Despite being at the top of his class and on track to go to Yale in the fall, Justyce McAllister still finds himself in handcuffs when he was just trying to help a drunk girl home safely. He can’t escape the implications that come with the neighborhood that he grew up in. So he seeks wisdom from Martin Luther King Jr., but does the wisdom still stand up in present day? And will it help when he’s caught in the fury of an off-duty white cop?
In line with authors like Jason Reynolds and Angie Thomas, Nic Stone doesn’t shy away from the truths that exist within our own society when it comes to race. Justyce’s narrative feels real–and gives voice to a population that is still lacking in young adult literature (though not as much as in previous years). Not only will they be able to see themselves within a fictional narrative, but it can also be eye opening to those that don’t experience this kind of discrimination.
Parts of the narrative feature letters that Justyce writes to Martin Luther King Jr., trying to figure out exactly what he’s supposed to do in reaction to those that treat him as lesser. Ultimately, Dear Martin is about Justyce finding his voice against the injustices he sees and experiences in the world. Lyrical and powerful, this is a book that everyone should read.
5/5 stars