Dear Martin

Rating: 5/5

Genre: YA Contemporary

Recommended Age: 15+ (racism, sexual content, language, violence. Trigger warnings for those who may have been victims of extreme racism or prejudice)

I received this book for free from KidLitExchange in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Justyce McAllister is top of his class and set for the Ivy League—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. And despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can't escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates.

Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out.

Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up—way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it's Justyce who is under attack. – the store.com

I knew racism still existed. I’m from the South and while I grew up around it I still knew it was bad and I chose to study it extensively in college. So to hear people say that racism doesn’t exist anymore really makes me angry. That being said I immediately fell in love with this book from the moment I picked it up. The book was a very blunt story on racism in America, specifically regarding young African-American men. The reader sees the world through Justyce’s eyes and I think I’m better for reading this book. I loved how complex all the characters were in the book and that there were different types of racism or prejudice shown in the book by almost all of the characters. I loved how the plot developed and that heartwrecking twist! The pacing was also very well done and the writing was simply amazing! I probably could have read 600 more pages of Nic Stone’s writing and that would have been fine by me.

I absolutely love this book, but I do feel that this book can be polarizing for some readers. Some readers might not see the world as Justyce and the author. This book talks about a very hot-button topic as well as including scenes with recent-events that can be upsetting to some readers.

Verdict: I think this is a very important read in today’s world. Racism is only going to get worse and the divisive attitude some people have in this country needs to be dealt with. The only way we’re going to start moving away from racism for the final time is if we start putting each other in our own shoes, especially those who do not know what it’s like to be African-American in America. I also thought that even though Justyce makes a lot of mistakes in the book, he is an inspirational character and his journey is just as inspiring. Definitely recommended reading for everyone in America. I’m ready for change. Are you? 

This book was super intense and powerful. I could not put it down. It's an incredibly short book at a little over 200 pages, so it was easy to fly through the story but I am really impressed that a small book can pack such a powerful punch. I think this Black Lives Matter story is one everyone should read, and it is up there with The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

First, with the characters, I really enjoyed the characters in this story. I think because a good chunk of the book is dialogue it was easy to get to know who the characters were. Justyce is such a great main character. He is honestly just doing his best at being a good student, son, friend, and citizen. You can tell he's trying so hard not to be labeled a troublemaker. It made it even more heartbreaking when because of the color of his skin he's accused of being trouble when he tried his hardest. I admired Justyce a lot. I also liked SJ's character because she was using her privilege as a white girl to explain the issues to students in their classroom who kept dismissing the fact that racism is still a problem in our world. I liked that during the class discussions with their teacher Doc (who was so cool) because those discussions are so important and I hope that they're happening in real schools too.

The plot is infuriating and heartbreaking. I'm a white girl, so these experiences are not my reality, and honestly I always knew about the injustices but it wasn't until the last few years that I really started to pay attention. I am so happy there are books like Dear Martin, THUG, and All American Boys by Jason Reynolds for younger readers to read. I wish I was more aware when I was younger so I could be a better advocate and ally. Also, I am happy that there is such great representation for young readers of color.

This book is so well written. It definitely hits hard at some points. I cried, smiled, and was genuinely angry at some aspects of the story. I think the writing of the friendships and relationships between the characters were well done. It's such a small book that I wasn't sure if we'd get a lot of the character's personalities but we did. I do wish we got more descriptions. Because it's a lot of dialogue I feel like we don't get to see a lot of quirks of the characters. Smiles, body language, smells, mannerisms, even what they looked like. Descriptions of the settings were also lacking a bit. I think that is one of the only issues I had with this book. I would have liked to have a clearer image of the characters and settings. There are some areas where the story is written kind of like the format of screen-writing. And although I found that really easy to read, I think it took away from the imagery. The other issue I had with the story is that there weren't many black girls in the story and with there being some misogyny I feel like could have been addressed.

Overall I think this book and the narrative are such important ones to be read. I think no matter the age of the reader this book needs to be read by everyone. If you liked The Hate U Give or All American Boys you'll love this book. I recommend it so much. I'll definitely be thinking about this one for a long time. This is one of those stories that stick with you for a while.

Justyce McAllister is only one of three African-American students in his senior class at a ritzy private school. He earned his way there through hard work and intellect and he is bound for an Ivy league college in the fall. However, as the world around him seems to disintegrate, as there are more deadly assaults on male African-American teens in the news, Justyce begins to feel an anger he cannot explain stirring inside him. After he is arrested and manhandled by a white police officer, that anger seems to fester. To try to channel his feelings and reestablish his calm, Justyce beings what he calls the "Martin Project." He looks to history and to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to help him deal with the injustice he sees around him, to choose calm and intellect over violence and anger, but sometimes it just doesn't seem to help. When he and his closest friend Manny, another African-American student at his private school, find themselves in an altercation with another white man over nothing more than loud music, Justyce finds himself facing not only racial injustice but sudden and certain death. The man has a gun and his actions deeply affects Justyce's life, his path, his mindset, and thanks to the ensuing media circus, his reputation. Nic Stone does a wonderful job of capturing the voice of youth, taking an honest look at the current racial climate in America, and sparking the kinds of conversations in our youth and adults that could lead to change. This novel sits well beside All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Recommended for students in grades 10 and up. The novel contains profanity, under-aged drinking, sexual innuendo, and violence.

Justyce McAllister is a scholarship student at the top of his class at his prestigious boarding school and heading to an Ivy League college next year. He's miles away from the rough neighborhood where he grew up and has big plans for his future.

None of those accomplishments or plans matter when a police officer puts Justyce in handcuffs. Shaken by the severity of the encounter--and how much worse it could have been--Justyce isn't sure where he belongs. Not with the other boys from his neighborhood many of whom are now in gangs and scorn Justyce for moving away. Not with his mostly white classmates who seem intent on making Jus feel small.

Justyce hopes to find some answers in the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who advocated non-violence in the pursuit of civil rights. But as Jus tries to follow his teachings and writes to Dr. King to try and make sense of his life, Justyce starts to wonder if those teachings have any place in the modern world where boys like Justyce are still dying in Dear Martin (2017) by Nic Stone.

Dear Martin is Stone's powerful debut novel. This standalone contemporary is deceptively short with a page count that belies the weighty questions Justyce and his story raise.

Written in Justyce's first-person narration along with his letters to Dr. King, this novel read partly like a diary with a conversational tone as Jus makes sense of the painful circumstances of his being handcuffed while trying to help his ex-girlfriend, grapples with casual racism with his classmates, and negotiates his complicated feelings for his debate partner SJ--a white girl Jus knows his mother would never want him to date.

Dear Martin is a compelling and timely story. Stone's fast-paced prose and careful plotting make this novel an engrossing page-turner. An excellent choice for readers looking for a contemporary novel they can sink their teeth into. Ideal for anyone who has ever wanted to make their corner of the world a little better. Recommended.

Possible Pairings: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, In a Perfect World by Trish Doller, All American Boys by Brendan Kiely and Jason Reynolds, How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon, You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Who Killed Christopher Goodman? by Allan Wolf, American Street by Ibi Zoboi

Book Review
Dear Martin: A Spoiler-Free Review
October 21, 2017
I wasn't planning on posting this review today because A) I literally just managed to find a copy of Dear Martin by Nic Stone today and B) it's Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon and I'm supposed to be reading not writing. However, I just finished Dear Martin and I have so many feelings that I knew there was no way I was going to be able to read another book until I started writing my feelings out so, why not just make it a blog post? I need to write my review anyway and now I have a good excuse to watch some Booktube Own Voices reviews of Dear Martin to include in this post.

I know the numbers. I graduated from law school. I watched 13th and I follow the news and I care so much about fixing the criminal justice system to make it more equitable because I believe in justice, I believe in the truth of the 14th Amendment. Section 1 of the 14th Amendment includes this: No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

We didn't have it right when Thomas Jefferson penned, "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal." And we didn't have it right when Congress passed the 14th Amendment in the wake of the Civil War. It would be years until some of us were lulled into a sense of post-racism equality. These past few years have shattered that illusion for many, but some, like Jared in Dear Martin, want to cling to the notion that we've done it. We've finally created a country that has not only lived up to the ideals of our forefathers, but surpasses those ideals. Unfortunately, that delusion is just that, a delusion. It is also dangerous. And Dear Martin does it's level best to expose us to that fact and to level us with the reality that black people face daily. For white people, it is likely a wake up call.

I wish that we didn't need this book because I wish that we had achieved Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream. Since we haven't, we need this book. I need this book. I had an interview the other day where I said that seeing the sheer amount of people seeking domestic violence protective orders in Durham County made the statistics that I can recite with ease real to me in a way the numbers didn't. So for the people who know the numbers, but who can't wrap their minds around a world in which racism is a thing that black people deal with every day, I hope that Dear Martin can provide that sort of wake up call for them. For the people who experience racism the way Justyce does, I hope Dear Martin provides you with the kind of cathartic reading experience that reading Bad Romance gave me. No matter who you are, I hope you pick up this book.

This review originally appeared on herestohappyendings.com

It’s so very rare that I give a book a 5 star rating. It really has to shake me to my core, make me question things, and be something that I believe everyone needs to read for me to rate a book 5 stars and then share a review about it with you.

Before I even begin, I need to tell you all – what you’ve been seeing on social media or review sites about it this book – it’s true. It’s an amazing read. In fact, if you haven’t read it yet, I urge you to buy a copy or grab it from your library, because this book is a game changer in young adult fiction. Trust me.

Dear Martin is a timely, important novel that everyone should read. This book should be required reading in all high schools across the country.

I knew that Dear Martin was the kind of book that made you think and feel a lot of different emotions even before I started reading, only I didn’t know it was going to be that good of a read.

Justyce has worked hard to get good grades, and he is attending a private and elite high school where he will get a good education and be able to head off to an Ivy League school when he graduates. He’s a good kid who doesn’t do anything that could get him into trouble or jeopardize his future – until one night when he was trying to help his ex-girlfriend, he is thrown into handcuffs by a cop because of his skin color.

“Last night changed me. I don’t wanna walk around all pissed off and looking for problems, but I know I can’t continue to pretend nothing’s wrong. Yeah, there are no more ‘colored’ water fountains, and it’s supposed to be illegal to discriminate, but if I can be forced to sit on the concrete in too-tight cuffs when I’ve done nothing wrong, it’s clear there’s an issue. That things aren’t as equal as folks say they are.”

He is confused, angry, and scared – and it doesn’t help that he goes to school with mostly white kids who have a very hard time understanding why he feels the way that he feels about this. So he takes to writing letters to Dr. Martin Luther King, trying to gauge what kind of reaction he would have to troubles that kids today face – and troubles that have been around for years.

As the book goes on, Justyce continues writing to Dr. King and talking about everything that is going on with him, including meeting a girl who he has feelings for – but his mother would never let him date, because she’s white.

Not only that, but when Justyce goes out for a drive with his best friend Manny and the two of them are gunned down by a white police officer, Justyce is faced with the aftermath of that inequality. Recovery of more than one type is a long and scary road, and Justyce tries to surround himself with people who understand – including Dr. King.

