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A Kid from Southie
High school senior Aiden O'Connor's life is in turmoil. Bored with school, his growing skill at boxing won't pay the rent when his drunken father leaves, and someone is keeping his mom from finding work in any pub in South Boston. Lured by childhood friend Tommy's promise of easy money, Aiden reluctantly gets mixed up with the Irish mob. Aiden's strong sense of honor makes him a bit too good at his job with the King of the Street, who wants to keep Aiden involved for reasons of his own. Conflicted about nearly everything, Aiden has to decode where his loyalties lie and when he has had enough. Exploding with tough choices and the grit of true crime, A Kid from Southie is the story of one teen's dangerous trip through the temptations of power and the sacrifices that come with it on his way to deciding who he wants to be.
239 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
John "Red" Shea
4 books4 followersJohn "Red" Shea, 40, was a top lieutenant in the South Boston Irish mob run, led by James "Whitey" Bulger. An ice–cold enforcer with a red–hot temper, Shea was a legend among his peers in the 1990s South Boston, as much as John Gotti, Bugsy Siegel, and Al Capone were in their time and place.
From the age of thirteen, when he started robbing delivery trucks, to the age of twenty–seven, when he began serving a twelve–year federal sentence for drug trafficking, Shea was a portrait in American crime – a bantam–weight, red–headed terror, brutal with his fists and deadly with a lead pipe, a baseball bat, or a knife. At fifteen he was selling marijuana . At seventeen he was handling Bulger's cocaine. At eighteen he was loan sharking and laundering Bulger's money. At twenty, initiated into Bulger's inner circle at the point of an Uzi, he was running a multimillion–dollar narcotics operation for his mentor.
RAT BASTARDS was the first–ever, firsthand account of mob life that wasn't told by a rat. Red Shea did his crime, then did his time––and never informed, unlike Henry Hill of Wiseguy, Sammy "The Bull" Gravano of Underboss, and so many others. Holding fast to the code of his upbringing, he remained a man of honor.
John "Red" Shea, forty, completed his twelve-year federal prison sentence in 2002 and is now living on the right side of the law and working in Boston, Massachusetts.
From the age of thirteen, when he started robbing delivery trucks, to the age of twenty–seven, when he began serving a twelve–year federal sentence for drug trafficking, Shea was a portrait in American crime – a bantam–weight, red–headed terror, brutal with his fists and deadly with a lead pipe, a baseball bat, or a knife. At fifteen he was selling marijuana . At seventeen he was handling Bulger's cocaine. At eighteen he was loan sharking and laundering Bulger's money. At twenty, initiated into Bulger's inner circle at the point of an Uzi, he was running a multimillion–dollar narcotics operation for his mentor.
RAT BASTARDS was the first–ever, firsthand account of mob life that wasn't told by a rat. Red Shea did his crime, then did his time––and never informed, unlike Henry Hill of Wiseguy, Sammy "The Bull" Gravano of Underboss, and so many others. Holding fast to the code of his upbringing, he remained a man of honor.
John "Red" Shea, forty, completed his twelve-year federal prison sentence in 2002 and is now living on the right side of the law and working in Boston, Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 13, 2025
I am almost positive nobody from southie read this book. He's a good ball. Even though he don't say it's based on reds life. But I'm sure its supposed to be loosely based off his life. But funny thing is anyone who lived in southie knows red shea never worked hand to hand with whitey bulger. This entire entry made me laugh tears.
December 8, 2021
I thought this book was great at capturing relatable scenarios that go on in american society, however I do wish this book connected to the ending more. But overall, a very solid book.
January 20, 2012
Originally posted at:http://aurorareviews.blogspot.com/201...
Life is hard in South Boston and there aren’t a whole lot of opportunities for a kid from Southie, either. Enter Aiden O’Connor, a high school senior who gets a double kick in the gut when his alcoholic and abusive father runs off, leaving him and his unemployed mother alone to fend for themselves. In the fashion of so many teenage boys, Aiden is bound and determined to find another way to survive, no matter the cost. But to what lengths will he go to keep a roof over his head?
