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" Amazing book, and since I am from Chicago, it hit very close to home. "
- Klaudyna, 2/15/2014
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" Parts of this were difficult because it is a true glimpse of life in the projects of Chicago. I read this in my religion class during high school. Knowing all this was going on only a few miles from our school really seemed unbelievable to me. "
- Tina, 2/3/2014
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" it was ok, but it was kinda boring "
- Maddie, 2/1/2014
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" This book was a stark and heartbreaking glimpse into life for two boys living in the Chicago projects. The horrors these kids lived through and witnessed were unimaginable. I tried to find out what happened to these two boys since the book was written in 1984 but no information was available. "
- Allie, 1/29/2014
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" Good eye opener "
- Rf, 1/29/2014
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" Although this book was slow, it opened my eyes to the effects of poverty. It is important for people to know of the devastating events that these children, and so many others, lived through. "
- Emily, 1/22/2014
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" Non-fiction. This is a great book by a great journalist. It illustrates the profound effect that poverty has on the children of America, but tells the stroy in a very human way by following the lives of two kids growing up in the Chicago projects. A must read for anyone who works with kids or anyone who thinks that poor kids have an equal chance in our schools. How the richest country in the world can tolerate such inequity is inconceivable. "
- Mac, 1/20/2014
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" I really like what the author does in investigating the lives of underprivileged families in Chicago area projects. He achieves much of what he set out to do in portraying the sad, terrifying, and unjust day to day lives of two little boys and their mother in a ghetto in walking distance from downtown and the city's elite. "
- Lisa, 1/15/2014
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" We tend to ignore the challenges of children living in poverty in the so-called developed world. This is a frank portrait of the effects. "
- Luizka, 1/15/2014
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" Man, this book totally shook me up. As a journalist, I aspire to create something this real and powerful. It took all my will power to not put the book down at various points and google the name of the two boys featured in the book, to see if they made it out. "
- Jen, 12/26/2013
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" I read this book in undergrad and really enjoyed it. Well as much as one can enjoy a book when poverty, drugs and gangs are being discussed. It really is a great read though! "
- Rachael, 12/1/2013
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" I did not relate to this book at all. Perhaps if my situation had anything in common with them it would have been better, but I had to force myself to read this for my AP English class. "
- Shelby, 10/31/2013
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" Horrifying and beautiful. A glimpse at poverty, violence, and hopelessness in the inner city, and the devastating effects of all these factors on children and families. "
- afra, 7/30/2013
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" I love this book because it is the real stories of 2 boys growing up in the projects in Chicago. They carry around recorders and talk about their daily lives. "
- Malena, 7/18/2013
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" love everything I've read by him! "
- Kerry, 4/19/2013
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" this is still better than watership down "
- Abby, 3/25/2013
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" Very eye-opening for a sheltered country girl. "
- Cara, 8/24/2012
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" an important book concerning 'our' America that addresses issues worth discussing. This is the kind of journalism that raises awareness and incites change. I think Kotlowitz did a nice job. "
- Beth, 3/24/2012
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" UGHHHHH!!! So depressing. But very powerful. Although it really seemed like the wheels were turning, the vehicle was going nowhere. It was stuck in a muddy ditch. "
- Emily, 2/21/2012
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" exceptionally moving "
- Yotamhod24, 11/11/2011
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" Just couldn't get into it but maybe I'll try again in the future "
- Brooke, 10/29/2011
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" This was a excellent read that left me so emotionally drained I doubt I can read it again. I actually cried so hard, a friend thought something was wrong. What a cruel world we live in that our children can be robbed of their innocence and childhood. "
- Joy, 8/12/2011
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" Interesting look at a world quite separate from mine. "
- Denice, 7/19/2011
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" Would definitely recommend it to Hyde Park-ers. "
- Whitney, 4/26/2011
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" This is a tremendous example of the power of long form journalism. Kotlowitz approaches his subjects with respect and affection and never loses sight of his characters to prove a larger social point.
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- Denali, 4/11/2011
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" I loved this book. I might even say it is my favorite.
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- Amanda, 3/3/2011
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" A good story to shed light on the plight of urban life in the low income areas. But boring in narrative.
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- Justin, 2/16/2011
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" One of the most amazing non-fictions books I have ever read.
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- Will, 2/8/2011
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" love everything I've read by him!
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- Kerry, 1/5/2011
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" Wow...intense non-fiction but not near as intense as it must be to live in such violence, not just read about it. Good read to learn the true stories behind poverty & violence.
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- Hope, 1/2/2011
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" Completely compelling but average writing - I think I only held this critique because I read it just after reading the spirit catches you and it is a tall order to stand up to the excellent storytelling of Anne Fadiman.
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- Gina.lowell, 11/29/2010
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" This is one of those books that is supposed to be moving and insightful, but no matter how hard I tried to squeeze out some fresh understanding of the American inner city, the whole thing just didn't work for me. Not recommended.
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- Noah, 11/18/2010
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