Thanks to NetGalley and Crown Books for Young Readers for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: October 17th, 2017
224 Pages
Synopsis: 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.
Dear Martin is the debut novel of Nic Stone, and what a powerful statement it makes! It may technically be a work of fiction, but the social issues it introduces: police brutality, affirmative action, racism, and gang violence are all very real issues that face so many minorities.
The main character, Justyce McAllister is a thoroughly likable and relatable protagonist. Seventeen-years-old, he’s done everything right in his young life. Yet he’s caught between two worlds. Teens that he grew up with resent him for receiving a scholarship to a prestigious prep school, and some of his classmates may espouse to be believers in equality, but their actions speak louder than words. After he’s a victim of racial profiling and police brutality, Justyce begins to realize that while he’s followed all the rules, he’s still judged by some for the color of his skin.
One of the things I loved about this relatively short novel, is the amount of growth and maturity Justyce goes through. When the novel begins, he’s a rather naive young man, who despite coming from a rough neighborhood, has never actually been the victim of racism. After being unfairly targeted himself, his eyes are opened to the injustices in the world, yet he never loses sight of his hopes and dreams, even when another tragic incident occurs.
Even while becoming a victim himself of racial injustice, Justyce has the support of many people including his mother, two close friends and classmates, their parents, and a teacher who has turned into a mentor. They have all helped form him into the incredible person he’s become, and they continue to be there for him during the more difficult times. These themes of love, friendship and support serve to balance the darker ones, and further flesh out the characters and plot.
The only reason why I’m not giving this 5 stars is because there’s some romantic drama which is included, and while I think in a longer book it would have been fine, because of the brevity of the story I found it unnecessary and distracting.
Overall though, Dear Martin is an incredible debut by Nic Stone, and it’s one that should be shared in high school classrooms and book discussion groups. In addition to the powerful The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas, this can serve to open a much needed dialogue about inequality and race relations in this country.
beetleypete said:
A very topical theme, and sounds like it is well done indeed. Thanks, Kim.
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It may be short in length Pete, but it still packs a powerful punch.
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bostonbookreader said:
Oh I really want to read this one! Great review!!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you so much!😊
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confessionsofayareader said:
Great review! I’m really looking forward to reading this one.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you! It’s a memorable read!
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raistlin0903 said:
Great review, I really like stories such as these. It reminds me a bit of the Netflix movie Imperial Dreams, which while a different story adressed a couple of these points as well. If you haven’t already it’s worth checking out 😀
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I haven’t heard of that Michel. I’m going to go look right now.
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raistlin0903 said:
Here is my review for the film 😊https://raistlin0903.wordpress.com/2017/05/11/imperial-dreams-american-movie-2014/
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Michel!
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Raven @ Dreamy Addictions said:
Great review! I’m looking forward to read this book and I’m so glad you loved it! 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Raven! It’s a tough read, but an important one.
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Carrie said:
Nice review Kim! I have to wonder why they would even bother with any romance in the book at all. The book seems to be one with a powerful story behind it but then to toss that in seems weird….of course it’s YA and we know there’s that list that authors go by….
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Carrie! IThe romance really wasn’t necessary and as the book was so short it left me wondering why the editor wouldn’t have said it wasn’t needed. But as you said, it is YA so…
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Carrie said:
Almost makes me wonder if it’s not the publishers and editors that push adding those things in.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Hmm.🤔
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theorangutanlibrarian said:
This sounds like a really powerful book. I get what you mean about why a romance subplot might be a tad unnecessary here, but all in all it sounds like a worthwhile read. Great review!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank You!
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theorangutanlibrarian said:
You’re welcome!
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
Fantastic Review Kim and TBR! This looks like a powerful book and very important!!!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Dani. Every high school and library should carry this!
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
It sounds great. It might be a hard and emotional read but it seems very important.
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Jen said:
One of my friends read The Hate U Give for a book club and said she loved all of the conversations it created, so I’m going to rec this book to her too. Thanks for putting it on our radar!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
This is a great book to go along with The Hate U Give!😊
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Lashaan (Bookidote) said:
It sure did feel like it was in the same vein as T.H.U.G! Glad to see it’s almost just as good. I do love the sound of Justyce’s development. Will keep an eye open for this book, as well as T.H.U.G… Yep.. Still got to try that one out for myself! Great review, Kim. 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
They’d both be great reads together.
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