This is one of the most powerful books that I have read in my life – I’m not just talking about young adult. This is the kind of book that the world needs right now, and it’s the kind of book that’s just screaming its message out loud and clear, and everyone should have to stop and listen. It’s a beautiful book. It’s a heartbreaking book. It’s an important book that you need to read.

I devoured this book in one sitting, and I loved every page. I loved Justyce’s character – my heart hurt for him through everything he had to face, and it made me angry. This is the kind of thing that goes on every day in our world, and if you haven’t already noticed, this book will open your eyes and give you an experience you’ll never forget.

I don’t want to go into too much detail because this is the kind of book that is better experienced by the reader, so that nothing is spoiled and every part of it is as raw as it can be, pulling you in and never letting go.

So pick up a copy. Check it out of your library. Read it, then share it with families and friends. Go back and read it again. This is the ultimate must read book for 2017.

Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Dear Martin succeeded for me where The Hate U Give failed: It captured the police brutality and racism that sadly does occur on a black teen youth who did everything right.

Dear Martin is a unique novel in the young adult genre: we have a male point of view! This was quite refreshing as male POVs are a rarity. This is a short novel ( just over 200 pages) that would be perfect for all teens. There are other subjects addressed that teens face today.

I really liked Justyce! He really is a good kid who finds himself in a bad situation more than once. You feel all the emotions he experiences. I really enjoyed the letters he writes to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, we really get to know Justyce. I found myself wishing that MLK Jr. was still alive to answer and give advice to Justyce. In some ways I felt I got to know MLK Jr. himself.

Dear Martin takes place in Atlanta and I live in Metro Atlanta, which added to my enjoyment. When certain areas were mentioned (“Let’s go hike Stone Mountain”: OMG, I’ve been there MANY times!) Nic Stone lives in the Atlanta area so she is local to me, and I am all about supporting ‘local to me’ authors!

Dear Martin was Stone’s debut novel and I look forward to see what she does next. Her second novel Odd One Out will be released October 9th. Dear Martin is one that everyone should read!

Dear Martin is very highly recommended.

Disclaimer: This review reflects my unbiased opinion and as a result I am not able to promise a wholly positive review. My apologies in advance.

Two-Sentence Summary: Dear Martin is rips off the band-aide and gives the reader a raw, unfiltered look into social injustice, police profiling, police brutality, race and racism in America. Stone lets the reader know in no uncertain terms that we are far from a post racial society.

What Popped: What didn't? I loved how Stone interlaced the Dear Martin letters into the narrative. I loved that the rise and fall of the tension.
What Flopped: The one thing I didn't particularly care for is that I didn't really get why Justyce was writing the letters. I eventually got it, but not until pretty late in the novel.

My Thoughts: So, I read this book a few weeks ago and really had to process it. I didn't think I would have such a hard time processing it, but I did.

Stone draws you into Dear Martin really fast. It's fast paced captivating. I had no doubts that I would enjoy it but it far exceeded my expectations. The novel does not shy away from the fact that we need to have a conversation about race and race relations in this country. And Stone shows us that the problem with race is handed down, so-to-speak from generation to generation.

For example: Justyce's mother doesn't like white people and she views them as the enemy; which she impresses upon him. But he doesn't see all white people as the enemy. He realizes that some are and some aren't - just like black people.

I loved Justyce and Sarah and was rooting for them to get together. Justyce was all about doing right and being the best person that he could be; which is why he was so confused and hurt when a police officer handcuffed him and accused him of trying to steal his ex-girlfriends car. When in actuality all he was trying to do was get her home safely because she had had too much to drink. And Sarah, oh my gosh, is she a firecracker. She reminded me of me. Always fighting for the rights of the underdog. Calling into question the rules and the status quo.

Sarah is the loud voice of social justice/injustice. She has strong opinions and is not afraid to tell you what they are.

Perhaps my lease favorite character was Jared. Your stereo-typical privileged, rich white kid who thinks the world revolves around him. He brings up affirmative action when he discovers that Justyce has been accepted to Yale and his acceptance was deferred. Jared says that it "discriminates against members of the majority." And that he when he sees a minority at whatever college he ends up in he'll "wonder if they're qualified to be there." For some reason Jared sees himself as smarter and more qualified than a minority. He feels himself to be superior.

Favorite Quotes:
"Why try to do right if people will always look at me and assume wrong?" ~~Quan

It's like I'm trying to climb a mountain, but I've got one fool trying to shove me down so I won't be on his level, and another fool tugging at my leg, trying to pull me to the ground he refuses to level. ~~Justyce

Justyce McAllister has a run-in with the police, and it is not pleasant. He’s done nothing, just happens to be on the street, but he fits the profile. Which profile? Who knows. He was trying to save his drunken friend, a girl he’s had a crush on for years. All we know is that the girl is white and he’s an African-American teen. Surely he was trying to do something bad to that girl! This is not an isolated incident. He gets stopped and harassed by the police regularly. But Justyce tries to make the best of an uncomfortable situation. He hangs out with his friends, gets a good education at a private school, engages in heated debates about racism and white privilege with his classmates, and is considerate to his mother. There is one other thing he does: he writes letters to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In these letters, he expresses his pain, his rage, his helplessness, hoping he’d find answers in the person who had made a difference in the world.

This is a fast read. It’s a little over two-hundred pages, but these are profound pages. Nic Stone delves into the complexities of bigotry, hatred, and police profiling and brutality with wonderful precision. So many people want to defend the police, make them seem like they’re 100% blameless, and while I will not go into a debate on this, I urge people to step into the civilian’s shoes — especially the civilians that don’t get the benefit of the doubt from our flawed system. There are other YA books similar to this — The Hate U Give and Tyler Johnson Was Here, are two examples — and we need more of these. They are educational and beautifully written, and that is why Dear Martin gets five double caramel frozen lattes from me. Remarkable book!

