KidLitExchange Review: Dear Martin

**Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.**

Oh my, this book! First of all, I knew from the title that this book would capture my interest, but I had no idea how amazing it would be. Right now, there is a trend for young adult book's to focus on topics that adolescents actually care about. One of those topics includes discussions of race, the law, and when force should be used. 

For teachers, I think this book would fit nicely with The Hate U Give and Piecing Me Together. All three of these books circle similar topics, and share sage advice for young people trying to make sense of the world around them. This is five-star read that will be available on October 17, 2017!

Dear Martin by Nic Stone

In this book, we meet Justyce. When the story opens, Justyce is on his way to find his ex-girlfriend who has had too much to drink at a party. He wants to offer her a ride home, but when he finds her, she is stubborn and gives him a hard time. As he struggles to help her, a cop shows up and immediately forces Justyce to the ground and puts him in handcuffs. Hours later, the situation is resolved, but Justyce is left with emotional scars, in addition to the physical bruises on his wrists.

Justyce begins an exercise following this altercation. He decides to start writing letters to Martin Luther King, Jr. He keeps these in a notebook and divulges his concerns about race and how the law perceives young Black men. His letters are raw and show the internal struggle Justyce faces.

As the story progresses, Justyce is repeatedly presented with situations involving race. He constantly has to make a choice to stand up for himself, or allow racial inequalities to continue. His friends, his teachers, and his family also weigh in on what they are concerned about. The story eventually escalates and has severe and traumatic consequences for Justyce, opening his emotional scars and forcing him to decide the kind of person he wants to be. 

I think Nic Stone has perfectly captured the emotion and discussion young people are having today. They are concerned about their future, and she presents those conversations as if she watched adolescents as they spoke. I think this is a great book for adolescents to read and can help teachers begin difficult conversations with their students. I know my former students would have loved this book, especially now. 

Happy Reading!!