Jaclyn’s Review: Dear Martin by Nic Stone

Dear Martin (Dear Martin #1)
written by Nic Stone
published by Crown Books for Young Readers, 2017

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Apple Books, Target, Kobo, Book Depository, Goodreads

Did I enjoy this book? I attempted to curate a summer reading list for my 5th grade son, and this book was on many reading lists for his age level. I bought it and read it first to make sure that it was age appropriate for him. I am sad to report that this book was not age appropriate for my son, but that is very specific to my son and not a reflection of the book.

That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It reminded me of The Hate U Give, but shorter, told from a male perspective, and less emotionally charged. I read this book in one day, and it was worth every minute.

Would I recommend it? I thought this book was great. I do believe the target audience is somewhere around middle grade/middle school/high school, so I would recommend that you read the book first to determine when it is age appropriate for your child. But I will absolutely be holding on to this book and will have my son read it in a few years.
 

 

About the book – from Goodreads: 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 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.

 

 

 

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** This post first appeared on Every Free Chance Books (everyfreechance.com) on August 2, 2021.