Spotlight: A.C.E. Bauer's NO CASTLES HERE
On Monday the Class posted a fantastic interview of A.C.E. Bauer. Today the Class delves into A.C.E.'s debut novel, NO CASTLES HERE, which has received loads of praise, including a starred review from Kirkus.
Book: No Castles Here
Camden, New Jersey, is the armpit of the world, as far as Augie is concerned. Home to losers and bullies, its schools offer nothing to someone who isn’t smart, isn’t stupid, and who isn’t a troublemaker. When Augie escapes to Philadelphia dreaming of castles and promise, he becomes a thief and steals a magical book of fairy tales.
Life only gets crazier. For sixth grade, Augie is assigned the meanest, toughest teacher in school. His mom signs him up with a Big Brother he doesn’t want. And he discovers that even in his world, there might be such a thing as a fairy godmother.
Augie is eleven-and-a-half. This is his time for adventure. He hadn’t figured it would begin in a bookstore.
What People are Saying:
“Bauer balances tone and content beautifully in this superb debut… Complex characters and an infinitely readable text make this one of the strongest titles of the year.”
-Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Bauer’s a first time author, but you’d never know it from reading this book. This story is the perfect balance of magic and realism. The characters stick with you, the message isn’t messagey (a good thing, in my eyes), and the first page is suitably gripping. A book kids would actually enjoy reading.” - Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production, listing No Castles Here among her pick of Newbery contenders.
“A successful mingling of genres and a testament to the powerful truths in timeless tales.” -School Library Journal
“[D]ue to some excellent character development, you anxiously wait to hear both the fairy tale stories and Augie’s story… , both were equally enthralling.” -Books4Ever
“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.” -TeansReadToo
“With all these elements, NO CASTLES HERE would be an ambitious project for any author. Remarkably, Bauer fulfills the task seemingly with ease, resulting in a story in which magic can seem real but in which the real magic occurs in the relationships between people, in the truly remarkable things that happen when a community bonds together. Augie is a realistic character who screws up, tells lies and turns his back on people who care for him, but nevertheless has a good heart, particularly once he learns to trust and care for the people who also value him.”-KidsReads.com
“I completely enjoyed this book.” -Hilary McKay, author of Saffy’s Angel
Buy it Here:
Book: No Castles Here
Camden, New Jersey, is the armpit of the world, as far as Augie is concerned. Home to losers and bullies, its schools offer nothing to someone who isn’t smart, isn’t stupid, and who isn’t a troublemaker. When Augie escapes to Philadelphia dreaming of castles and promise, he becomes a thief and steals a magical book of fairy tales.
Life only gets crazier. For sixth grade, Augie is assigned the meanest, toughest teacher in school. His mom signs him up with a Big Brother he doesn’t want. And he discovers that even in his world, there might be such a thing as a fairy godmother.
Augie is eleven-and-a-half. This is his time for adventure. He hadn’t figured it would begin in a bookstore.
What People are Saying:
“Bauer balances tone and content beautifully in this superb debut… Complex characters and an infinitely readable text make this one of the strongest titles of the year.”
-Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Bauer’s a first time author, but you’d never know it from reading this book. This story is the perfect balance of magic and realism. The characters stick with you, the message isn’t messagey (a good thing, in my eyes), and the first page is suitably gripping. A book kids would actually enjoy reading.” - Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production, listing No Castles Here among her pick of Newbery contenders.
“A successful mingling of genres and a testament to the powerful truths in timeless tales.” -School Library Journal
“[D]ue to some excellent character development, you anxiously wait to hear both the fairy tale stories and Augie’s story… , both were equally enthralling.” -Books4Ever
“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.” -TeansReadToo
“With all these elements, NO CASTLES HERE would be an ambitious project for any author. Remarkably, Bauer fulfills the task seemingly with ease, resulting in a story in which magic can seem real but in which the real magic occurs in the relationships between people, in the truly remarkable things that happen when a community bonds together. Augie is a realistic character who screws up, tells lies and turns his back on people who care for him, but nevertheless has a good heart, particularly once he learns to trust and care for the people who also value him.”-KidsReads.com
“I completely enjoyed this book.” -Hilary McKay, author of Saffy’s Angel
Buy it Here: