Raised by the Block* is the human, humorous, and heartfelt story of Elias “Li” Johnson, coming of age on Marlowe Street. Guided by a village of unforgettable characters—from a philosophical bodega owner to a gardening sage—Li learns the geometry of survival, the alchemy of community, and his own self-worth. Through duct-tape dog surgeries, salvaged electronics, and the collective wisdom of his block, Li navigates the push-and-pull between street loyalty and a future across the river, discovering that the strongest foundations are built not from concrete, but from connection.
