Posted by Stone, Nic. Dear Justyce (Dear Martin series). Crown Books for Young Readers, 2020. 288p. ISBN: 9781984829665. $18.99. HS, OT. *****
I cannot recommend this five-star read highly enough. The story is a sequel to Stone’s 2017 book: Dear Martin, but you can absolutely read this story without having read the first book or if it’s been awhile . This book is told from the perspective of Quan, in a series of letters to Justyce (the protagonist of Dear Martin). Quan recounts the circumstances that led to his incarceration for a crime he didn’t commit. This book takes a searing look at systemic racism, the imperativeness of having someone in your life looking out for you, hope, and redemption.
This book covers a lot of heavier topics and mature themes, so it’s one to give older high school students, though it is timely and moving reading for any adult too.
-Megan Keane, San Mateo County Libraries
Bay Area Young Adult Librarians 