As educators, we strive to bring stories into the classroom that not only engage our students but also broaden their understanding of the world. Alex Kotlowitz’s There Are No Children Here is one such book—an extraordinary work of investigative journalism that delves into the lives of two young boys, Lafeyette and Pharoah Rivers, growing up in the Henry Horner Homes, a public housing project in Chicago. This nonfiction narrative is more than a compelling read; it offers a unique opportunity for students to grapple with themes of resilience, systemic poverty, and the loss of childhood innocence.
If you’re looking for a book that will challenge your students to think critically about social issues, this is it. Here’s why There Are No Children Here belongs in your curriculum and how you can approach teaching it.
The Value of Teaching Nonfiction
Nonfiction literature, particularly investigative journalism like Kotlowitz’s work, provides students with a grounded view of real-world issues. While fiction allows students to explore imaginative worlds and universal truths, nonfiction brings them face-to-face with the complexities of our society. There Are No Children Here opens students’ eyes to the stark realities of poverty, violence, and systemic neglect that many communities face—issues that are often underrepresented in the typical classroom curriculum.
In teaching nonfiction, students learn to analyze fact-based narratives, evaluate sources, and consider how a journalist’s perspective shapes the storytelling. This skill set is invaluable not only in their academic development but also in their ability to navigate today’s media-saturated world. Kotlowitz’s book is a masterclass in empathetic journalism, where facts are combined with a deep, human-centered narrative, making it a perfect introduction to this genre for high school students.
Important Themes to Explore
There Are No Children Here touches on several themes that are as relevant today as they were when the book was published in 1991. These themes provide rich ground for classroom discussion and critical thinking:
Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Kotlowitz’s portrayal of Lafeyette and Pharoah’s lives highlights the incredible resilience of children growing up in harsh environments. Despite the violence, instability, and poverty surrounding them, the boys demonstrate moments of hope, courage, and tenacity.
Dreams and Dreams Deferred: Throughout the book, the characters—especially Pharoah—harbor dreams of escaping their circumstances, but the reality of systemic poverty often dims those dreams. The novel prompts students to think about the importance of dreams and how societal structures can hinder or support the pursuit of those aspirations.
Loss of Childhood Innocence: One of the most heartbreaking aspects of the book is the premature loss of innocence experienced by the children in the Henry Horner Homes. Kotlowitz poignantly captures how violence and trauma strip away the carefree nature of childhood, leaving these boys with adult responsibilities at a young age.
Systemic Inequality: The novel paints a vivid picture of the ways systemic failures—whether in housing, education, or policing—contribute to the struggles of low-income communities. By exploring these themes, students can better understand how institutions shape the lives of individuals, especially those in marginalized communities.
Investigative Journalism as a Teaching Tool
One of the most remarkable aspects of There Are No Children Here is the way Kotlowitz immerses himself in the lives of the Rivers family. As an investigative journalist, he didn’t just report from a distance—he spent a year living with and observing the family, building trust, and telling their story with compassion and integrity. This type of journalism opens a window into the human side of systemic issues, something that raw statistics or news reports can’t always capture.
Teaching this book offers a fantastic opportunity to introduce students to the role of investigative journalism. Discuss with your class how Kotlowitz gathered his information, the ethical considerations he faced, and how his reporting helped bring attention to issues of public housing and urban poverty. It’s a great way to show students the impact that journalism can have on public policy and awareness.
Ideas for Teaching There Are No Children Here
To make the most of There Are No Children Here in your classroom, consider the following teaching strategies:
Thematic Journals: Encourage students to keep a journal as they read, focusing on themes like resilience, the impact of poverty, and lost childhood. Ask them to reflect on these themes in their own lives or in the world around them.
Research Projects: Have students investigate a current issue related to poverty, education, or public housing in their own communities. This can help students connect the themes of the book to present-day realities, fostering a deeper understanding of how these issues persist.
Debates and Socratic Seminars: Hold a class debate or seminar on topics such as the role of government in public housing, the ethics of journalism, or the impact of violence on youth. This allows students to engage critically with the material and consider different perspectives.
Comparative Analysis with Fiction: Pair There Are No Children Here with a fictional work that deals with similar themes, such as To Kill a Mockingbird or The Outsiders. Students can compare how fiction and nonfiction address issues like poverty and injustice, and how each genre brings different strengths to the conversation.
Creative Projects: Allow students to create multimedia projects that express their response to the book’s themes. They could make short films, podcasts, or photo essays that capture the challenges faced by communities like Henry Horner or those in their own cities.
- Film: Show students the movie version of There are No Children Here and have students compare and contrast the work in two different mediums.
The Power of Stories Like There Are No Children Here
Teaching There Are No Children Here provides a chance to expose students to stories of resilience, social inequality, and the power of hope. It shows the real-life impact of systemic failures, but it also gives students a sense of the strength and courage it takes to survive in such environments. As educators, it’s our role to guide students in understanding these complexities and to foster empathy, critical thinking, and a sense of social responsibility.
By bringing nonfiction like Kotlowitz’s work into the classroom, we equip our students with the tools to engage deeply with the world around them, encouraging them to become more thoughtful, informed citizens.
