No Castles Here

by A.C.E. Bauer

AUGIE BORETSKI KNOWS how to get by. If you're a scrawny loser in the destitute city of Camden, New Jersey, you keep your head down, avoid the drug dealers and thugs, and try your best to be invisible. Augie used to be good at that, but suddenly his life is changing. . . .

First, Augie accidentally steals a strange book of fairy tales. Then his mom makes him join the Big Brothers program and the chorus. And two bullies try to beat him up every day because of it. Just when it seems like things can't get any worse, an ice storm wrecks Augie's school. The city plans to close the school, abandoning one more building to the drug addicts. But Augie has a plan. For the first time in his life, Augie Boretski is not going down without a fight.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Gay

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 23, 2007

About the author

I have telling and writing stories since childhood. I took a short break to write dreadful poetry, and then a longer one while I worked as an attorney, writing legal briefs and telling stories about my clients. I have returned to fiction, and published two middle grade novels, No Castles Here (ALA Rainbow Book; Kirkus Review starred review) and Come Fall (CCBC Choices Book; Publishers' Weekly starred review), and one for young adults, Gil Marsh.

Born and raised in Montreal, I spend most of the year in New England and much of the summer on a lake in Quebec.

Reviews

[jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could give this book a -1000 in ratings I would. Seriously. I really didn't get passed page 7 (except to skim briefly to page 48 just because I couldn't believe that someone would actually write a substory this bad and kept thinking "no way" - until I finally released myself from this book and stopped reading altogether.)

The "substory" was a "fairytale" about a king who sends his young daughter away after his wife dies because he can't bear to be reminded of the queen who died. 15 years later, he is urged to remarry by his advisors but can't find anyone who compares to his dead wife, until he sees a young girl in his gardens and "desires" her. The young girl is his daughter. He is made aware that this is his daughter, but apparently doesn't care and demands to marry her anyway. (Seriously???)She subsequently tries to get out of it, to no avail, and so runs away, banished, hiding as a dirty, filthy pig herder that no one will talk to.(So, it's what, her fault? And she has to live as filth? Really???) The story then continues with a prince seeing (spying on) the princess in her cottage, where she appears as her true self, and he "falls in love" with her. And apparently she likes this and so through a series of events they end up getting married. Meanwhile, the king is still searching for his daughter so he can marry her. (Again, seriously???) At which point her fairy godmother finally yells at him and he realizes his "folly". (Sure.) He wishes to find his daughter to ask her forgiveness (yea, right) and then says he'll leave her his kingdom when he dies.

Sorry but, what the heck???? This is not a fairy tale. This is a horrific rendering of abuse of young girls - that always seems to completley ignore how this might ACTUALLY feel to a child, girl, or woman and that perhaps getting married is not the first thing on their mind after being stalked and hunted as someone's forced sexual desire, especially when it's their own father. This in no way is appropriate as fantasy or as a children's story (or as a story at all as it completly nullifies women's true experiences of rape and stalking - which by the way is no fairy tale and never ends in a "happy" wedding).

What has happened to books?

This was truely appalling and I did not, nor will I, finish this book. Needless to say, I would not recommend this book at all, as I do not wish to perpetuate the use of girls as objects or the use of stories involving girls and women being chased and hunted to be someone's sexual object as an acceptable subplot to further a storyline.

[Roxanne Hsu Feldman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is quite a mess of things... the fairy tale inserts don't read like fairy tales (and yes, it's supposed to be REAL, but REAL MAGICAL places and REAL MAGICAL happenings.. but they are so poorly constructed either way); Augie's story itself is interesting to read but that's it... mildly interesting.

[Trin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet kids’ book about fairy tales and growing up. Good characters, a bit of magical realism. I remember quite liking it at the time—it was a cozy, warm-cup-of-tea read—but it hasn’t stuck in my mind very well. There’s nothing about it that I would call particularly notable. It’s just…pleasant.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book because of its setting- Camden NJ. Great read with a fairy tale aura but touches on important topics for our youth today- tolerance, bullying, violence and self acceptance.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book on my wish list for years, so this year with all the Amazon gift cards I got for Christmas, I decided why not. This is a cute little read, what grabbed my attention was Camden, NJ. Having worked there for 10 years I could relate to the story. I also liked the Fairy Story Book part of it. Wanted more of that. I do have to agree with the other reviewers about the incest aspect. Other than that I enjoyed it.

Cherie'

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly good, but the school board scene was melodramatic and the author indulged a bit in the Magical Negro trope (which is not diminished any by having the character say that she couldn't do any magic. That's clever-ish, but doesn't undo the rest of it).

[Mikayla Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters were well-written, relatable, and varied in age and background. The ambiance was pleasant, yet it lacked details at moments. The writing was good and had a nice flow. The plot was well-written, with effective character development, lessons, and storytelling.

[A B Rhoads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting plot...very different than anything I have ever read.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com

Not like many others around him, Augie is pretty different, mostly because of the way he looks. He isn't too fond of school and his teachers, and now that his only friend has moved away, there is no one left to stand up for him.

There are plenty of things Augie never thought he would do. Walking into a bookstore was one of them. But seeing a display with a donkey and a princess in the window, for some reason, captivated him. He plops himself down on a random couch that happens to have a book. Not just any book, though -- this book just so happens to have the same characters that Augie saw in the window.

And just like how Augie was swept into the store, he sweeps himself out of the world he wanted to forget, and into a world full of fantasy and adventure.

Yet, Augie doesn't know that by reading this book, his entire life just changed. From wanting to help his school to actually standing up for himself and others against those who were never nice, to having a sort of fairy godmother, Augie's life will just never be the same again... for the better.

Alternating through Augie's life and the adventure novel he reads, NO CASTLES HERE is that one book which makes us feel glad that we picked it up. Augie isn't just any normal character; he is one that we can all look up to and learn that the only way we are able to accomplish something is if we are willing to take that first step.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Castles Here by ACE Bauer is another one of those display shelf gems from the library. I was curious about the graffiti style castle on the cover, especially with the title. I didn't even bother to read the blurb before deciding to read it.

Augie Boretski lives with his mother in Camden, New Jersey, if you call hiding from bullies and avoiding drug dealers living. His idea of escaping is a ride across the river into Philadelphia.

On his most recent trip to Philly, he does something he never does. He shoplifts — and worse yet, it's a fantasy book. Embarrassment or maybe something else, convinces Augie to read the book. As he reads he begins to see things in common between the story and his life in Camden.

Meanwhile, Augie's mother has forced him to join Big Brothers and the school chorus. Although Augie reluctantly does both, he does learn from both.

Of the two plots, I was most interested in the Big Brother one as Augie's Big Brother is gay. It was refreshing to see a positive representation of a gay man working with a teenager.

Among all of this regular coming of age plot lines, there is this underlying urban fantasy twist that is tied to the book. This aspect of the book reminds me of The Neverending Story by Michael Ende, but with the heroics being done here instead of in a fantasy realm.

[Mary Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In No Castles Here, Bauer commits what I think is an unforgivable sin by writing a middle-grade novel with a MESSAGE that teaches IMPORTANT LESSONS. Why do children's writers do this? Does an adult novelist sit down and think, "Okay, what MESSAGE and IMPORTANT LESSON do I need to teach my readers today?" I don't think so, at least the good writers. Theme, story, plot, character development are the focus, and the author gives her readers enough credit to allow them to draw their own conclusions (or no conclusions at all). I wish more children's writers would do that. Stan Marsh's ubiquitous, ironic "You know, I learned something today..." at the end of just about every South Park episode pokes just the right amount of fun at this trope.

About the magical aspect of NCH: I love magical realism when it is handled deftly and with grace. Alice Hoffman does an incredible job of weaving her threads of magic throughout the fabric of her stories. A.C.E. Bauer should read more Hoffman. There is no grace in the transition between the magic of the book and the brutal realism of Augie's world. The presentation of magic seems random and unnecessary, and I think the book would have done just as well without it.

I like the characters well enough, and Bauer's writing style is comfortable and natural.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Augie lives in a bad neighborhood in Camden, New Jersey. Not only does he have to worry about avoiding the drug dealers in the rundown park on the way to and from school, he also must worry about the bullies in his class. Sixth-grade is turning out to be quite a difficult year for him. Things get even worse when he accidentally takes a book from a bookstore downtown. Although Augie isn’t a huge fan of reading, he finds this book of tales fascinating.

