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 ...
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Aug 24, 2011
Chris
rated it: 
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
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May 01, 2011
jennifer
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Dec 17, 2010
Mary Ellen
rated it: 
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 con
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Oct 05, 2011
Wanwei
rated it:
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 More...
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 More...
Dec 17, 2007
Roxanne Hsu
rated it: 
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.
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Apr 09, 2009
Vi Louise
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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 More...
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 More...
Dec 01, 2010
Max
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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 To More...
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 To More...
May 07, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
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 tow More...
When an ice storm hits the tow More...
Dec 23, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
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, f More...
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, f More...
Dec 29, 2007
Trina
rated it:
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 More...
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 More...
Jun 29, 2011
Mauri
rated it: 
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
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May 09, 2008
Eva
rated it:
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 sta
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Jan 17, 2010
Lindi
rated it:
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.
Jul 05, 2009
Jsagat
rated it:
folktale and reality story parallel each other intersecting with character Louise--complicated for booktalk--too many themes but good read.
Oct 12, 2010
Amy
rated it:
Interesting story but I can't recommend it because some of the language was so bad. Overall, I give it a 'meh'.
Oct 29, 2011
Cherie
rated it:
Copyright: 2007
Genre: Fantasy/Realistic Fiction
Thoughts: Great blend of fairy tale and current topics.
Genre: Fantasy/Realistic Fiction
Thoughts: Great blend of fairy tale and current topics.
Aug 17, 2011
Brittany
rated it:
It was ok, but definitely not what the title makes you think. Pretty good though.
May 14, 2008
Beth
rated it:
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.
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.
Apr 30, 2008
Trin
rated it:
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.
Sep 08, 2008
Joseph
rated it:
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.
Jan 17, 2008
Shelley
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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!!
Feb 02, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
Wonderful urban fantasy book that will appeal to fans of the Neverending Story.
Read for the GLBT and Canada Reads challenges.
Read for the GLBT and Canada Reads challenges.
Jan 03, 2009
Ramnikie
rated it:
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.
Jan 14, 2012
Jan 02, 2012
