Something Noble

by William Kowalski

Linda is a young, hardworking single mom struggling to get by from paycheck to paycheck. When she learns that her son Dre needs a kidney transplant, her family's already precarious financial situation takes a turn for the worst. Then she discovers that the only one who can help Dre is his half-brother LeVon, a drug-dealing gangbanger who thinks only of himself. Somehow Linda must get through to LeVon in order to save her son. Though she is deathly afraid of LeVon and the world he lives in, Linda knows she must conquer her fear and meet him on his own turf if she is to have any hope of success. Linda is finally able to teach LeVon the value of doing something noble with his life. And to her surprise, she learns she has room in her heart for one more kid, a boy from the streets who never had a chance.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2012

Reviews

[Stephanie Smith]

Read this along with my Literacy Learner/Student in Fall 2025.

[Basic.Aphrodite · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was pretty sad but the story was very beautiful and touching

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book, “Something Noble” by William Kowalski, is about a black mother of two boys, named Linda. One of Linda’s son’s father is in jail and her other sons father is always trying to get back into her life. Her and her kids are living on just the little amount she gets from her paychecks, but that isn’t very much for two growing boys and a mother; Especially when she finds out that her eldest son, Dre, needs a kidney transplant. The problem is, besides the money, is that the only person who can give a kidney to Dre is his half brother named Levon. Levon lives on the streets and also sells drugs. It takes a while for Linda to find him, but when she does, a few memories come to mind. Linda is faced with the challenge of asking this “random stranger” for a kidney, for her son. Read, “Something Noble to” to find out if Linda ever gets enough courage to talk to Levon and if Dre lives to graduate.

I really liked this book, I think it was short, but the author managed to cram a lot of character and feeling into it. I like how the author got right to the point and didn’t hang on one thing for too long. This book never bored me, because it just kept moving. It was actually a really interesting book, though it may seem like it isn’t, trust me it is.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars because it was one of the best books for it’s size that I have read in a while. What I liked a lot about this book is that it’s realistic fiction, and that, I can relate to the way they live, to some of my friends that have it going rough too, and it’s just really interesting to see what it’s like to live the way they live; Its like a documentary but fictional. It’s hard to explain, but anyways, I like this book a lot and it makes me think about other peoples lifestyles and how other people have problems too.

[Aang · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrow this book from school. It was a rather short and easy-to-read-book, I wish it was longer, its feel the story went on fast thought I read it in a slow pace.
I thought the story was quit enjoyable and I really like the message with doing something noble with your life.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who is this author?? He's freaking AMAZING!! I almost cried at the end of this book, and very rare do I get emotional when reading. Read it for yourself and you'll see what I mean. 🙂

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short, simple and straightforward tale. The mother here is someone you both like and relate to as she goes about her life doing what mothers need to do.

I did not see the twist coming and was floored by it.

William Kowalski is new on my radar, but I will seek out more of his titles. His target audience is young adult, but I believe he also has broader appeal.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet, but packs a punch

[Carla Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. It was a short read but a great read.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book on audio and loved it. I just wish it was longer! Great read.

[Fofah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad for Levon and the way he died while trying to help his half brother to get his kidney .

[Brittney Stover · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good short read.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great choice for adult literacy and ESL programs.

[Kathryn Rego · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending was kinda sad, but the story is beautifully written.

[Lily Grassetti · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's not bad I'd say 8th grade book

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I work at a high school library and students LOVE Kowalski's books. I decided I needed to read some in order to be able to discuss his books with students, especially those boys who can never find anything they like! The book was very good, ending was a little unexpected, and I will continue to read more Kowalski books.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reading “Something noble” by William Kowalski and I was very impressed with the novel, filled with dramatic scenes. The novel starts out with a lovely single parent family trying to raise her two sons, but one of her boys unfortunately is experiencing a life threatening experience. Since Dre has a rare blood type so that sends Linda out searching for a new kidney. Linda soon discovers that she will have to take it to the extreme and contact some very interesting people related to Dre. One person she contacts is Dre’s half-brother LeVon, a gang banging drug dealing 19 year old teen living in the ghetto part of town. Every page you read in this novel is filled with action packed scenes. The book is also filled with dramatic events mixed with failure and success.

The author did a very good job by introducing the characters and always saying where and what they were doing. I think the author could have improved on making the book a little longer with a little more suspense, but the novel was definitely a page turner. I don’t really enjoy reading but I definitely enjoyed reading this book. William Kowalski included a lot of details and was very descriptive about the different settings and different characters. He painted a picture in my mind as I read the novel, and it felt like I was there with Linda and Dre in every scene.

