From the Bookshelf of Diversity in All Forms!…

Dear Martin (Dear Martin, #1)

Nic Stone

Start date: February 1, 2018

Finish date: February 28, 2018

Discussion: Monthly Group Reads

Why we're reading this: February Bonus Read- Black History Month

Dear Martin by Nic Stone
[close] February Bonus Read- Black History Month

Dear Martin by Nic Stone

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What Members Thought

Jan 30, 2018 Mariah Roze rated it it was amazing

I read this book for the Goodreads' book club Diversity in All Forms! If you would like to participate in the discussion here is the link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I really enjoyed this book! It was short, but covered so many important topics. The main character is Justyce McAllister. He is a African-American male, high school senior that is at the top of his class. The book starts off with a police officer putting him in handcuffs because he was helping his ex-girlfriend late at ...more

39 likes · Like · see review

Sep 21, 2018 Puck rated it it was ok

Shelves: people-of-colour, young-adult, disappointment

Doesn’t matter how important it’s message is: this book is a mess.

Yes, more (contemporary) novels about young black boys are necessary – but they need to be better than this badly written, overdramatic novel with a plot all over the place. Martin Luther King barely can get a word in.

It sucks that Justyce gets wrapped up in this flawed story, because I actually like the kid. The ways he reacts and lashes out after his unfair arrest are realistic and painful: his anger about the injustice and rac ...more

14 likes · Like · see review

Mar 22, 2020 Megan rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This was an excellent excellent book. It made me cry and gave me hope.

It tackles racism, police brutality and the appallingly recurrent phenomenon of white police officers shooting unarmed black people, while frequently using the unbelievable rationale that they were afraid for their lives.

A senior on scholarship at an exclusive Atlanta prep school, Justyce grew up in a sketchy neighborhood and has seen some of his childhood friends get involved with gangs. He wants a better life, and hopes edu This was an excellent excellent book. It made me cry and gave me hope.

It tackles racism, police brutality and the appallingly recurrent phenomenon of white police officers shooting unarmed black people, while frequently using the unbelievable rationale that they were afraid for their lives.

A senior on scholarship at an exclusive Atlanta prep school, Justyce grew up in a sketchy neighborhood and has seen some of his childhood friends get involved with gangs. He wants a better life, and hopes education will help him do that. He and his best friend Manny, are some of the few minority students in the mostly white school.

Justyce’s on again off again girlfriend takes after her Norwegian supermodel mother rather than her African American retired NFL father, so when Justyce tries to do a good deed, stops her from driving home drunk from a local convenience store and tries to load her into the backseat to drive her home, a racist cop jumps to conclusions, smacks him around and puts him in handcuffs without reading him his rights. Luckily, his friend Manny’s parents are high profile lawyers who help out, so the police brutality doesn’t lead to anything worse at the time.

The book is called Dear Martin because Justyce is writing letters to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, as a sort of journaling project to help him sort out his life experiences, both positive and negative, including the micro aggressions, racism and inequality he experiences. He’s also dealing with his growing feelings for his Jewish debate team partner (who is a much better match for him than his ex but his mom doesn’t want him to date white girls) and fairly typical teenage hijinks.

The next paragraph contains spoilers, so be forewarned. Justyce and Manny are the victims of a police shooting. Manny is stressed because he got in his first ever physical fight with his white best friend over some racist/sexist comments the friend was obliviously making about future co-Ed college hookups and the friend’s father is pressing charges against Manny. Which is, frankly, ridiculous and appalling and sadly realistic. Manny and Justyce go for a drive with the music blasting and get cussed out at a stoplight by some belligerent older white dude who yells at them to turn down the music. When Manny cusses right back and turns the music up, the dude shoots them. He’s an off duty cop, and, of course, claims he thought they were gang members with a gun who were threatening his life. Justyce survives. Manny does not, and the press does every possible negative spin to blame the victim. Manny’s cousin was in a gang, Manny had been in a fight (tho the charges were dropped), so obviously he was a dangerous young man who had to die. Seeing the effect on Manny’s family is heart rending.

Justyce does what he can to combat this and struggles to reconcile the ideals MLK lived by with the terrible reality he himself is facing. Justyce has some great mentors and friends who help him. The ending is hopeful, despite the heartbreak.

This is an excellent YA book and I recommend it. Content warning: police brutality, racism and prejudice, slut shaming, teen partying and underage drinking, gang violence, physical fighting, murder.

...more

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Oct 07, 2020 Nanci rated it liked it

I feel readers of this book should be college age or older. There are a lot of curse words and other more mature topics. It barely garners 3 stars from me. I was expecting so much more on a topic as important as this, but just didn’t find it.

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Jan 09, 2021 babygirllit (Tish) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: library-book

Powerful! Honest! Gut Wrenching! Well Written!

The story presents some of the challenges African Americans face daily. There were moments when I found myself with my mouth wide open and angry at the same time.

Another book that has a lot discussion topics for everyone.

Check it out. It's a page turner and you will not be disappointed.

Always stay to true to yourself and live for you. 👍 ...more

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