All the Right Stuff

As the book begins, Paul is told about his father's death in an accidental shooting. While it's clear that the neighborhood is sometimes dangerous and some of the people are menacing (Paul and his friend go out of their way to avoid Sly and his crew), and the old folks tell tales of the old days when lynchings were common, no actual violence befalls any of the characters. An art film by Paul's cousin features a pair of young junkies, one of whom is revealed to have died of an overdose after the film was finished.

Paul's summer job includes mentoring Keisha, a 17-year-old student who needs extra help because she fell behind in school when she had her baby. While his friend immediately jumps to the conclusion that Paul's trying to take advantage of the situation, he behaves honorably.

The occasional swear word and close euphemism ("s--t," "friggin'") does arise, but not to distraction.

Drugs were part of Paul's father's downfall, so they aren't glamorized or treated positively. There's a strong suspicion that Sly is in the illegal drug trade, not just handing out free prescriptions to senior citizens in the 'hood.