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No Exit
Benny Churchill and Bug Beetle are off and running on the last day of school. They are ready for a great summer of fun with the Apple Grove Gang. Instead, they learn a lesson in politics. When the Apple Grove Community Center is closed, the Gang finds out just how hard it is to fight city hall. Finally, when their backs are against the wall, and they find out that there is no exit, the real fun and excitement begin.
126 pages, Paperback
First published May 30, 2012
190 people are currently reading
488 people want to read
About the author
Hamilton C. Burger
8 books59 followersAlways a reader, I inhaled books during my days of extensive world travel. Before the Nook and Kindle, even before laptops became the norm, I would pack six or eight paperbacks for an extended trip.
I think the desire to write has always been in me. The first step is the hardest part of the journey. Since I took that step, I haven't looked back.
In my journey, I have met many authors whose support and friendship have taken some of the twists and turns out of the road.
I have been married 33 years. My wife and I have two beautiful daughters, Katie and Maddie.
Besides writing, I love to cook, travel, drive my Corvette. I have a dog and two cats...and a rat named Arlo.
I think the desire to write has always been in me. The first step is the hardest part of the journey. Since I took that step, I haven't looked back.
In my journey, I have met many authors whose support and friendship have taken some of the twists and turns out of the road.
I have been married 33 years. My wife and I have two beautiful daughters, Katie and Maddie.
Besides writing, I love to cook, travel, drive my Corvette. I have a dog and two cats...and a rat named Arlo.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 28, 2014
I give "No Exit" a 4 star rating. It has action and suspense. Politics are involved as a Community Center is closed down. The kids from Apple Grove will stop at nothing to see it stay open.
It was a fun read and I'm sure kids will love the story. This big kid liked it. In fact I highly recommend it. Kids can have fun outside and enjoy being together. I would love to have had a "Pops" around me when I was growing up. Pops was a wonderful character that encouraged the kids. Thumps up!
It was a fun read and I'm sure kids will love the story. This big kid liked it. In fact I highly recommend it. Kids can have fun outside and enjoy being together. I would love to have had a "Pops" around me when I was growing up. Pops was a wonderful character that encouraged the kids. Thumps up!
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July 1, 2012No Exit is a fun little read that is perfect for reading in the summer. It’s quite a short book so I was able to read it in one sitting.
There are a lot of characters in the book that make up the main focus of the story and I really liked all of them. I think that as this is a series you will probably have to read more of the books in the series to get to know each character even better.
I really enjoyed the story line, it was light, fun and it was more realistic in some senses than other books.
This one is suited for a middle grade type of audience and so if you’re older it is a little predictable but don’t let that stop you from reading this book.
If you’re looking for a fun, light summer read then I would encourage you to read No Exit by Hamilton C. Burger because it is fun, funny and a little adventurous. You might just enjoy it.
There are a lot of characters in the book that make up the main focus of the story and I really liked all of them. I think that as this is a series you will probably have to read more of the books in the series to get to know each character even better.
I really enjoyed the story line, it was light, fun and it was more realistic in some senses than other books.
This one is suited for a middle grade type of audience and so if you’re older it is a little predictable but don’t let that stop you from reading this book.
If you’re looking for a fun, light summer read then I would encourage you to read No Exit by Hamilton C. Burger because it is fun, funny and a little adventurous. You might just enjoy it.
October 7, 2014
This book was received as a giveaway.
I did not find this book very exciting or interesting. The story seemed to jump from scene to scene and lacked flow. The story itself was difficult to relate to for an adult, let alone a child. Having let children in my school read it, they found it very hard to relate to. The characters were not well introduced either. All in all, i was disappointed,i could go on.
I did not find this book very exciting or interesting. The story seemed to jump from scene to scene and lacked flow. The story itself was difficult to relate to for an adult, let alone a child. Having let children in my school read it, they found it very hard to relate to. The characters were not well introduced either. All in all, i was disappointed,i could go on.
February 26, 2013
This is a super chapter book for elementary age.
Each character is an individual with different
and unique talents and abilities. They are a club
and meet as a group and brain storm and problem solve
as situations arise. The book emphasizes the importance
of friends and how friends help and support each other.
