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.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for older teen readers and adults who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

William Kowalski's profile page

• Nominated, Forest of Reading Golden Oak Award

William Kowalski is the bestselling, award-winning author of many novels including seven in the Rapid Reads line. His first novel, Eddie’s Bastard, won the 1999 Rosenstein Award, the 2001 Ama-Boeke Prize, and occupied the #5 spot on the Times of London bestseller list. His fifth novel, The Hundred Hearts, won the 2014 Thomas H. Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award. He has been nominated three times for the Ontario Library Association’s Golden Oak Award and his books have been translated into fifteen languages. William lives with his family in Nova Scotia.

"The main characters are well-drawn and sympathetic...With an eye-catching cover, this is a quick read, and will appeal to reluctant readers."

Tri State YA Book Review Committee

"I know my boys are going to enjoy reading this book. It is the best novel of its kind, in my opinion...[Something Noble] has everything they will admire, including a CHANGE OF HEART!"

Nancy H., Special Education Teacher

"This engaging, quick read is aimed at adult reluctant/struggling readers, but may find appeal at the upper high school level."

NJ Youth Services

"Linda's voice snags readers' attention with the first sentence...[and] there are several nifty twists...Marked by an authentic plot and realistic characters, this slim volume delivers what it advertises and deserves a bright spotlight."

Library Journal

"Will strike a chord with any reader who enjoys family drama with a bit of an edge...The author details a gripping tale about a mother's love and a selfless act of one brother for another despite a short-lived relationship between them. An emotional roller coaster, the story should be ridden by all readers... In the time when the gap between parents and teenagers can seem far, this book can certainly bridge it. This is a book to read."

VOYA

"Paced to attract the attention of young adult and adult readers, the story deals with intensely emotional issues of life and death...[and] is short and action-centered."

CM Magazine