Aiden O’Connor has a lot in common with his father – a quick temper, a need to fight, and a desire to prove himself in any way he can. However, he at least sees the disaster his father has made of his life because of his alcoholism and does his best to not follow in his old man’s footsteps. Unfortunately, Aiden can be an utterly unlikable character at times: he’s hard hearted, rude, sometimes inconsiderate and just arrogant to the extreme. However, he does have his shining moments of clarity, too. He has a huge soft spot for his mother, even when he feels she doesn’t deserve it. Those moments when he’s around his Angel, a beautiful Cuban girl from his neighborhood, he finds that he may just be able to redeem himself, too. With her help, he may someday make himself into a good and decent man, despite the odds.
A Kid From Southie is chock full of lessons about life. From the discrimination against Aiden based on where he’s from to that against his girlfriend of mixed race, Aiden is forced to combat Boston’s – and the world’s – misconceptions and prejudices. He learns the hard way about so-called easy money vs. hard work and why the easy way isn’t always the best way. This trip through the school of hard knocks is about to knock this young boy around and good, but when he comes out the other side, he’ll be more man than he ever dreamed he could be.
While tough to read sometimes due to the extreme circumstances Aiden finds himself in, the ending for Aiden and his family is worth it all.
Life is hard in South Boston and there aren’t a whole lot of opportunities for a kid from Southie, either. Enter Aiden O’Connor, a high school senior who gets a double kick in the gut when his alcoholic and abusive father runs off, leaving him and his unemployed mother alone to fend for themselves. In the fashion of so many teenage boys, Aiden is bound and determined to find another way to survive, no matter the cost. But to what lengths will he go to keep a roof over his head?
Aiden O’Connor has a lot in common with his father – a quick temper, a need to fight, and a desire to prove himself in any way he can. However, he at least sees the disaster his father has made of his life because of his alcoholism and does his best to not follow in his old man’s footsteps. Unfortunately, Aiden can be an utterly unlikable character at times: he’s hard hearted, rude, sometimes inconsiderate and just arrogant to the extreme. However, he does have his shining moments of clarity, too. He has a huge soft spot for his mother, even when he feels she doesn’t deserve it. Those moments when he’s around his Angel, a beautiful Cuban girl from his neighborhood, he finds that he may just be able to redeem himself, too. With her help, he may someday make himself into a good and decent man, despite the odds.
A Kid From Southie is chock full of lessons about life. From the discrimination against Aiden based on where he’s from to that against his girlfriend of mixed race, Aiden is forced to combat Boston’s – and the world’s – misconceptions and prejudices. He learns the hard way about so-called easy money vs. hard work and why the easy way isn’t always the best way. This trip through the school of hard knocks is about to knock this young boy around and good, but when he comes out the other side, he’ll be more man than he ever dreamed he could be.
While tough to read sometimes due to the extreme circumstances Aiden finds himself in, the ending for Aiden and his family is worth it all.
December 7, 2011
I read A Kid from Southie about a week ago and I've put off reviewing it because I just don't have many nice things to say about it.
Prior to reading this, I thought that it was going to be a really great, uplifting story. I thought that Aiden would triumph and rise from a horrible situation to make something out of his life. I could almost here the strains of music from a Disney movie! However, rather than being an uplifting, positive story, this book just made me slip into a depression as dire as Aiden's.
Aiden begins boxing to find a positive outlet in his crappy life. His mom is a drunk, his dad is a drunk, his best friend is a thief. Unfortunately, the Who's Who in his life does not get much better from there.
Against his better judgement, Aiden takes a job running "errands" for the Irish mob. While some of the scenes would be fine for an episode of The Soprano's, they are a bit unsettling for a YA fiction. One part that left me physically nauseous was when he puts a mouthful of razor blades on a guys tongue to "get his point across."
Mixed in with all the mob drama is Aiden's relationship with Angel. Although she desperately wants Aiden to be good and do something with his life, he prefers making quick, easy cash and beating the stuffing out of everyone from classmates to his trainer.
Unfortunately, this book was not the great book for boys that I thought it would be. Also, a note to John Shea, you don't need to have every word be a swear in order to make your story appealing. Yes, I know that you were trying to mimic the tough street-talk of Boston, but really, sometimes enough is enough.
