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challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book gives perspective to the unfortunate, more hidden discrimination that still lurks within the shadows (or sometimes in the open) in society today. Dear Martin is a somber yet captivating story about the struggles related to racial bias.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, Murder
challenging
emotional
sad
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:
No
It’s a great book. You see the twist coming but how it happens is so shocking still.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Police brutality
Moderate: Gun violence, Racial slurs
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Challenging and thought provoking. I definitely cried about 3/4 of the way through the book. A fantastic read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality
Moderate: Domestic abuse
challenging
emotional
reflective
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, Murder
challenging
inspiring
reflective
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
this was a great thought-provoking novel about racism and the justice system. it was very relevant and had a strong unforgettable message of tolerance and forgiveness. writing letters to a role model is always an interesting premise. also i read this as an audiobook and the narrator dion graham did an amazing job!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this story and despite reading a few books with similar themes lately, it still shocks me. I struggle to fathom the impact of 'isms' on marginalised groups, not because I disagree but rather my 'white 'privilege ' affords me comfort away from such injustices therefore my understanding can only come from reading these books. I'm thankful to learn more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, Grief, Murder
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence
challenging
emotional
informative
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
Dear Martin was an easy read, but the content was very challenging. It consistently made me angry, teary eyed, or overwhelmed. The main character encounters many issues related to racial injustice, and can’t catch a break. It’s heartbreaking, and fairly realistic. It did feel like he experienced every extreme scenario possible, which may be rare in reality. Nonetheless, created awareness about these issues and a group of people personal experiences, which I think is valuable.
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Murder
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The author tries to tackle a lot of important issues related to race and identity, but it's a fairly short book which doesn't leave much room for depth and complexity.
A lot of telling rather showing, and characters that stay one-dimensional and pretty stereotypical (the white racist brat, the gun-toting gang member, etc.).
It could still be a good starting point for discussion in a classroom, or between youths and their parents.
A lot of telling rather showing, and characters that stay one-dimensional and pretty stereotypical (the white racist brat, the gun-toting gang member, etc.).
It could still be a good starting point for discussion in a classroom, or between youths and their parents.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Classism
Minor: Genocide, Sexism, Colonisation