All in all I recommend this book that isn’t a strong reader and enjoys reading about a different side of town that is not like the lifestyle here in Parksville. The kind of person who would like to read this book would be a person like me who doesn’t really enjoying reading, because I enjoyed the book. Something Noble is a very descriptive read for readers that aren’t strong readers.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Linda’s life is daily struggle to make ends meet for herself and her two boys: Marco, 6, and Dre,16. Dre’s health has taken a recent downturn so Linda really wants to know what is making Dre so ill. Finally, the doctors determine that Dre needs a kidney transplant and Linda wonders how she will ever find the money to pay for this expensive procedure, let alone find a match for her son with the rare AB blood type.

Linda became pregnant with Dre at 16 and was immediately dumped by the boy’s father, a career criminal. However, in the hunt for someone whose kidney would be a good match for Dre, Linda forces herself to visit Dre’s father in prison. Unfortunately, he is not a good match for Dre, but Linda learns of someone else who might be a good fit: LeVon, Dre’s half-brother none of them knew existed. LeVon is a notorious, gangbanging, drug-dealing thug who has never done a noble thing in his life. How can Linda meet him on his turf and convince him, for once, to do something decent and give up a kidney for Dre?

This Orca-sibling book will appeal to reluctant readers who enjoy a fast-paced family drama with a little edge. This book’s reading level is 3.0.

[Hanad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book called Something noble by william Kowalski. this book is about a young single mother who have two boys. Her name is linda, and she is a nurse.her oldest son is name is Dre, he's 16 years old . her other son's name is Marco he's 6 years old. Linda lives paycheck to paycheck, she does not have enough money to take care her family. her life became much harder, when she found out that her oldest son needs kedny transplant. she worried much about the financial cost of the kedny transplant. she can not afford it. Dre's father is in jail. Dre's father had an other boy called Levon. Levon is a gang member. Levon helps his brother by donating his a kedny. Levon died because of the kedny transplant. I liked this book about many things.it is perefect level for may reading skills. the characters about the story are incredible.My favorite charterer is Linda. She is a good mother. the Book is great length, not too short not too big. there sre something i don't like about this bood. there are a lot of dark, depressing, death and vilonce. By Hanad,Y

[Maeve Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not know what quite to make of this book until I researched "Rapid Reads" and in the spirit of the goal behind Rapid Reads, I really enjoyed this story.

Every character in the story has behaved ignobly at some point in their lives and each has an opportunity to do "something noble". I admired the protagonist, Linda, for her determination and for her devotion to her children. I did wonder, though, about the wisdom of inviting danger in the form of LeVon into her home. I am not sure a mother, even a desperate one, would have done that.

The characters were believable, admirable and despicable. The story was fast-paced and relevant.

If you are someone who struggles to read, the tension will keep you glued to the story until the very satisfying ending.

[Adrienna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is classified as an "easy read" in my C library (C Facility), but even though it is written in first person, I truly am liking the storyline. I feel like I am watching and feeling the main character who is a mom, losing her teen child to kidney failure, and last hope is to go to his father that's in prison to ask for his kidney. But the father never had anything to do with his son and only wants to do the kidney transplant to get lesser time in prison, so it is all about him and his benefit, than his son's. So further along, more turns for the worse happen, for a disadvantage, challenged family and wondering what mommy will do to help her son.

Leisure read 2016

[Zewudu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about young mom who has two son's. one of her son's father is in jail. Life is hard for her but when she find out that her oldest son need kidney transplant life become more struggling for her because she doesn't have that much money and the biggest problem was the person who give kidney is drug dealer. To save her son's life she has to find him and talk to him about it. Is she gonna ask Levon to give his kidney to save her son ? Read this book and find out more!!!!!!!

[Salsabrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This engaging hi-lo features a vividly rendered, strong-willed Latina mother in the 'hood doing what she can to care for her teenage son Dre who needs a kidney transplant. Urban fiction that captures the realities of the lower class without relying on bad language to make its point. Representative line from gangbanger LeVon: "Nineteen in the projects is like 90 in the rest of the world."

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this "Rapid Read" good short story, interesting topic, would be a good read for more mature teenagers just starting to read adult themes. This is the first book of this author, I would be happy to read more of his work.

[Ms. Bernards · Rating 3 out of 5]

The inner struggles of a mother who loves her son, but is faced with difficult decisions grab you from the start. It is a great little "Rapid Read" that I can picture high school students as well as adults reading.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great book for struggling high school readers. I worked with a group of six boys--two sophomores, three juniors, and one senior--who were reading it, and they all really liked it and got a lot out of it.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story is about Dre needing a kidney and his mom finding he has a brother who might be able to help out but they don't know each other. Also about what life you want is the one you fight for and not just let things happen.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, this series is for adults, who want a quick read or are struggling readers.

[Braedan H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also good book

[josefinessen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kunde ha varit en djup berättelse men är berättad på ett mycket ytligt och kortfattat sätt. Dock är det väl en del av syftet med att vara en kort och lättläst bok.

[Marylou · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's perfect for reluctant readers. A quick read that is interesting and relevant. I will definitely be reading more of this author's books and can't wait to introduce this title to my students.