Stephanie
Written on Aug 31, 2017
“In the spirit of [Walter Dean Myers’s] Monster meeting The Catcher in the Rye, Goodman’s masterful story will remain with the reader long after the last page, echoing the raw truth that perhaps a real man is one who is both brave and scared.” —Ruta Sepetys, author of Between Shades of Gray
In an environment where kindness equals weakness, how do those who care survive?
Shawn Goodman will capture your heart with this gritty, honest, and moving story about a boy struggling to learn about friendship, brotherhood, and manhood in a society where violence is the answer to every problem.
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“In the spirit of [Walter Dean Myers’s] Monster meeting The Catcher in the Rye, Goodman’s masterful story will remain with the reader long after the last page, echoing the raw truth that perhaps a real man is one who is both brave and scared.” —Ruta Sepetys, author of Between Shades of Gray
In an environment where kindness equals weakness, how do those who care survive?
Shawn Goodman will capture your heart with this gritty, honest, and moving story about a boy struggling to learn about friendship, brotherhood, and manhood in a society where violence is the answer to every problem.
A Tayshas Reading List Pick
An ALA-YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Book
“Shawn Goodman takes us inside the gritty world of our juvenile justice system with the verve of a master storyteller.” —Jordan Sonnenblick, author of Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie
“A gripping story of a boy’s climb to manhood on his own terms.” —Paul Volponi, author of The Final Four
“The reader will be seized by [the boy’s] plight and his determination not only to survive, but to better himself.” —Todd Strasser, author of Give a Boy a Gun
“Kindness for Weakness is a daring, dazzling leap into the dark passage that is the journey to manhood.” —Paul Griffin, author of The Orange Houses
“Gripping action, gritty dialogue, vivid characters, and palpable tension permeate the brief chapters of James’s powerful, honest, compelling narrative.” —School Library Journal
In an environment where kindness equals weakness, how do those who care survive?
Shawn Goodman will capture your heart with this gritty, honest, and moving story about a boy struggling to learn about friendship, brotherhood, and manhood in a society where violence is the answer to every problem.
A Tayshas Reading List Pick
An ALA-YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Book
“Shawn Goodman takes us inside the gritty world of our juvenile justice system with the verve of a master storyteller.” —Jordan Sonnenblick, author of Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie
“A gripping story of a boy’s climb to manhood on his own terms.” —Paul Volponi, author of The Final Four
“The reader will be seized by [the boy’s] plight and his determination not only to survive, but to better himself.” —Todd Strasser, author of Give a Boy a Gun
“Kindness for Weakness is a daring, dazzling leap into the dark passage that is the journey to manhood.” —Paul Griffin, author of The Orange Houses
“Gripping action, gritty dialogue, vivid characters, and palpable tension permeate the brief chapters of James’s powerful, honest, compelling narrative.” —School Library Journal
- ISBN10 0385743254
- ISBN13 9780385743259
- Publish Date 27 January 2015 (first published 14 May 2013)
- Publish Status Inactive
- Out of Print 22 January 2025
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Ember
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 272
- Language English
- URL https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780385743259
Reviews
Angie
Written on Apr 25, 2015
I wasn't sure what to expect from Kindness for Weakness, since the blurb is very vague. What I got was a really dark story about a boy who has no one but himself, and is trying to survive a difficult situation while finding connection. James has a terrible home life, and he's just trying to get by. He starts working for his brother as a delivery boy. James has no idea what he's delivering, but he wants to do well for his brother. Then he gets arrested and thrown into juvie where he needs to tough up or get beat up.
Kindness for Weakness is not an easy read. What goes on inside this youth facility is awful. The guards abuse their power and the nurse just wants to get the paperwork done. No one cares about the well being of these boys except for the counselors. James tries to keep to himself and doesn't cause trouble, mostly because he doesn't know how to fight and just wants to get out of this place unscathed. But he does find friendship with the one boy who the others (including the guards) warn him to stay away from.
I have to say that I think Kindness for Weakness would have been much more interesting if it were from Freddie's POV. I didn't dislike James, but he was just this quiet, naive boy, biding his time. Freddie felt much more fleshed out even though he was just a secondary character. He has a much rougher time in juvie because he's gay and out. Freddie is not ashamed. He also has goals unlike the other boys. He wants to go to college, even though everyone keeps telling him it won't happen. I wanted him to get out and succeed! I can't say the same about James, since I figured he's a good kid and he'd serve his time and go home (or a group home, since his mom isn't exactly a fit parent).
Kindness for Weakness does have a very unexpected ending. No, I won't tell you why it's unexpected. It just is. I haven't read many books with this type of ending, and it took me by surprise. If you think you know the direction that James' story is going, you're wrong.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
Kindness for Weakness is not an easy read. What goes on inside this youth facility is awful. The guards abuse their power and the nurse just wants to get the paperwork done. No one cares about the well being of these boys except for the counselors. James tries to keep to himself and doesn't cause trouble, mostly because he doesn't know how to fight and just wants to get out of this place unscathed. But he does find friendship with the one boy who the others (including the guards) warn him to stay away from.
I have to say that I think Kindness for Weakness would have been much more interesting if it were from Freddie's POV. I didn't dislike James, but he was just this quiet, naive boy, biding his time. Freddie felt much more fleshed out even though he was just a secondary character. He has a much rougher time in juvie because he's gay and out. Freddie is not ashamed. He also has goals unlike the other boys. He wants to go to college, even though everyone keeps telling him it won't happen. I wanted him to get out and succeed! I can't say the same about James, since I figured he's a good kid and he'd serve his time and go home (or a group home, since his mom isn't exactly a fit parent).
Kindness for Weakness does have a very unexpected ending. No, I won't tell you why it's unexpected. It just is. I haven't read many books with this type of ending, and it took me by surprise. If you think you know the direction that James' story is going, you're wrong.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.