Synopses & Reviews
A provocative new novel from the national ambassador for young people's literature and the
New York Times bestselling author of
MonsterWho's on top of the social food chain? How do you get ahead? Who makes the rules? Who needs to follow them?
Paul DuPree is working at a soup kitchen in Harlem the summer his father dies, just trying to get by. But Elijah, the soup man, won't stop talking about the social contract and asking Paul questions about heavy-duty things. Paul has never thought about this stuff. He'd rather hang out with Keisha, an unwed teen mom whose basketball skills rival his own.
Then Sly, a notorious Harlem big shot, shows up. Paul is both intrigued and intimidated by Sly and his conspiracy theories, and for once he starts contemplating how you really get ahead in life. As the talk of what-ifs turns into reality, Paul realizes his summer is about more than getting by—it's about taking charge of your life.
Review
“Myers has cooked up a provocative novel that simmers long after its last pages.” Chicago Sun-Times
Review
“[E]ngrossing and fast-paced… a must-read novel.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Review
“[R]ewarding. A good fit for school libraries in which the social contract is taught or emphasized.” School Library Journal
Review
“[B]egins with a bang.” Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
Synopsis
New York Times bestselling author Walter Dean Myers tackles the social contract from a teens perspective in his novel 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. Elijah, the soup man, questions Paul about tough life choices, 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.
About the Author
Five-time Coretta Scott King Award winner Walter Dean Myers was the acclaimed author of a wide variety of nonfiction and fiction for young people. His nonfiction includes We Are America: A Tribute from the Heart; Now Is Your Time!: The African-American Struggle for Freedom; I've Seen the Promised Land: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Malcom X: A Fire Burning Brightly; and Patrol: An American Soldier in Vietnam, a Jane Addams Children's Book Award winner. His illustrious list of young adult novels includes Darius & Twig; All the Right Stuff; Lockdown; Dope Sick; Autobiography of My Dead Brother; New York Times bestseller Monster, the first winner of the Michael L. Printz Award; and many more. He was a National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and an inaugural NYC Literary Honoree.