Dear Martin: a novel

 Bibliography: Stone, N. (2017). Dear Martin. Crown Books for Young Readers. ISBN:978-1-101-93949-9

Plot Summary: Justyce is a high school senior caught between two worlds. The fact that he is at the top of his class and headed for an Ivy League school doesn't matter to the cop who arrests him as a result of racial profiling.  Societal pressures make it hard for him to find his place: as a black student in a mostly white school he doesn't feel he fits, and the fact that he is headed for college and career results in the other black kids in his neigborhood calling him a sellout. He tries to address these issues by journaling, addressing his thoughts to Martin Luther King.  But when his best friend is killed by an off-duty cop, he becomes even more conflicted.  Add in to this his feelings for a white girl at school, and it result in a serious search for identity and self. 

Critical Analysis: The story is told third person, through the eyes of the protagonist, Justyce. Throughout the story, Justyce himself interjects with his journaling, addressed to Dr. King.  It is throught these that we get a clearer picture of Justyce's inner feeling. The author uses young adult vernacular well without being condescending ("prolly" instead of probably, friends calling each other "dawg"). She also does a fairly good job of showing the struggles young black men face and addresses it in a respectful way. She also points out the sad reality they grow up in, as their parents teach them how to deal with cops so as to try and prevent any conflict.  It was a quick read, so would be a good book for reluctant reader, especially as the language was generally simple and straightforward.  I enjoyed the plot, but at times felt the writing was slightly mediocre. 

Reviews: 

    Kirkus Reviews: "Though constrained, the work nevertheless stands apart in a literature that too often finds it hard to look hard truths in the face. Take interest and ask questions."

    TheAtlantic.com: "Dear Martin effectively dismantles the idea that any amount of personal success can shield someone from racism."

    Awards:

    Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2018

    Best Fiction for Young Adults, 2018

Connections:

    Use in a Criminal Justice class. Have a discussion/debate about racial profiling. 

    Use in a Sociology class.  Have a discussion about systemic racism.

    Use in a History class. Have students read before or during a civil rights unit. Students can then research Civil Rights movements and compare and contrast the movements of Dr. King and Malcolm X.

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