Dear Martin by Nic Stone

Review by Mrs. O'Dell

Dear Martin is about Justyce, an honor roll student in his senior year who is on his way to Yale. He wants to live his life like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and so he writes journal entries to the doctor himself (hence the title).  Before he can get through senior year and on to college, the police have him in handcuffs over a major misunderstanding.  And though he isn’t arrested, he can’t shake the feeling of his wrists being in those handcuffs.  He goes from knowing it all, to questioning everything, especially about race, prejudice, and stereotypes.  Even from his own momma, who would not approve of Justyce possibly falling in love with a white girl.  Then, in one of the major climaxes of the novel, Justyce and his buddy find themselves in a verbal confrontation with a white man (over their loud music) at a red light.  A gun is pulled, shots are fired, and someone dies.  After this news-worthy crime, things just aren’t the same for many characters.  Bad choices are made, choices that almost ruin the lives of many. 

Great book.  Easy to read (although hard to digest).  

– 4 stars