This story left me greatly disappointed and won't be one that I will recommend any time soon.
Prior to reading this, I thought that it was going to be a really great, uplifting story. I thought that Aiden would triumph and rise from a horrible situation to make something out of his life. I could almost here the strains of music from a Disney movie! However, rather than being an uplifting, positive story, this book just made me slip into a depression as dire as Aiden's.
Aiden begins boxing to find a positive outlet in his crappy life. His mom is a drunk, his dad is a drunk, his best friend is a thief. Unfortunately, the Who's Who in his life does not get much better from there.
Against his better judgement, Aiden takes a job running "errands" for the Irish mob. While some of the scenes would be fine for an episode of The Soprano's, they are a bit unsettling for a YA fiction. One part that left me physically nauseous was when he puts a mouthful of razor blades on a guys tongue to "get his point across."
Mixed in with all the mob drama is Aiden's relationship with Angel. Although she desperately wants Aiden to be good and do something with his life, he prefers making quick, easy cash and beating the stuffing out of everyone from classmates to his trainer.
Unfortunately, this book was not the great book for boys that I thought it would be. Also, a note to John Shea, you don't need to have every word be a swear in order to make your story appealing. Yes, I know that you were trying to mimic the tough street-talk of Boston, but really, sometimes enough is enough.
This story left me greatly disappointed and won't be one that I will recommend any time soon.
December 11, 2015
This book is about a 17 year old boxer named Aidan O'Connor. When his father left his and him and his mother that doesn't have a job nor can she find a job it is up to Aidan to support his and his mother's needs financially. His best friend Tommy tries to persuade him that joining the Irish mob is a good idea. Aidan runs into many internal and external issues such as a quick temper and a need to fight just like his father.
One of the major reasons I really liked this book is I was able to relate to Aidan in many ways. One way I related to him is boxing. Boxing requires a lot of hard work and dedication and I play other sports and I box so I was understanding of this part of the plot. Another area I was able to empathize with Aidan was the idea of peer pressure. I might not have been pressured to break the law but I have been pressured to do things I don't want to do.
I really have a strong liking for this book because it demonstrates the coming of age. Aidan really matured over the plot of this story due to the fact that he had to become more independent in becoming an adult. My favorite part of this book was just the imagery of boxing really showed that hard work pays off. I really didn't have much of a "least favorite part" because the book was solid from beginning to end.
In conclusion I really enjoyed reading this book , and I would recommend it to anyone over the age of 14 years of age. This books engraves a bunch of life lessons into the plot.
One of the major reasons I really liked this book is I was able to relate to Aidan in many ways. One way I related to him is boxing. Boxing requires a lot of hard work and dedication and I play other sports and I box so I was understanding of this part of the plot. Another area I was able to empathize with Aidan was the idea of peer pressure. I might not have been pressured to break the law but I have been pressured to do things I don't want to do.
I really have a strong liking for this book because it demonstrates the coming of age. Aidan really matured over the plot of this story due to the fact that he had to become more independent in becoming an adult. My favorite part of this book was just the imagery of boxing really showed that hard work pays off. I really didn't have much of a "least favorite part" because the book was solid from beginning to end.
In conclusion I really enjoyed reading this book , and I would recommend it to anyone over the age of 14 years of age. This books engraves a bunch of life lessons into the plot.
August 12, 2016
Aidan is a promising boxer from Southie. His dad is a drunk, his mom not much better. When she gets fired from her job, and they are in danger of losing their apartment in the projects of South Boston, Aidan makes a deal through a friend to make some easy money. Little does he know that he's getting himself in deeper and deeper with the organized crime world that runs Southie. Only his love for his mother and girlfriend, Angel, can save him.
We are all familiar with Southie, thanks to Mark Wahlberg et al. This is another story of a good kid whose circumstances are all set against him. We're rooting for him, but the choices he makes seem to just get him in deeper and deeper. Will he be able to pull himself of the trap he has created by getting himself kicked out of school and working for mob?
A page-turner based on Shea's teen years and written with the help of YA author Michael Harmon. This is a compelling story. Aidan and his friends are great characters and there are plenty of twists and turns in the plot to keep you reading and rooting for him and for his relationship with Angel.
