There Are No Children Here

The Story of Two Boys Growing Up in the Other America

By: Alex Kotlowitz

Narrated by: Dion Graham

Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

Life in puberty

This is so revealing! really understanding of life in the projects though I've heard/read bits and pieces of life there; but for me, i was tearful, it is quite sad that fellow humans are forced, and destined to live this way. Wow, the mental trauma on children, surely no children lives in the projects!!

A Story of Temptation and Perseverance

I received this audiobook for free as part of my Audible Plus membership.

Written by Alex Kotlowitz and narrated by Dion Graham, There Are No Children Here: The Story of Two Boys Growing Up in the Other America primarily follows Lafayette and Pharaoh Rivers as they grow up in Chicago. Kotlowitz covers themes of poverty, gang violence, drugs, mortality, fatherhood and prison without getting overly graphic or crude. Despite some heavy-handed exposition and meandering plot lines, Kotlowitz provides a compelling narrative. Graham supports the work with strong narration, even if the production values are sub-optimal. This book is recommended for anyone interested in American society during the mid-1980s.

Lafayette was 10-years-old and Pharaoh was 7-years-old when Kotlowitz began chronicling their lives in the Summer of 1985. The boy's oftentimes absentee father, Paul, was a drug-addict who would occasionally stay with the family at their apartment in the Henry Horner Homes, which was a public housing complex in Chicago, Illinois. They were primarily raised by their mother, Lajoe, while various extended family members lived with them. Kotlowitz followed the boy's at school, at home and on the streets. They faced various challenges, including consistent neighborhood shootings, deceased friends and the allure of gang life. Although Kotlowitz only follows the boys for a short-time, the work provides a snapshot of lives dense with danger, temptation and opportunity. The work ends with an epilogue discussing the boys lives one year after the bulk of the reporting took place.

Kotlowitz's narrative asks the reader to contemplate their own lives during the ages of Lafayette and Pharaoh Rivers discussed in the book and to examine where the might be given similar circumstances. It's inspiring to hear how these boys largely persevered through so much opposition. This is where the book succeeds, when it focuses on the boy's emotional and mental development and transformation. The work falls a bit short when it spends large sections discussing the backstories of the city, gangs and public housing. It loses some of it's humanity and heart. Although those sections are important to understand the boy's situation and circumstances, they could have been delivered in a more concise and compelling manner. The larger themes of poverty, gang violence, drug addiction, crime and parenthood are interlaced throughout the boy's experiences. They didn't necessarily need to be discussed in such detail outside of that. Despite these shortcomings, There Are No Children Here succeeds in delivering an engaging picture into two young lives.

Dion Graham's deep-voice and flowing narration provides a strong backdrop for Kotlowitz's writing. He maintains a consistently serious tone, which matches the dark and mature themes discussed in the book. He comes across as emotionless at times, but this coincides with the journalistic focus of the narrative. He provides clear pronunciation, and he voices the characters in a convincing manner. There are some odd noises in the recording, and it's clear where some sections have been cut and edited. Nonetheless, these issues don't detract a great deal from the overall production.

There Are No Children Here is an emotionally-charged and compelling work. Despite some rambling, Kotlowitz's does a great job painting a clear image of Lafayette and Pharaoh Rivers. The work is easy to listen to thanks to Graham's strong narration. It an excellent choice for those interested in any of the themes discussed.

WOW!!!!

What a great book!!
I read this book for the first time in 2020 and I can't help to wonder whatever happend not only with the two boys but with everyone in the book. GREAT LISTEN!!

Amazing true story of a family live in a Chicago Housing complex

When I rode the Lake Train as it was called the Green line train, I will see with disgust the building projects in the west side of Chicago. At that time not knowing their sad stories I will judge them because they were in public aid. After this book, now I understand how the system forgot about them. Women and young girls without being able to go to medical facilities and with no resources to buy anti-conceptive pills will get pregnant and be forced to have children which they have no means to raise. Men with no education will fall into the gangs or be killed by them. Schools are unable to function as they are overcrowded and with insufficient funds. Many generations lost. This book hit the bottom of my heart. Now in Florida and with sufficient funds for my retirement, I feel bad for not having been able to contribute due to my ignorance.
I wish to know how these 2 boys made it and if they survive and if were able to graduate from high school get a job and raise their own family.

Are you surprised?

excellent non-fiction story about a family in the chicago projects in the 80s. it gives a real life example of how politics and cruel policing breaks up poor families of color. it gives an explanation to those who are unconvinced that the system is set up for poor people of color to fail and stay poor. narration was a bit slow but I bumped up the speed to 1.25x and it read must better.

Touching Read

Story capture d inner city life and made it real, raw and naked. Great book.

Significant Book!

Any additional comments?

I listened to the reading There Are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz while reading The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. The two books have many parallels, although they were written two decades apart. Alex Kotlowitz is a writer and reporter. There Are No Children Here is true story of two young boys living in the Henry Horner Homes public housing project. Originally published in 1991, the book is still relevant. It gives real insight into some of the economic and racial issues that have led to the Black Lives Matter movement in our country today. It is definitely a must read for anyone wanting to understand poverty and racial issues in America today in 2017.

Eye opening

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The two boys captured my heart. I learned a lot and have a better perspective and understanding of challenges that inner city children face.

Realism in todays world

This book portrays how the world truly is for the children. Written during the days of my youth, I, like so many, never knew the other world until now. Feel their struggle, and change our world one child at a time. Education and mentoring can be freely given in many ways. The author leads by example, thus feeling what they felt, and seeing what they see. Only change will allow these lost children to reach adulthood. The narrators draw you into their families. So glad this book was written.

Failure of Politicians & Bureaucrats

very interesting read. the lifes struggles in the projects is amazing. too many damn social programs holding these people back. too many damn politicians & bureaucrats worried about how to line there pockets rather than doing their freaking job.