When an ice storm hits the town in December, Augie and his classmates are told that their school has been damaged by the frozen plumbing system—damaged so bad, in fact, that it will remain closed for good, and they will all be split up into different schools. Augie can’t believe that adults would give up so easily! With the help of his teacher, his fellow chorus members, his Big Brother, and his mom, Augie fights to save his school.

This is a good story that has the tales Augie reads from his stolen book interspersed within the regular story. Augie’s attitude in the face of his tough life will surely bring smiles to readers. Readers who enjoyed this might also enjoy Finding Stinko (De Guzman) and Slam Dunk! (Robinson).

[uproc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleven-year-old Augie Boretski dreams of escaping his rundown neighborhood in Camden, New Jersey. For one afternoon, he accomplishes this dream when he saves up for a trip to downtown Philadelphia. He discovers bookstore with a magical book of fairy tales and accidentally steals it. His single mother tries hard to encourage him to make friends, but Augie finds it easier to stay at home and hide from the neighborhood around him. When his mother signs him up for the Big Brother program, Augie is horrified. He thinks that the program is just for little kids and he can only imagine what the bullies at school will do to him when they find out that his Big Brother is a gay man. Despite what’s happening, he continues reading the book. Interestingly, the book pages change every time he reads it, and he finds that the stories have practical application to his real life. I liked this book because the author deals with several themes relevant today: bullying and discrimination and confronting our own personal prejudices. In addition, the author has a writing style that was compulsively readable.

[Trina · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Augie accidentally steals a book of fairy tales from a bookstore in Philadelphia, his life begins to change. Kind of...

Augie is struggling to grow up in Camden, NJ. His mother is a waitress. He gets bullied by some unpleasant characters at school. He has the meanest teacher ever. And now, his mom arranged for him to get a Big Brother, when he is way too old for that.

However, his Big Brother turns out to be kind and fun. His teacher starts up a school chorus, which Augie enjoys. And then, there's the book and the mysterious bookstore owner, who encourages Augie to finish reading the fairy tales before returning it to her.

I think A.C.E. Bauer went a little light on Augie's difficult home and school situation. But then, I think that will make it more acceptable for a younger audience.

This book reminded me a little of The Wednesday Wars, in that the narrator is relatively pessimistic until he realizes that there are people on his side.

[Eva Mitnick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like "The Garden of Eve" by Going, this is mostly a straightforward realistic book - with a touch of magic. Augie is a 6th-grader living in a gritty New Jersey town; he tries to keep his head down but is tormented by a trio of classmates. He discovers a book of fairy tales in a tiny bookstore in Philadelphia; unusually for him, he begins to read and enjoy it. Meanwhile, his single mother has found a Big Brother for him (a great guy who happens to be gay) and his favorite teacher starts a chorus that he joins - and the bullying continues. The magic comes in the form of the book, which seems to transform itself occasionally, and offers stories that make him reflect, at least so far as an 11-year-old boy is able to, on his own life. Simple and sweet - an appealing urban tale with an uplifting ending.

[Wanwei Wu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wrote about a boy named Augie who is a timid and warm-hearted boy. He also likes to read books. One day he ran away from his home by himself. He found a interesting book and attracted by it. Later, he brought it home without pay.
The first day he went to school. He found out he was the classmates with the worst kids in school. They always hit him and snatched stuff from him. Augie noticed that they had relationship with drug dealers. He saw them talked to the drug dealers. Wonder what happens, they got hit by them. Although they treat him badly, but he still helped them when they got hit by the drug dealer.
Can Augie save them successfully? Will they put aside their prejudice and become friends with each other? If you want to find out the answer, read the book by yourself. This is also a book can teach you how to deal with relationships and the drug.

[Miramira Endevall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book thinking it would get three stars, based on what I knew of the author and plot. I was pleasantly surprised that it warrants four.

The best thing about this book is that the hero does NOT find a special understanding of a fighting art, beat up his tormentors and then become their best friends. He DOES find a way to see something positive in the enemy, and then is forced to make a tough moral decision regarding said enemy.

