Kindness for Weakness

by Shawn Goodman

[Angie]

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.