Why people recommend it
There are no children here by Alex Kotlowitz is a powerful work of investigative journalism that chronicles the lives of two boys growing up in a Chicago public housing project. On The Book Review podcast, the book was frequently referenced across multiple episodes to discuss systemic poverty and community life in urban America. Gilbert Cruz brought up the text to compare experiences across different Chicago housing projects, while host Pamela Paul recalled the 1991 bestseller and its lasting emotional resonance with readers who continue to care deeply about the main subjects, Pharaoh and Lafayette. Guest Alex Kotlowitz reflected on his experiences writing the book nearly three decades prior, expressing sorrow over how little conditions had changed for marginalized children. Pamela Paul also praised Kotlowitz and his impactful work during a discussion on public housing and urban homelessness crises.
Who recommended it
- Pamela Paul Discussed
- Gilbert Cruz Discussed
- Alex Kotlowitz Discussed
Pamela Paul — 4 mentions
“you know before we even begin to talk about the subject of this book which is very present day I want to start with with a book that you wrote several books ago that came out in 1991 There Are No Children Here I think everyone who read this book and obviously many people did I was a huge bestseller”
“so this is a subject that has stayed with you with There Are No Children Here you had a kind of very clear framework to to work within right you have two main characters”
“because all of us again are still caring about pharaoh and Lafayette from There Are No Children Here”
“book has gotten a rave review from Alex Cotler who wrote The Incredible Book There Are No Children Here about children in public housing in Chicago and then subsequently many other incredible prizewinning books”
Gilbert Cruz — 1 mention
“and I know this is about a different Chicago housing project that Henry her projects but there was that Alex CT's book There Are No Children Here about sort of what this what did this do to the community life in Cabrini Green”
Alex Kotlowitz — 1 mention
“and I think one of the things for me that's really sobering from writing There Are No Children Here 28 years ago and is how little things have changed”