Childress treats racial issues frankly.

Most of the characters are black and present a variety of black perspectives, ranging from those who distrust and blame "whitey" for black problems but who emulate white lifestyles, to those who blame blacks for their own problems, to those who see no possibility for reconciliation between the races. The author also portrays the nonblack perspectives of Bernard Cohen and the school principal, who speak as forthrightly of their experiences as do the black characters. The book does not moralize or preach one particular view but treats all the perspectives fairly and compassionately.

Childress also deals honestly with the problem of drug addiction. Some scenes in the novel depict Benjie seeking out and using drugs, and the boy gives various excuses to rationalize his addiction. But overall the book shows the dangers of drugs and condemns their use. The reader learns...