I was actually looking around on overdrive and saw this book. The title is what called me to grab it, I then looked at Goodreads and saw a fellow blogger reviewed it and said: "I don't think I have the proper words yet." This screamed for me to read it and see why she couldn't have the proper words yet.

I honestly was amazed at how raw this story was. Dear Martin and Thug are two books that I recommend you read.

This story is powerful, a young black man and I call Justyce a man because what he went through makes him one. He wants to try his hardest to live like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr did and yet learns how real and hard the struggles are for a person of color in this present day and time.

Justyce goes to a great school that gives him opportunities yet all people can really see if that he is black, doesn't matter how good he does for himself.

When he gets put into handcuffs this starts to become an eye opener for him and when he is effected in a tragic killing Justyce really sees how he is portrayed yet he keeps his head held up high. Though it makes him mad that people only want to see or hear one thing.

The author did a great job in everything on this story to the reactions and actions of everyone. Also the way a picture can scream a thousand words and be taken out of context.

The amazing thing is that he wrote letters to Martin and he put his thoughts and what happened in to it.

There were quite a few quotes that stood out to me in this book.

"What do I do when my very identity is being mocked by people who refuse to admit there's a problem?"

"You can't change how other people think and act, but you're in full control of you. When it comes down to it, the only question that matters is this: If nothing in the world ever changes, what type of man are you gonna be?"

A searing unforgettable debut novel by Nic Stone, "Dear Martin" addresses the harshness of life for inner city black students, the challenges to succeed in an uncompromising white culture, the racial profiling, police brutality and gun violence. Stone's realistic portrayal shows that black male youth are not the perpetrators of gun violence but rather victims of an injustice that terrorizes and destroys lives.

Justyce McAllister was forced to look outside his surrounding area, family and friends for inspiration especially after his acceptance at Yale University. While is mother was extremely proud of his academic accomplishments; she made it clear he better not ever bring a white girl home to meet her. Trey, a good friend of Justyce remarked: "You'll be back smart guy. Once you see the white folks don't want yo black ass at they table. They not down with you being their equal, dawg. We'll see you back soon."

Justyce turned to the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. for inspiration and guidance, writing journal entries to help him navigate the turmoil and stress around him. Mature beyond his years, Justyce takes life in stride even after he was brutalized/beaten by the police while assisting his girlfriend. Not wanting to jeopardize his future he was determined to avoid law enforcement at all times. However things can't always work out despite the best intensions and plans. Justyce was forced to come to terms with a tremendous and tragic loss before his admission to Yale. In this powerful and emotionally gripping read. Nic Stone has based this novel on true recent shooting deaths of unarmed black American teens. Stone is a graduate of Spelman College and lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Well done Ms Stone. Although this is a short book Ms Stone packs it with an abundance of material for young folks to ponder. She hews closely to the real keeping the unreal at a safe distance, for if young people are to benefit it has to be real, raw and gritty. Check all three boxes. Nic Stone paces the book so it moves at an even pace and the quandary that prompts Justyce to write Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is all too real in the lives of too many young Black people. He finds himself handcuffed and roughed up a little for simply trying to help his ex-girlfriend. In his first letter to Dr. King he writes; “Last night changed me. I don’t wanna walk around all pissed off and looking for problems, but I know I can’t continue to pretend nothing’s wrong.“ Justyce has a difficult time not only processing what happened to him personally, but how it seems to happen across the country to others who look like him. He is a great student had a private school and is headed to an Ivy League University. How come people can’t see him for the high achieving student and good decent person he is. And it is not only the white students at the private academy that misreads him, it’s also the kids from his old neighborhood accusing him of selling out.

If there is one misfire here, it’s the missed opportunity to dive deeper into the feeling of abandoning the familiar. Your friends, your neighborhood, without feeling like a sellout. Would have loved to see more direction on that to help those navigating that situation. Contrary to popular belief, it is not simply the reading of books or being seen with books and homework that gets the ‘he acting white’ label pasted on someone. It is when that individual begins to affect certain mannerisms and tones and rhythms that are an an abandonment of what was previous, Newly laughing when there isn’t anything funny, scratching when you don’t itch, among other strange behavior.

Had she went beyond the surface it would have been a more explosive book. Having said that, I’m still wildly pleased with how it turned out. Justyce is a complex young man who wants to do the right thing and finds out that is not always easy. Nic Stone does a good job of making the tension feel real and readers will suffer heartache right along with these characters. It’s good to see these types of books appearing in print and finding an audience. Hopefully they are helping to fill the void in empathy and understanding while giving young Black folk voices that speak to their particular experience. With Justyce leading the way in Dear Martin, Nic Stone has done that and so we salute her and hope for more stories where our children can find themselves on the page authentically represented.4.5⭐️s

This little book packs a powerful punch.

What Fed My Addiction:

Perspective.
The book is told from Justyce’s POV. He’s a black teenager living in a mostly white world (he goes to a boarding school) near the home he grew up in, which is in a black neighborhood. So the lens that he sees the world through is unique. He is relatable to many people—he can often see both sides of the story, which helps us to do so too.

The struggle of identity.
Of course, because of Justyce’s position, he has a hard time feeling at home anywhere. He can’t go back to being the kid he was in the neighborhood he grew up in, but he also doesn’t always feel like he fits at school. After a traumatic event where he’s treated unfairly, he starts to see things at school that he’d been blind to before. He suddenly can’t turn a blind eye to the little injustices that are done to him and other black people daily—he can’t stop seeing them, even though sometimes he wants to. I loved that this book had both black and white characters with positive and negatives traits (to varying degrees). The book doesn’t take a stand against one race or the other, but instead against the injustices that have perpetrated and the way we can easily go through life blind to them.

Letters to Martin.
Justyce writes to Martin Luther King, Jr. as he tries to process his confusion and sadness over events in the book. He wants to live a life that’s worthy of Martin (as he calls him). Knowing how to do that isn’t always simple, though.

Prepare to have your heart broken.
Just. Yeah. Be prepared.

What Left Me Hungry for More:

Not much.
I’m struggling to think of anything I didn’t like about this book. At 200 pages, it’s short, but it still felt well-developed, and I think the length was an asset, not a drawback in this case. Any negatives I would name would be nitpicky.

This book is incredibly relatable, so it will appeal to a wide audience. It’s the type of book that opens eyes to a tough topic in a way that makes you think critically but doesn’t push for extremism. I truly believe it will open up conversations about race relations in the US in ways that can be nothing but beneficial. I give this book 5/5 Stars.

***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via ALA Annual in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

Based on review copy

4.5 stars

Plot: Nic Stone can write her ass off, that's for sure. When I first received this book I was worried, how can a book that was barely 200 pages address such a serious topic? Not only was Stone's execution perfect, she managed to write beautifully complex characters and leave just enough to allow for conversations.

This book needs to be on the shelves of every school library and I can't wait to see what critical conversations this book sparks. What I loved the most about Dear Martin was that Nic Stone addressed various perspectives of police brutality and the many different reactions to it; I could not put this book down! I laughed, I cried (hard), and I thought, I thought a lot. The only reason why I couldn't give this book the full five stars because I was expecting more conversation with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Even though the novel is called Dear Martin and is based on Justyce's social experiment, I found that aspect was quickly forgotten about. I wanted to read more letters between Jusytce and MLK and his thoughts during this social experiment.

Characters: Justyce was an outstanding young man whose mother only wanted the best for him. He reminded me a bit of Starr Carter solely because he was born and raised in the 'hood but went to school and socialized with a group that was made up of upper-class white people. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Justyce navigate through some situations and even figure out his own love life. Everyone in this novel and I mean everyone, felt fully realized and no one was written as the "hero" or "villain", instead, it was a conversation on the result of years and years of systemic racism. I was very intrigued by Justyce's best friend, Manny, who tried desperately to fit in with his group of white friends but unwittingly became the butt of many jokes.

Worldbuilding: Much like The Hate U Give, I loved the contrast between the two neighborhoods in Atlanta, Georgia. Through simple conversations, it was easy to see how priorities in each neighborhood changed and how so many young black men could turn to gangs for answers.

Short N Sweet: Read this book and talk to someone about it; Dear Martin is going to get a lot of people talking and I can't wait for these conversations!

Dear Martin is the story of Justyce, who gets top marks at school and dreams of going to Yale. One night, his ex-girlfriend Melo gets very drunk and he attempts to take her home and not letting her drive in that state, but before he knows it, two cops arrive and handcuff him, under allegation that he was trying to carjack her. Assaulted and mistreated, even Melo's testimony for him barely is enough to get him out of jail. After that, Jus can't ignore anymore the microagressions at school and the major problems in the system and the police when dealing with black people. So he starts writing letters to Martin Luther King, in the hope of becoming more like him. But it won't be easy, and much more awaits him.

This book is a punch to the gut compacted in a little over 200 pages. Stone's style is raw, unapologetic and a bit dry. It feels to me that the book could have done with more descriptions and more narration, as it's very dialogue-heavy and I wish it'd been longer. Despite that, the read was very intense and had me holding my breath and getting so angry I had to make a few breaks from reading. At the same time, I couldn't stop reading it - it's such an intense read and it makes you mentally scream with anger and frustration.

I loved Justyce and SJ, although the chemistry between them felt slightly unconvincing - probably because of the shortness of the book. It opened my eyes to the Black Lives Matter movement's causes and experiences I will never have but I need to be aware of. It feels to me that this book is siblings with The Hate U Give, both protagonists being black in a mostly white school trying to learn how to navigate without losing their identity.

Despite its shortness, this isn't a light book. It kept me thinking, and it's supposed to make you angry. I definitely felt the emotion Nic Stone put into the writing and it left me quite burning with anger, sadness and grief. But also hope. Dear Martin is a read that will move you and I highly recommend it!

Dear Martin completely blew me away.

It’s been about a month since I’ve read Dear Martin (yes, I’m behind on my reviews again, shhh) and there hasn’t been a day where I haven’t thought about it. About the events that took place in the book, about the characters, about the amazing way the book was written and how I wish this wasn’t a debut book and that Nic Stone had already written 20 other books that I could marathon read right now.

The thing about the characters in this book are that they completely come to life. Well, not literally, of course, -that would be terrifying,- but usually whenever I read a book I will stop thinking about the characters once I close the book. Maybe I’ll think of them when someone else mentions them, or when I see the book on my shelf. But with this book it was different. The characters really stayed with me. So much so that I sometimes think about what they’re up to now. Like they’re real people.

This kind of makes sense because Nic Stone managed to make the characters seem so real. She made everything seem so incredibly real. From the dialogue to the setting, everything was so incredibly perfect. You know how sometimes you’re reading a book and a character says something, and you just know that no one would ever say that in real life? Well, this book didn’t have that. At all. And it was great.

The book is only a little over 200 pages, and the way the author managed to tell such a complete story in so little pages is incredible. The whole book is incredible, and it really packs a punch. The way it deals with such difficult topics like racism, police brutality, racial profiling is so powerful, and I just know that it’ll stay with me for a very very long time.

Needless to say, I think this book should be required reading, and I will be reading every single thing Nic Stone writes in the future. From short stories to 700-page books; I’ll read it. Because, in my opinion, Dear Martin is for sure one of the best books of 2017.

Dear Martin is a gripping, must read debut. Nic Stone has gifted readers with a powerful book that will make you think and feel a wide range of emotions. Based on current issues, and based on recent news stories, this story is told from a mix of letters Justyce writes to Martin Luther King Jr, debate class conversations, and Justyce's point of view. This is definitely worth the read, as it tackles racism at it's core. I felt like I walked away from reading this book with my eyes more open.

This book is a gut wrenching, raw, read that should leave you feeling a range of emotions. There are so many different elements to this story. Through out the duration of reading this book I couldn't help but feel frustration, anger, love, and hope for Justyce. Stone's debut also made me see all the different sides to inequality. She made me understand the why when it came to the characters and their choices. I'll be honest, the injustice and inequality was the hardest part to read. I will never understand hate, and the sad reality is the hate in this story is an every day occurrence that so many teens of color face.

It's stories like Justyce's that make you want to do more, and be better. Justyce was a character I rooted for, from the moment I met him. This is a character who may be fictional, but his portrayal is real. I wanted him to rise above every obstacle he sadly faced and disadvantage he has, because of his skin color. I absolutely loved getting to know Justyce, and seeing all he does. There is hope, and the chance for a change. I was surprised to see that change manifest itself in a certain character. When you read the ending, you'll know who I'm talking about.

The characters that are part of this book all brought something crucial to the story. I felt like with Justyce, I understood them. Well except for the haters. I understood Justyce's mom's feelings, and her views. I loved the open acceptance SJ and her parents had with Justyce. I felt like I understood the choices some of Justyce's friends made. I also liked Justyce's teacher for challenging his kids to think, and for seeing the potential in Justyce, when he himself didn't see it at the time.

There are times when I read a book like this, that I find it out hard to put into words all my feelings for it. This book is a reality for so many, and one that many of us don't always see. It's brutally honest, raw and gripping. It's a book that should be read. It's one that will move you to think, to see more clearly, and understand. Sure it's not an easy read, but that's because it will stir up many feelings over the course of this book, and make you realize that Justyce's name can be replaced with so many other names and faces. There needs to be more books like this. This is one that will definitely spark discussions.

*There is some mild language in this book, and some violence.

Thank you @kidlitexchange for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Nic Stone has written and shared an incredibly powerful story about a very relevant problem that many deal with on a daily basis. People who are constantly racially profiled, police brutality, young kids who turn to violence because that seems to be their only option and even parents nervous about mixed relationships. The sad thing is we have all encountered or witnessed one if not all of these actions! That's why books like this are so important to read and share with not only young adults, but unfortunately many parents as well.

I absolutely love Justyce McAllister. Watching him sort through his thoughts and emotions on way too many horrible actions and problems was heart breaking and eye opening. He is an easy character to root for, has a wonderful voice and would make a great role model to so many. I was left in suspense many times wondering how he would handle certain situations. The concept of writing letters to MLK was genius and a wonderful way to let the reader in on his thoughts and true feelings. I adored the supporting cast! Manny, SJ, The Friedmans, Doc ... all won me over instantly. Even though I didn't want the story to end, I appreciate how it wrapped up and was thankful for that last scene.

This book might be a quick read, but I guarantee you that it delivers a punch. When a book leaves a reader in constant reflection, then it has done it's job well. This would be the perfect story to discuss with others since it portrays so many deep, very important topics. Please add it to your list. It is a must read and covers issues that need to be talked about!!!

Books targeted to many audiences, ages, topics, etc. are labeled "must read".
I write that myself.
In this case, though, I'll use caps and write it: MUST READ!
This is a mandatory addition to any list of books aimed at opening minds and discussions regarding current events, racism, friendships, developing adolescent (or older) identity and values systems.
It is, of course, a highly readable story, with intriguingly recognizable and yet fresh characters, playing out an intense plot from settings and points of view not often portrayed. The complexity of interspersed REAL news events and people, the consequent court proceedings (or lack of them), and the impact on individuals and society at large add dimensions that frame potential discussions without dictating where those discussions should lead.

I urge adult book groups to read this and THUG (The Hate You Give) by Angie Thomas to begin a cross-cultural conversation, one that is long overdue. I am concurrently reading Ta-Nehisi Coates's WE WERE EIGHT YEARS IN POWER. The need for honest, open, deep conversations among every subset of our society, especially those who consider themselves white (as I do), is undeniable, and starting with book-based talks can open the doors to more personal explorations.
That's what books do.
That's what this book will do.
Accept its invitation and start a conversation.

As Justyce keeps a journal, making inquiries to Martin Luther King as to why his life is turning upside down, Justyce is confused on how to proceed forward. He sees these inequalities, these injustices that are based upon the color of his skin, and it infuriates him. But what can Justyce do about them and why can’t everyone else see them?

As I listened to this novel, I can’t tell you how many times I said out loud, “What? You have got to be kidding me?’ I just couldn’t believe what I was hearing through my speakers. I felt for Justyce as he tried to figure out what his next step would be. I was frustrated, angry and ticked as people tried to use their power to win. I know this is a problem that needs to be addressed and fixed and I am glad that this book addresses it. The truth of the matter is, no one is really listening. No one wants to listen, they are using their other senses but not really listening to what is happening or what occurred. I think this happens in the lives of other individuals too and not just African Americans.

All lives matter. Listen people, for once keep quiet and listen to the voices of those around you. They are important too. You just might learn something.

It’s a powerful novel and one that will surely make you think. 4.5 stars

I managed to avoid finding out exactly what this book was about before listening to it. I didn't even read the full blurb. (I deleted the part I didn't read in the synopsis above.) Not knowing what was going to happen let the emotional impact of the book hit me full force.

This is an amazing and necessary book. If any of you are thinking, "I read The Hate U Give, I don't need to read this one," get that out of your brain. While the subject matter is similar, these books are very, very different. Dear Martin depicts an attempt by an African-American teenager to move past an emotionally traumatizing incident with a police officer. He finds that that is harder than he expects though as his eyes are opened to what is going on around him.

I appreciated the way he struggles with different approaches to living in a racist society through his interactions with several adult African-American men in his life. Each discusses his struggles and his way of surviving, allowing Justyce to try to choose the best options for him.

The narration in this book was very well done by Dion Graham. It is a short audiobook at just four and a half hours. This is one that I will relisten to with my husband in the future.

I don't want to say much more about the book. If you don't already know the whole plot, I'd recommend just starting this story without finding out much more. This is a hard-hitting book that will move you. It is a must read for everyone.

DEAR MARTIN is another book I read in one sitting and a book everyone should read. The main character, Justyce, is a scholarship kid at a boarding school and doing everything right. When he tries to help his drunk ex girlfriend, he gets racially profiled and spends hours in handcuffs. Shaken by this, he opens up a notebook and writes letters to Martin Luther King Jr, asking him how he did it and sharing some of his fears.

He's great at debate and starts falling for his debate partner, but he's worried his Mama will be upset because she's white. This is a story about trying to navigate in a world that is not friendly to you, and the story is heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time. I loved the debate scenes at school. This is a book that talks about how racist our world still is and will inspire you to get out there and do something about it. Powerful.

I read this the weekend that Childish Gambino's "This is America" music video came out, so I got to the most intense part of this book and watched the music video within an hour or so of each other. Can't get either one out of my head. Parts of this book made me viscerally angry, so excellent job, Nic Stone, on writing a book that makes the reader feel so fired up. Justyce's emotions really came through, and the injustice going on throughout the book made me furious. The only downside I found listening to the audiobook, and the reason I only gave it four stars, is that format of the book didn't always lend itself to being read aloud. There were points where the story felt stilted or abrupt, and I wonder if that was because of the format. Definitely planning to read the physical book and see if it flows a little better...which in all honesty is not a downside. It was an excellent book, and I'm looking forward to reading it again and hopefully bumping this review up to a five-star.

I had a roller-coaster of emotions reading this novel and fell so in love with the characters that I read the book in one sitting, cover-to-cover. The main character, Justyce, is real and raw and the events of this book are so resonant. My heart ached for Justyce and I was furious and defeated and frustrated and joyful and proud of him and fully invested from page one.

There are books you read that stay with you and never let go, DEAR MARTIN is most definitely one of those. It should be required reading in all middle and high schools because this is story that needs to be heard by all kids and adults as well. I know that Justyce is fictional but he is based on a million black boys in this country and his experiences reflects so many of their own and his voice reflects their voices. And if we are ever to get past the hate and racism that is so endemic to American society, we NEED voices like Justyce, we need for our children to read books like this so that they can walk in someone else's shoes and consider another perspective. So that they can understand and be better than we are. So that one day being black isn't an automatic assumption of guilt and no one else dies because of the color of their skin.

I have seen nothing but rave reviews for this book from fellow teachers on Instagram so I was excited to see if I felt it lived up to the hype.
It most definitely did. I grew up in a rich white community, I attended an almost all white college, and I now teach at a high school where white students are in the majority. I won't pretend that I can ever understand what people of color go through, how they deal with being profiled in their every day life, and how they deal with the disgusting comments people make (both to their face and behind their back). However, this book helped me to get a glimpse into that world.
Slavery may have been abolished in 1865, and segregation may have ended in 1964, but there is still evidence of racism in our world today. It saddens me, and I hope that we can one day see a world where people are not judged by the color of their skin. This book is a great start and I hope that it gets people thinking about the way they view others

I read this book because I wanted to understand the struggles of my high school students. I knew they were facing rough things that I didn't adequately understand, and I wanted to get some idea of how to see the world through their eyes. This book has helped me tremendously to understand the black experience in the United States, and to grasp how it is unique from other minority cultures.

Nic Stone clearly had her audience in mind when writing this book. From typical scenes to letters to Dr. King to pure dialogue, this book was written to help reluctant readers make it to the end. For an avid reader like myself, that only made me enjoy it more. The characters in this story really come alive, and Nic does a great job portraying many view points while helping the reader really empathize with Justyce. DEAR MARTIN makes you ask questions both in the story and beyond the story to every day life in America, and that's so, so important.

Whether your a reluctant reader yourself, buying for a reluctant reader, or you love to read, definitely pick this book up!

Fantastic read. Justyce's character is complex, but in a way that's accessible for middle grade and YA readers. His letters to MLK Jr. are realistic teenage journal entries and readers are able to see in real time how Justyce is pulled in several directions by those around him, all claiming to have his best interest at heart and his relationships with both the characters his age and the adults are healthy (although multi-faceted) and dynamic, something I'd like to see more of in YA realistic fiction.

Well done, Nic Stone. I hope to read more from you soon.

Set in the perspective of a inner city African American teen, this book takes you into his world. As I read, it’s easy to see the internal struggle this boy has on a daily basis.
This book helped me to put myself in the shoes of those who live this life every day...somewhat.
Dear Martin was a easy read in the way it was written and how the story flowed, but at the same time it was tough because this is a life that many live daily and no one should have to live this way. Things in our society have changed but we have so far still to go.
Recommended for those who seek understanding of the struggles of others and those who enjoy real-life fiction.

