THERE ARE NO CHILDREN HERE The Story of Two Boys Growing Up in the Other America

The poignant title sets the stage for this 1992 journalistic work, often mistaken for fiction, which exposes life in America's inner-city housing projects. Narrator Dion Graham's even pacing and understated intensity lend sensitivity and immediacy to Kotlowitz's chronicle of his three years of observing the impoverished Rivers family as it struggles with poverty, drugs, gangs, and indifference. Graham's transitions from straight narration to convincing dialogue are seamless and combine with the subject matter to grip the listener and make turning away impossible. Both author and narrator wisely avoid slipping into dramatics, letting events and participants speak for themselves. Although it’s more than 20 years old, this powerful account, sadly, is still current and will leave the listener wishing Kotlowitz had written a follow-up. M.O.B. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2011]