All the Right Stuff

New York Times bestselling author Walter Dean Myers tackles the social contract from a teen’s perspective in his powerful coming of age story, All the Right Stuff. In one of his most thought-provoking novels to date, Myers weaves together political philosophy, basketball, and making soup in Harlem, with the depth that defines his writing career.

After his father is shot and killed, Paul Dupree finds a summer job at a Harlem soup kitchen as he navigates his grief. Elijah, the soup man, questions Paul about tough life choices in this compelling young adult urban fiction, even though Paul would rather be playing basketball. Over the summer, Paul begins to understand the importance of taking control of your life.

All the Right Stuff includes a Q&A between Walter Dean Myers and Ross Workman, coauthor of Kick.

It’s a summer of big questions in Harlem.

• Coping with Loss: After his father’s sudden death, Paul Dupree must find his own way forward, trading the basketball court for a summer job in a neighborhood soup kitchen.
• Unlikely Mentorship: The soup man, Elijah, serves up more than just meals. He offers Paul a crash course in philosophy, responsibility, and the unwritten rules of life.
• The Social Contract: Through stirring conversations, Paul grapples with what it means to be a good man in a world that isn’t always fair, a central theme in this thought-provoking book for teens.
• A Harlem Summer: Set against the vibrant backdrop of the city streets, this story explores the challenges and choices facing an African American teen finding his place in the world.