty. I'm a social work undergrad college student, and until I read this book, I was'nt aware of exactly how it was in poverty. Alex writings in the book, made me feel as though I was living with the Rivers and feeling their emotions. Thank you Alex for writing this excellent book. I encourage all college students to read the book, especially social work students. It really made me understand how blessed I am. Now I'm trying to see how I can get a copy of the movie, Oprah Winfrey played the mother. I didn't even know there was a movie for it. Can't wait to see it!