We are all familiar with Southie, thanks to Mark Wahlberg et al. This is another story of a good kid whose circumstances are all set against him. We're rooting for him, but the choices he makes seem to just get him in deeper and deeper. Will he be able to pull himself of the trap he has created by getting himself kicked out of school and working for mob?
A page-turner based on Shea's teen years and written with the help of YA author Michael Harmon. This is a compelling story. Aidan and his friends are great characters and there are plenty of twists and turns in the plot to keep you reading and rooting for him and for his relationship with Angel.
April 16, 2013
Talented boxer, persevere O’Connor, is from the poor, rough side of South Boston. When his raw talent and temper combine, he finds himself kicked out of school. I was right there with conflicted Aiden as he was forced to make some tough decisions about his future. The gritty street vibe was palpable and I held my breath as Aiden navigated the intense, frightening world of organized crime. I was captivated as Aiden sorted through the complexities of love, loyalty, compassion, family honor, friendship and what it means to be a man. John “Red” Shea & Michael Harmon’s Kid from Southie packs an impressive wallop.
March 9, 2012
Pretty harrowing story about a high school kid who gets caught up in the Irish mob in South Boston. The author (himself a former member of the Winter Hill Gang and associate of Irish mobster Whitey Bulger) draws the reader in with tense storytelling. He vividly describes the trials and tribulations of a poor kid who grudgingly accepts his role when he's forced to work for the local gangster. It's heartbreaking to see Aiden's conscience struggling with his desire to get himself out of the cycle of poverty.
February 28, 2012
A good recommendation for reluctant readers looking for action with heart. If I'd stopped half-way through I'd have given this 5 stars; unfortunately the story goes from following the very real life of an Irish Catholic teen in South Boston to an overblown gangster saga. Additionally, the editing is very thin in spots and the protagonist has some grandly expressed thoughts unlikely to be found in anyone failing all of his subjects and with an admitted disregard for education.
Still - I think a lot of teens will really enjoy it!
Still - I think a lot of teens will really enjoy it!
May 25, 2013
This was a tough one for me to rate...I wavered between 2,3 & 4 stars. On one hand, I was evaluating is for myself, hence the 2/3. But, if I were to evaluate it and recommend it for my students or YA patrons, I would have to give it a 3/4. There's a ton of grit, action and emotion, and it's great to have another "guy" book to recommend. This is not an easy read, there is violence, language and some tough home situations, but it's "real", honest and unflinching. I'm already holding it for one of my students who I know will love it.
January 7, 2012
Toni Morrison caliber writing it's not (nor need it be) and yeah, the pretty red ribbon redemption ending is oh, just a tad over the top. Nevertheless, A Kid from Southie makes remains a suprisingly addictive read -- lots of action, an interesting slice of life / cultural examination as well as a cool piece of urban lit sure to intrigue reluctant reader teen guys.
How ya like them apples (from Good Will Hunting, which please, please tell me you've seen!)
How ya like them apples (from Good Will Hunting, which please, please tell me you've seen!)
May 5, 2013
Sopranos for High school males! For fans of Volponi, and sports/boxing fans. A book for reluctant male readers in the importance of making good, hard choices in life. I do wish education was stressed more in the way out of bad circumstances and bad home/street life.
John Shea, author, this book is dedicated to all the kids that have taken a wrong turn in life, or those who feel trapped by their circumstances, to remind them that there is always hope and that they have a power to change.
John Shea, author, this book is dedicated to all the kids that have taken a wrong turn in life, or those who feel trapped by their circumstances, to remind them that there is always hope and that they have a power to change.
September 1, 2012
The Sopranos for young adults...I never would have believed the premise had I not heard stories from an Irish fellow about growing up in South Boston. Whoa. A Kid From Southie reads like a Sopranos script. Something about it stops at three stars, I think it's the plot. Will high school readers relate to a gangster/boxing coach paternity mystery?
May 17, 2011
Not too bad, but not the best I've read this year, either. Good story about a kid who has to make some hard choices.
August 6, 2014
I definitely think certain boys in my class would enjoy this book. I just wish a "boy book" wasn't so full of swearing...geez.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews