Book Review: Dear Martin by Nic Stone

 

Title: Dear Martin
Author: Nic Stone
Series/Standalone: Dear Martin Series (Book #1)
Genre: Young Adult, Social Justice, Fiction
Pages: 210
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Year Published: 2017
Format: Audiobook

"Raw, captivating and undeniably real, Nic Stone joins industry giants Jason Reynolds and Walter Dean Myers as she boldly tackles American race relations in this stunning debut.

Justyce McAllister is top of his class and set for the Ivy Leauge but none of that matters to the police officer who just puts him in handcuffs. And despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can't escape the scorn of his former peers on the ridicule of his new classmates. Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for the 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."

My Rating: 5/5

This book is going to really sit with me. It is no one's responsibility to educate white people on the oppression of people of colour! I think this is an important fact to state. I don't expect that author's who are black to write their books thinking about how it will affect white people. I do hope that this reaches as many black people of colour as possible. Not because they need to be educated, but the ability to be seen in media and pop culture is important!  That being said, I also think this is a great read for everyone to remember what the Black Lives Matter movement is about. It's this story. The idea that while we claim everyone to be equal, we certainly (as a society) do no act like it. This perspective was heartbreak, and unfortunately accurate for many. I'm grateful that I read this book and got to know more about these characters. I am curious about the next book in the series and would STRONGLY recommend.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny