This was the author Nic Stone's first novel. It is a fascinating story about a young man, Justyce McAllister, a senior in high school, and his experiences with racism, police brutality, and a desire to follow the non-violent teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King.
Justyce and his friends attend Braselton Prep, where he is captain of the debate team and is headed to Yale in the fall. We meet Sarah Jane (or SJ), his white and attractive debate partner, who is Jewish American and will not put up with racism or BS from other students. (Justyce has a crush on her.) There is Manny, his best friend who is biracial and trying to navigate school, friendships, and some racist jerky friends.
The book starts with a situation you know is going to go south fast. Justyce shows up late at night to help an ex-girlfriend who is attempting to drive home drunk. He is trying to stop her and give her a ride home when a police officer shows up on the scene. The officer does not care to listen to the situation and arrests Justyce.
The book includes journal entries from Justyce. He was influenced by the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr and his journal is letters to him. He wants to uphold these peaceful non-violent teachings, but when he is faced with racism from the police, classmates, and later the media and others, he finds it hard to maintain this peaceful demeanor and questions whether he should continue down this path. This really gets put to the test later in the book when Justyce and Manny are driving around listening to music and an off duty police officer pulls up next to them demanding them to turn down the music or else.
I won’t tell anymore details because I want you to pick up the book yourself! It is a page-turner that you won’t want to put down. Nic Stone does a great job addressing race relations and current issues in this gripping YA novel. ( )

I really enjoyed the ending comma and I'll go home. I wish that there'd been a little bit more justice for the woman in this book. It definitely failed the Bechdel test. ( )

Dear Martin by Nic Stone and although gritty it is wonderful and impactful writing. Seventeen year old senior Justyce is black and is writing nightly letters to Martin Luther King. The white guys at school say that they don’t see color but they have no knowledge or empathy for black guys. He is going to a prep school and finding it difficult. The positives are Doc a biracial teacher who is very wise and Jewish Polish American who is a true ally.

There is violence and something happens when his friend Manny is playing music too loud while they are driving around. Shocking but not shocking. I think this book is a classic. ( )

A young man’s journal is written to Dr King. Signed by the author.

Autographed.