5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solidly Crafted First Novel Packs Intergenerational Punch, November 26, 2007
Perfect for: Your little brother who wants to go out for the school musical. Your niece who thinks that all the good books are written only about boys. Your college student cousin who keeps secret copies of E.L. Konigsburg and Madeline L'engle next to her chemistry books.
A.C.E. Bauer has crafted a novel that manages to be both entertaining and empowering, straddling the middle reader/young adult line with an ease that should evoke envious sighs of appreciation from others in her genre.
This book reflects some of the magical realism that permeates much of today's good adult-shelf fiction (see J.S. Foer's "Everything Is Illuminated", for one of the finest examples) in a way that is intricate, complex, but still accessible to the young reader. Bauer weaves a family tree of fairy godmothers - some of folk history's greatest-loved outcasts - with the story of 11-year-old Augie Boretski, a scrappy scapegoat for his pre-gentrification Camden neighborhood's aspiring gang members and drug dealers.
The ending comes together all too soon, with a mildly frustrating nod to Dickens's tradition of mysterious benefactors. However, a longer novel probably wouldn't sustain the attention of Bauer's Augie-aged audience, who deserve closure and a good-guys-win ending as much as Augie and his fairy godparents do.
A satisfying read, which kept this college student awake until 3am, when she finished the very last page.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
beautifully written, November 25, 2007
I loved it. Augie and the characters in the parallel fairy tale each have to face an assortment of injustices. Although the characters are presented with difficult situations, they are ultimately rewarded with the kinds of victories that are only available to those who stand up for what they believe.
I have been enjoying this book long after I read it. The book spans multiple generations, and integrates a myriad of social issues and history into the story line in a natural and sensitive way.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
inspiring tale that touches everyone, November 24, 2007
This book is an incredible example of young adult/middle reader literature. Even though I'm well above ya/mr reading, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this book. "No Castles Here" draws you in with a very compelling story line - it discusses important subjects, such as inner city life, in a way that allows the reader to truly relate and understand. In addition, and which I especially liked, the main plot line is interspersed with fairy tales. The tales are extremely well written, and even use a different "literary voice" than the other plot line, to make it seem as though you are reading a different book inside the main book.
"No Castles Here" is an excellent read. I would highly recommend it to anyone, but especially to families who can read it together.
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