The second best thing about this book is that the 'real' people act like people and the fairytale people act like fairytale people.

I highly recommend this book, particularly to Morgan. The only thing that prevents me giving it five stars is that I feel thee reading level is not high enough. In that regard, the Gregor series has this book beat, hands down.

[Max M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max Meyer
E.L.A
11/30/10
No Castles Here

What if you get beaten up almost every day? What if you go out with an old brother? What if your school was damaged by a storm? What if they did not want to fix your school at first? This book is called “No Castles Here”.
The story was about a kid named Augie. Augie lives in Camden. He wanted to not get bullied by the bullies at his school. At his school he is in chores. But Dwaine and Fox Tooth beat him up almost every day. When Augie can back to go to school the next day the school was damaged by the storm the day before and the school was closed but for the first time he was no going without a fight.
I would recommend this book to people ever were.

[Vi Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Auguie Boretski tries to avoid his bully classmates daily but it's not easy when you're one of the smallest kids in your room. And neither does it help that there's only one more white kid in your room.

I really liked this book because the author deals with several themes relevant today: bullying and discrimination. Augie's mother gets him a big brother who Augie later learns is gay. This compounds Augie's fear of the class bullies. It's not until Augie decides he's tired of being afraid and of letting the bullies make decisions for him that he finds his inner strength to stand up to them.

[Mauri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little unsure about this book at first, but I grew to love it. A wonderful children's book about a sixth grade boy living in New Jersey. Augie ilives in the ghettos of Camden, New Jersey, one of the few white kids in his school. He is relentlessly bullied and has to find ways to fend for himself. Wonderful adult characters who try to help Augie on his way; his single mother Ramona, his kind neighbor Mrs. Lurentushki, Walter his Big Brother, Louisa the bookshop owner, and Mr. Franklin his teacher. A little bit of magic is thrown in to this great story. My ten year old son read it too and I think it gave him a glimpse into a life so unlike his own.

[Marika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed No Castles Here. Well written, compelling, diverse and well-developed characters, there was much to appreciate about this book. Bauer did an expert job weaving together fantasy and reality in a way that left us feeling as if this story was both utterly real and completely magical. Effortlessly taking it one step further she makes clear the real life magic that occurs when people band together to support something they believe in. This is a fantastic story I would recommend to many. Likely best for independent reading. I know I wouldn't have the patience to do this one as a read aloud; I would be too anxious to know what happens next.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

A boy trying to live unnoticed in a rough neighborhood in Camden finds a book in a bookstore that draws him into a fairytale. Not literally, unfortunately. He still goes to school, deals with bullies, whines about being forced into having a Big Brother by his Mom, and joins the choir.

The fairytale story eventually links up in a peripheral way with Augie's contemporary life. The fairytale part of the book had a better flow and a more engaging style than Augie's story.

[Malia C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!! The book is about a boy who is being bullied so I felt really bad for him and because of that, wanted to keep reading to find out what the outcome would be. Also, the details and emotions were very strong and well written. I thought that the plot was introduced a little late so I couldn't get into it until somewhere in the middle part of the book... Otherwise, this book was great and I want to read more books by this author.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm debating if this ends up on the fantasy shelf, too. It's kind of magical realism. In parts. This just came in, so I've only skimmed it, but from what I read, it's pretty damn awesome. I really liked Augie, his mother, and Walter and Roger. Good stuff!!

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a very interesting book about magic in real life, how miracles can come true event to even to a child, and how it is put through a child's point of view. I like how the book is not about a normal everyday child but a child who lives near a gang and is bullied.

[Lindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of strong characters and a solid plot make for a very engaging read about a young boy who, with the help of a teacher, a bookseller and a Big Brother, figures out how to stop running from his problems.

[Ramnik · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. I kind of liked it, the beginning wasn't that interesting, but once I got into the book I liked it.

[Jsagat · Rating 4 out of 5]

folktale and reality story parallel each other intersecting with character Louise--complicated for booktalk--too many themes but good read.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read, suitable for 4th-6th graders.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may, perhaps, be biased here.