No Outlet

by Ben Klayer, GG I Publishing (Compiler)

No Outlet recounts the true coming-of-age tale of two adolescent boys as they grow up together on an impoverished dead-end street called Francis Ave. One fateful summer evening, a new neighbor kid-named David-asks twelve-year- old Ben Klayer for a bicycle tire pump. They begin pedaling around together and quickly become best friends. Over the next six years, Ben and David share many experiences while living on Francis Avenue. Some good like winning a three-legged race, at a birthday party. Some hilarious, like pissing on a campfire to put it out, and some necessary, like working first jobs, and applying to college. The two boys also witness some horrible situations, such as rampant drug dealing, and child abuse. Together, Ben and David cope with the imbalanced conditions. They look for outlets; not only literally, but with their lives. Will they thrive beyond Francis Avenue?

200 pages, Paperback

Published March 5, 2016

Reviews

[Juliet · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable story of growing up in a well-known Cincinnati neighborhood. The characters and settings are real and interesting.

[Jeffd134 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit to being skeptical before reading No Outlet How old does one have to be to write a memoir? Well, I guess the key is to have a story to tell -- and Ben does. It's well told in short digestible chapters. He uses some interesting literary devices to keep your interest as he traces friendships, neighborhood changes and growing up. A good read overall.