Book #98 Read in 2017
Dear Martin by Nic Stone

This was an excellent young adult book. Justyce is a smart black boy who attends a prep school. One night, he is helping his ex-girlfriend, who is drunk and half-white. A police officer cuffs Justyce, assuming he is up to no good. This has a lasting effect on Justyce and he begins to question his friendships, the way people see him and how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would handle things. This is a must read for high school and adult readers alike.

Five VERY WELL DESERVED STARS!

This book was phenomenal. Just phenomenal. Not only was the writing sooo good, the plot was the most original one I've read in a LONG while. The messages and gems throughout the book are some that will stay with me for a long, long time...maybe even forever.

I cannot wait to read another Nic Stone book!

Also, we need this book adapted into a movie ASAP!

In Dear Martin, author Nic Stone deftly weaves together an array of ongoing national discussions into one unified narrative, with compelling and sometimes devastating results. Justyce's life, and therefore his story, is constantly impacted by the many ways in which he is judged before the fact. Justyce's conversations, his writings, and ultimately his choices hit readers hard with new understandings of how fraught words like "community" and even "friend" can be. Dear Martin belongs in every library and on high school reading lists. Alongside American Street and The Hate U Give, Dear Martin brings new clarity to our national narrative.

Started the audiobook this morning on my walk and had to finish it the same day. Amazing job by Dion Graham on narrating the audio. Fantastic story written by Nic Stone! I could read many more stories from Justyce McAllister's POV because his thoughts provoke me to think more. SJ is a feisty female character that I would want on my debate team. Manny made me laugh out loud listening to his quips. I needed more than 226 pages. Can we get Justyce the college years? Start reading this book today!

Don't be surprised if you finish reading Dear Martin in one sitting, then new a few minutes once you close the book to take a deep breath and collect your thoughts. The story of Justyce McAllister is sadly familiar in today's world, but Nic Stone crafts a compelling story that lets us see first hand the effects of racism, not just in terms of violence but also in how many of these victims are treated in the press after the fact. While the book is a short read, Stone is able to make Justyce and many of the supporting cast into well rounded, likable characters, which only adds to the impact as the story progresses.

It's also helped by Stone's writing style, which pulls you immediately into scenes and into the mindset of Justyce throughout the book. There's also a wonderful device where large sections of dialogue are presented in a screenplay-style format, which helps establish the rhythm of these conversations easily. Likewise, the letters to Dr. King give us more insight into Justyce's mindset, and provide one of the book's most powerful, emotional moments. It's a remarkable debut effort that declares Nic Stone is a name to remember.

I highly recommend Dear Martin to all readers, even if it's outside their usual genre. The highest compliment I can pay this book is that I sincerely believe it's a book that offers vital perspective on the issues of racism and violence in our country, and could very well change the opinions of some people if they read it with an open mind.

This book is powerful, well-written, and emotional. The male POV character jumped off the page and gave me an authentic glimpse into what it's like to be a black teen in America. This book made me think about all the current social issues and events still happening today. I enjoyed every character in this book, whether or not they were "bad" because everyone was drawn in 3D. This author knows how to write and I'll read her next books.

Well done, with some riveting and emotional moments. At the same time, it was discouraging on one level because we are still dealing with these racial issues after all these years. And there are still many people who deny that there are issues at all (this was portrayed really well in the story). We have a long way to go as a society. And books like Dear Martin are important to help us drag these issues into the light and deal with them.

I loved this book. The author tackles the tough issue of race in a witty, raw, engaging style. But more than that, the author helped me to ask tough questions--questions of myself, my past, my future, and of society in general. What do I see when I look at another person? What do I assume? Why? Is that fair? What should I see? The author had me crying one moment and deep in thought the next and long after I read the last words.

Dear Martin is fresh, relevant, and engaging. With its unique perspective and unforgettable characters, this is a must read! I used the novel at my school with a group of 18 teachers to spark discussion and increase compassion and empathy. It was well received by the group and inspired an authentic conversation about how Dear Martin can and will be used with our students.

I have been pushing this book on everyone I possibly can... !

Nic Stone has covered so many important topics here - police brutality and prejudice... 'interracial' dating... being black in America... prejudice & racism in general... being black in America and trying to 'fit in' in your own world as well as in white America... and she has done so in an intelligent, well thought-out way, without adding more to the racial divide, in my opinion.

These conversations are necessary. That's what this book was, to me. A well-rounded, civil conversation about something that's incredibly important not to brush under the rug. It's also heart-breaking at times, but doesn't leave you disillusioned or without hope.

Trigger Warnings: Racism, violence, language

Please, please, please do not sleep on this book. It was an incredible, fast-paced, raw, and relevant read that we all need in our lives.
Justyce is a dynamic, relatable main character and the story gives insight into the racism and prejudices relevant to today's society.
This is a book that, once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down. It makes you feel and will hang in your mind for a long time after you finish it.
If you read The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas I highly recommend reading Dear Martin too!
Disclaimer: I recieved a free arc at bookcon 2017

This is a book everyone should read. I wanted the book to be a little longer and a little more developed in certain areas but that is a testament to how much I enjoyed the writing and how much I grew to love these characters. I have recommended all of my students read Dear Martin.

A stunning portrayal of heartbreaking current events. Nic Stone's storytelling causes you to feel every burst of anger, pain, & heartbreak that Justyce encounters. You will put this book down feeling a sense of connection and longing to make the world a better place. It will make you question what changes you can make in your everyday life to fight the injustices in our society. We each have a voice and Nic Stone is using hers to bring light to these issues and she will no doubt reach many people in all different walks of life. Anyone who reads this novel will take something away from it pertaining to where they are personally at in their journey and that makes for an excellent story.