Utopia State of Mind
Book Reviews
Review: Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Dear Martin is one of those books I can’t believe I didn’t pick up sooner. I heard all the hype and somehow it just slipped deeper into my TBR, but as I was scrolling Scribd I found it and listened and I am so remorseful I didn’t read this sooner.
Justyce McAllister is top of his class and set for the Ivy League—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. And despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can’t escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates. Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out. Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up—way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it’s Justyce who is under attack.
Dear Martin is powerful, gripping, and heart wrenching. Reeling from the loss of his best friend, Justyce is thrown headfirst into a journey where he must question his identity, how he handles the racism, and how he will move on from his best friend’s death. It’s a book that starts before the death of his best friend as Justyce writes letters to Dr. Martin Luther King.
Dear Martin is gripping and incredibly necessary. It’s a shorter book than you might be expecting, but it brings up issues of dealing with the racism of our peers, within our family, and not letting it change who we are.
So many conversations from Dear Martin could have been ripped out of my past. While I’m not Black, I have heard so many conversations about affirmative action, color blindness, and stereotypes. I’m not at all equating our experiences, it was just a way I related and thought, “Yes, I’ve also had these conversations”.
It’s about racism, racial profiling, police brutality, and more. I feel like Dear Martin should be required reading because of the fantastic and insightful ways Stone brings up these issues, as well as the counter arguments.
I could not stop listening to Dear Martin, even when my heart ached for Justyce and that feeling of not fitting in anywhere and the immense rage of injustice.
Find Dear Martin on Goodreads , Amazon , Indiebound & The Book Depository .
What are books you heard a lot of hype about but haven’t picked up yet? I haven’t read any Holly Black either…
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The Voyager
- Entertainment
Exploring Realities and Resilience: ‘Dear Martin’ Book Review
Book Overview “Dear Martin” by Nic Stone is about a boy named Justice who lives in Atlanta. One night, he visits his ex-best friend who is drunk. During this encounter, a police officer approaches Justice and his ex-girlfriend, who is both white and Black. The officer is suspicious because it’s late at night, and Justice is talking to a white girl. Following the encounter, Justice is instructed to call someone, and he calls his mom and the girl’s parents. Despite his cooperation, the officer insists on handcuffing him, causing shock and confusion.
Evaluation One aspect of the book that I liked was how it depicted the reactions of various cops, especially when people were unjustly arrested or killed. The book demonstrated that not all cops agreed with the actions of their colleagues, and this felt realistic. While it was a tough choice not to arrest some individuals, it portrayed the harsh realities of life, including racism and the persistence of injustice.
Book Impression I genuinely enjoyed the book. It felt very realistic, even when tragic events occurred. The book made me reflect on whether these incidents were based on true stories, as it was so authentic and true to life. The authors seemed well-researched and skillfully wove real-life experiences into the story.
Characters Justice is the main character, and he is determined to fight for justice even when he ends up in challenging situations. Justice is 17 years old, soon to be 18, and aspires to attend college. He is a good student and remained resolute despite the hardships he encountered.
Another character is his best friend, who sadly did not escape arrest, unlike Justice. Justice’s relationship with his best friend was significant, and he tried to prevent many people, including her, from being arrested. They had been close friends since childhood.
Theme and Takeaways The book primarily addresses issues like racial violence and people getting killed. It encourages us to stand up and make a difference. Despite adversity, the story emphasizes resilience. The book illustrates how standing up and protesting against injustice can make a difference, even when the odds are stacked against you.
Target Audience The book is for everyone, but it appears to be primarily targeted at younger audiences. It seeks to inspire the next generation to take action and work against injustice.
Personal Connection I have seen instances of racism over the years, and even though I personally haven’t experienced it, it saddens me to see people subjected to discrimination and name-calling. For instance, as a child, someone once refused to play with me because of my race. It’s a hurtful experience that my mom still remembers. The book’s themes resonated with me because, as someone with a white mom, I’ve grown up in a diverse environment. While our generation has made strides against racism, it’s crucial to embrace diversity and accept everyone for who they are. Reading this book further emphasized the importance of unity and equality to me.
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