Dear Martin (Dear Martin, #1) in KAXE/KBXE What We're Reading

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Nov 11, 2018 Amanda up North rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, young-adult, epistolary, states-georgia

My 14-year-old daughter was assigned Dear Martin to read in her 9th grade English class. I'd seen buzz on it, and she mentioned to us that it contained a lot of profanity and content she's not used to, so out of curiosity, I picked it up and read it over the weekend. I'm glad I did. In some ways (language and suggestiveness) I am surprised that this was assigned in school - back in my day teachers assigned pretty mild novels, nothing like this. But it was a quick and engaging read that prompted My 14-year-old daughter was assigned Dear Martin to read in her 9th grade English class. I'd seen buzz on it, and she mentioned to us that it contained a lot of profanity and content she's not used to, so out of curiosity, I picked it up and read it over the weekend. I'm glad I did. In some ways (language and suggestiveness) I am surprised that this was assigned in school - back in my day teachers assigned pretty mild novels, nothing like this. But it was a quick and engaging read that prompted important discussion in our home, and is likely to do so in classrooms and beyond, on the topics of race relations and social justice.

There were some superb, thought-provoking insights in Dear Martin. Early on as I read, all the gears in my mind were engaged in the best way. It was challenging me to think about things that I don't have to deal with in my daily life. I anticipated that it could go all the way for an out-of-the-park, five-star read.

"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 leave.
..Knowing there are people who don't want me to succeed is depressing. Especially coming from two directions."

Then some of the scenes and events, or maybe how they were written, weren't all that believable for me. I understand smart kids are capable of doing dumb things, but the Halloween costumes.. These kids are about to enter college, they're not naive - they're from greater Atlanta, and they've received a fantastic education that includes classes like Societal Evolution. Bottom line: I would hope that friends don't let friends dress up as KKK.
The crucial turning point scene, too. It just fell a little short, a little weak. The writing style allowed there to be a lot of holes. The pacing bounced along too lightly, I felt it needed to slow down, be felt and explored in more depth. This could have a lot to do with the target audience, a notion that young people have shorter attention spans, easily distracted by all the distractions there are these days. Where I saw the lack of detail and depth as a weakness, it may very well be a strength for the book that it's so short and moves so fast.. allowing more young readers to read it. (It is, despite these small shortages in my eye, a very relevant and worthy read.)
I also wished that there'd been more exploration of the Martin Luther King Jr. thread that included the title and journal entries from Justyce throughout. I felt this was supposed to contribute greatly to the backbone of the book, yet MLK was glossed over. I would've liked to see his legacy given a bit more attention and understanding for the young reader, on what particular inspiration or guidance Justyce was reaching for in these letters to Dr. King.

If I'm to be honest and unbiased (which I try to be), I'd rate this book 3 stars on writing, pace, and execution. The plot was spotty. I found the read, as a whole, anticlimactic.
But the purpose of Dear Martin surpasses everything else in importance, and is achieved without being preachy. 5 stars all the way there.
The ending was moving and hopeful.
And how fantastic was SJ? I loved the inclusion of a smart young woman. Loved the discussions in Doc Dray's class. And I appreciated all the thoroughly varied race relation issues, which added to the power of the book.

“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?” ...more

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May 09, 2019 Susie marked it as to-read

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Sep 22, 2020 Susie marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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