There is adventure and suspense to keep ones attention.
Each character is an individual with different
and unique talents and abilities. They are a club
and meet as a group and brain storm and problem solve
as situations arise. The book emphasizes the importance
of friends and how friends help and support each other.
There is adventure and suspense to keep ones attention.
June 30, 2012
This is a charming story about a time and place that may no longer exist. The author seems to draw not only from his vivid imagination but from memories of a small town where people proudly stood up to help one another. Hooray for Apple Grove!
January 17, 2013
wonderful young read
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November 12, 2019I read this because it fit a category in my reading challenge - it was not great. Even though I'm not the audience, the punctuation and sentence structures were enough to turn me against it :)
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March 21, 2013Originally posted at The Brazilian Bookworm
Hello everyone!
I'm here to talk about No Exit by Hamilton C. Burger, a wonderful Middle Grade book about a group of kids who finds themselves fighting the existing order and trying to get back what's theirs and helping their community all in one run.
We follow the Apple Grove Gang in an adventure - it's the first day of summer, school is out and they're free for several months, to play with their friends but... What if they can't?
Their usual place of fun, the Community Center, is closed down by the mayor and Cliff, Bug's brother, is out of a job at the toll station and the Community Center too, so they have two major issues that they want solved before they can enjoy the summer. But they are just children and what can children do against the mayor and other politicians?
Well, a lot, it seems, with hope and determination. And a little bit of luck too, of course. With a little help from their friends, looks like everything is possible and people can be actually happy.
This book has that Sunday afternoon movie kind of feeling, where children are off to save the world and it seems so much easier and nicer than the real world. Even if the bad guys are evil, sometimes only because they feel like being evil, for money or because they don't like children, they are always defeated and the children are always the ones to do it, on their simple way.
I think that's what I liked about the book and I've been having a hard time putting into words. It is a simple book, with an easy-to-follow plot, characters that are as deep as children can be - not very complicated but very emotional, honest and simply willing to help-, and a lovable "you can be anything you want" kind of mood. It really put me in a great mood that I couldn`t translate and for that I apologize, specially to the author, who has been waiting for the review for months now.
For children looking for a simple big book or adults who just need a break from all the complicated issues in life, to enjoy some childhood simple-ness again, I highly recommend this book.
Hello everyone!
I'm here to talk about No Exit by Hamilton C. Burger, a wonderful Middle Grade book about a group of kids who finds themselves fighting the existing order and trying to get back what's theirs and helping their community all in one run.
We follow the Apple Grove Gang in an adventure - it's the first day of summer, school is out and they're free for several months, to play with their friends but... What if they can't?
Their usual place of fun, the Community Center, is closed down by the mayor and Cliff, Bug's brother, is out of a job at the toll station and the Community Center too, so they have two major issues that they want solved before they can enjoy the summer. But they are just children and what can children do against the mayor and other politicians?
Well, a lot, it seems, with hope and determination. And a little bit of luck too, of course. With a little help from their friends, looks like everything is possible and people can be actually happy.
This book has that Sunday afternoon movie kind of feeling, where children are off to save the world and it seems so much easier and nicer than the real world. Even if the bad guys are evil, sometimes only because they feel like being evil, for money or because they don't like children, they are always defeated and the children are always the ones to do it, on their simple way.
I think that's what I liked about the book and I've been having a hard time putting into words. It is a simple book, with an easy-to-follow plot, characters that are as deep as children can be - not very complicated but very emotional, honest and simply willing to help-, and a lovable "you can be anything you want" kind of mood. It really put me in a great mood that I couldn`t translate and for that I apologize, specially to the author, who has been waiting for the review for months now.
For children looking for a simple big book or adults who just need a break from all the complicated issues in life, to enjoy some childhood simple-ness again, I highly recommend this book.
