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____karin____'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
osoordinary's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A great sequel to Dear Martin! Really enjoyed this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Gun violence and Racism
tfaye's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
exploradora's review against another edition
5.0
***5 stars***
This story is powerful, realistic and heartbreaking. It talks about how broken and messed up the American justice system is, especially when it comes to black men. I almost read it in one sitting, it's that captivating.
Quan is a young black man who has been in a detention center for over 2 years, locked up for a murder he didn't commit. While serving time, he writes to his childhood friend, Justyce (MC from book 1), in hopes of getting some sort of help. And I'll stop here with the details, because I don't want to spoil anything.
But what I can say is that while I loved [b:Dear Martin|24974996|Dear Martin (Dear Martin, #1)|Nic Stone|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1495747080l/24974996._SY75_.jpg|44640226], I believe [b:Dear Justyce|37829267|Dear Justyce (Dear Martin, #2)|Nic Stone|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1581702503l/37829267._SY75_.jpg|59509649] is a more important read, one that might be able to open some eyes to what's going on in our world right now. No way you can read this gem and and not be moved.
This story is powerful, realistic and heartbreaking. It talks about how broken and messed up the American justice system is, especially when it comes to black men. I almost read it in one sitting, it's that captivating.
Quan is a young black man who has been in a detention center for over 2 years, locked up for a murder he didn't commit. While serving time, he writes to his childhood friend, Justyce (MC from book 1), in hopes of getting some sort of help. And I'll stop here with the details, because I don't want to spoil anything.
But what I can say is that while I loved [b:Dear Martin|24974996|Dear Martin (Dear Martin, #1)|Nic Stone|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1495747080l/24974996._SY75_.jpg|44640226], I believe [b:Dear Justyce|37829267|Dear Justyce (Dear Martin, #2)|Nic Stone|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1581702503l/37829267._SY75_.jpg|59509649] is a more important read, one that might be able to open some eyes to what's going on in our world right now. No way you can read this gem and and not be moved.
webbn13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jwinchell's review against another edition
4.0
This is Quan’s story as told to his friend Justyce, the protagonist of Dear Martin. I was a little shaky on the connection because it’s been so long since I read their first book, but there are enough clues in this book to piece things together. About wrongful imprisonment, Nic Stone did extensive interviews with young people in the juvenile justice system and it’s a heartbreaker, all that Quan has to deal with and the decisions he has to make for his safety. A must read.
rachelbookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
Dear Martin is one of my favorite books, so when I was gifted a copy by a fellow reader who had an ARC (thank you!) I immediately picked it up to devour. Such a short book delivering a gut punch of a message. Nic shows how easy it is that without the right support system for young people and with systemic racism presenting limited options for Black youth, how easy it is to end up like Quan, the protagonist, behind bars before the age of 18.
In YA, people talk all the time about found families and how special they are, but yet it’s rare to hear people compare that to gang life and how easy it is to get wrapped up in that found family and become loyal to a fault when one’s own family cannot be there for you, whether they’re incarcerated, in a bad situation, or one’s home is a traumatic place to be. And yet, by reaching out to his friend Justyce, Quan finds the support of a legal team, teacher, and counselor that Nic cites in her letter from the author as being the most unrealistic part of the book. Quan’s story is so many teens’ realities, as the author explains in the first few pages of the book.
I thought this book was spectacularly written, detailing out a life and the choices and circumstances that led to Quan’s life behind bars. In this story and in his letters and flashbacks, he’s able to reflect on moments that devalued him, moments where he needed support, and the choices he made amidst everything that he regrets, and yet how he couldn’t see another choice in the circumstances he had. I especially appreciate how traumas from his youth are discussed in terms of mental health and anxiety throughout the book. I hope that in particular helps other teens recognize their own mental health needs.
I appreciated seeing familiar characters from Dear Martin come back in this book with a lot of growth (or just more of their excellence like Doc and SJ). Justyce and Jared continue to grow as characters and it was great to read, as their insights are fuel for much of the humor in the book that caused me to laugh out loud while reading.
I am so glad this book exists and that it can be used as a vehicle for understanding, empathy, and hope. I definitely recommend reading it once it is released on September 29th, 2020.
In YA, people talk all the time about found families and how special they are, but yet it’s rare to hear people compare that to gang life and how easy it is to get wrapped up in that found family and become loyal to a fault when one’s own family cannot be there for you, whether they’re incarcerated, in a bad situation, or one’s home is a traumatic place to be. And yet, by reaching out to his friend Justyce, Quan finds the support of a legal team, teacher, and counselor that Nic cites in her letter from the author as being the most unrealistic part of the book. Quan’s story is so many teens’ realities, as the author explains in the first few pages of the book.
I thought this book was spectacularly written, detailing out a life and the choices and circumstances that led to Quan’s life behind bars. In this story and in his letters and flashbacks, he’s able to reflect on moments that devalued him, moments where he needed support, and the choices he made amidst everything that he regrets, and yet how he couldn’t see another choice in the circumstances he had. I especially appreciate how traumas from his youth are discussed in terms of mental health and anxiety throughout the book. I hope that in particular helps other teens recognize their own mental health needs.
I appreciated seeing familiar characters from Dear Martin come back in this book with a lot of growth (or just more of their excellence like Doc and SJ). Justyce and Jared continue to grow as characters and it was great to read, as their insights are fuel for much of the humor in the book that caused me to laugh out loud while reading.
I am so glad this book exists and that it can be used as a vehicle for understanding, empathy, and hope. I definitely recommend reading it once it is released on September 29th, 2020.
elizkacz's review against another edition
5.0
Stone has such a wonderful way of writing, from the emotional and stylistic to the research and care that goes behind each story. I'm excited to read more of her work (some that's sitting in my tbr pile).
dustyshell's review against another edition
4.0
Dear Martin was a powerful book and this sequel, while not as moving, is an important follow up. It gives an insightful view into the school to prison pipeline that so many young boys of color are moved through. Our systems need massive overhaul.