{"id":38598,"date":"2021-05-09T22:50:30","date_gmt":"2021-05-10T02:50:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=38598"},"modified":"2021-05-09T22:53:48","modified_gmt":"2021-05-10T02:53:48","slug":"review-of-dear-justyce-by-nic-stone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=38598","title":{"rendered":"Review of Dear Justyce, by Nic Stone"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Dear Justyce<\/em><\/p>\n

by Nic Stone<\/p>\n

Crown, 2020. 266 pages.
\nReview written November 5, 2020, from a library book
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a powerful novel about an ordinary black teen caught in the school-to-prison pipeline. This is billed as a \u201ccompanion novel\u201d to the author\u2019s earlier award-winning book Dear Martin<\/em>. I haven\u2019t read the first book (though I\u2019m planning to fix that), and I quickly got completely absorbed in this one, so I think they\u2019re correct in not calling it a \u201csequel.\u201d<\/p>\n

The book is told from the perspective of a boy named Quan who\u2019s in prison waiting for a trial date. We don\u2019t find out why he\u2019s locked up until about halfway through the book. He\u2019s writing letters to a friend named Justyce. Justyce is the one who wrote the letters in the earlier book, Dear Martin<\/em>.<\/p>\n

In between the letters, we get the story of Quan\u2019s life and how it almost felt inevitable that he ended up getting locked up. We learn about his difficult family situation but how he found family with a gang.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll tell you right up front that this book ends with a hopeful outcome. It would be heart crushing if it didn\u2019t. The really awful part is that almost feels unrealistic. The author herself confronts this in a note at the back:<\/p>\n

It is also unlikely (unfortunately) that Quan would have such a solid team of people \u2013 friend, caseworker, therapist, teacher, and attorney \u2013 rallying around him.<\/p>\n

Which was the hardest thing of all about telling this story: knowing the most fictional part is the support Quan receives.<\/p>\n

But I think we can change that, dear reader. No matter how young or old you are, we all have the power to positively impact the people around us before<\/em> they get to the point Quan did. Sometimes all it takes to bring about a shift in direction is knowing there\u2019s someone<\/em> out there who believes you\u2019re valuable. That you have something positive to offer the world.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It was poignant for me reading this book on Election Day 2020 and writing this review before the results have been determined. But this book itself is a small way to make progress in treating more young people like valuable human beings, no matter the color of their skin. I want to encourage everyone to read this book. Oh, and did I mention? It\u2019s a great story, too.<\/p>\n

nicstone.info<\/a>
\nGetUnderlined.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Teens\/dear_justyce.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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