October 9, 2013
This is the first in a series of books about the Apple Grove Gang. The mystery adventure tale chronicles a group of friends who live in a small town forty or fifty years ago when children played outside and teamed together to solve common problems. The two main characters named Benny and Bug are about to begin summer vacation when they make a startling discovery. Not only is Exit 23 on the toll highway about to be closed, but this major loss of town revenue will force the closing of the community center where the local kids hang out. So the gang becomes determined to get to the bottom of this issue by sneaking into the mayor’s office to get the lowdown. But the mayor refuses to listen, and nothing seems to add up. Together with the help of a few adults, the gang use their detective skills to get the answers they need, finding many surprises along the way.
The characters are well developed and the story line moves along quickly in this book of approximately one hundred twenty five pages. The written dialogue is age appropriate with just the right amount of conversation and background description. Readers are given an authentic glimpse of small town life and local politics. However, in this story, the children come up with the solutions. Lessons of friendship and community loyalty are well developed.
This tale is a quick read for tweens and teens. Older adults will love the nostalgia and feel good vibes. Members of this gang are not into themselves and stand together as friends who need to make a wrong right. Nothing complicated here, just a story that will appeal to both girls and boys empowering them to believe they can also be problem solvers. A few more illustrations of action scenes in the book might make the read more appealing to younger readers. This is a perfect lazy afternoon read and the quick pace encourages reluctant readers. At the end of the book, there is a bonus chapter introducing Gold Fever, the second adventure in the Apple Grove series.
The characters are well developed and the story line moves along quickly in this book of approximately one hundred twenty five pages. The written dialogue is age appropriate with just the right amount of conversation and background description. Readers are given an authentic glimpse of small town life and local politics. However, in this story, the children come up with the solutions. Lessons of friendship and community loyalty are well developed.
This tale is a quick read for tweens and teens. Older adults will love the nostalgia and feel good vibes. Members of this gang are not into themselves and stand together as friends who need to make a wrong right. Nothing complicated here, just a story that will appeal to both girls and boys empowering them to believe they can also be problem solvers. A few more illustrations of action scenes in the book might make the read more appealing to younger readers. This is a perfect lazy afternoon read and the quick pace encourages reluctant readers. At the end of the book, there is a bonus chapter introducing Gold Fever, the second adventure in the Apple Grove series.
April 10, 2013
It's been couple of years since I've read a children's book. I found No Exit to be a great story for both young and old. For adults... A flashback into time before technology was fun and took over a child's playtime. The outdoors is where all the fun happened. Playing the best games or visiting your favorite hangout. For children... a fun group of kids, friends. That band together to save their neighborhood. Great to give them an idea of team work, family and friendship.
Great characters (my favorite is Pops), tons of fun to be had, excellent descriptions and an exciting adventure. Perfect for a childhood escape or something to read with your child. I WILL be reading book 2 of the series! I love the kids of The Apple Grove Gang :)
Great characters (my favorite is Pops), tons of fun to be had, excellent descriptions and an exciting adventure. Perfect for a childhood escape or something to read with your child. I WILL be reading book 2 of the series! I love the kids of The Apple Grove Gang :)
March 9, 2013
My 11-year-old daughter and I read this novel together. Overall we both really liked the story. We found it to be realistic. Alex felt as though she knew Bug and Benny but did think it would be really hard on someone her age to be as tall as her father. She giggled when Bug asked for apples as he and Benny were eating them.
There’s nothing objectionable about this novel. No violence or swearing. The baddie is simply greedy and the end works out as a realistic solution. Adults are present in the story-line and frequently active without taking over as the stars of the show.
No Exit is a great tale of how anyone, no matter your age, can make a difference.
There’s nothing objectionable about this novel. No violence or swearing. The baddie is simply greedy and the end works out as a realistic solution. Adults are present in the story-line and frequently active without taking over as the stars of the show.
No Exit is a great tale of how anyone, no matter your age, can make a difference.
January 19, 2015
This is a great book to show the value of friendships and helping others. In this book, Bug, Benny and the Apple Grove Gang worked together to help save the community center and an exit 23 that was shutdown. The main issue I had with this book is that it seemed to jump around a bit to where I had to refocus about where the story was leading. This book would be adequate for a fifth to sixth grade reader, but could also be read to younger grades as a read-a-loud by the teacher. I did like the fact that the setting was in a small town in 1960.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews