Dear Martin - Nic Stone (Review by Emmie Vargas)

    

            Imagine that you get a call from your ex-girlfriend in the middle of the night, she is dazed and it is apparent that she is drunk. You decide to go out and find her to return her home so she isn't endangering herself and others. When you arrive she's a mess and you try to help her into her car but when the police arrive they assume the worst. You have been arrested on the assumption that you were trying to take advantage of your ex-girlfriend which isn't the case at all. After your encounter with the police, you begin to ponder and take a much higher interest in the inequality prevalent in your situation and in many others across the country. You grew up in a poor neighborhood with the odds stacked against you, you work and now attend a high-ranking high school with dreams of even more success and a bright future. Now you wonder if everything you have worked for will be swept away from you due to a prejudice society seems to have against you. You see everyone affected by this prejudice and preconception, which takes a toll on their mental health and future. This issue seems to be fatal. Throughout the turmoil, you try to live your life as you intended it to, even with an impending court verdict for something you didn't even do. Your eyes are open to your identity at your school and in your newfound community. You can't escape it, but sadly, it is a factor to live with. 

    Dear Martin is the story of an inquiring mind of Justyce as he tries to work through the hardships of being black in a PWI (predominantly white institution). The community that he is in, is far from accepting he can't seem to get in favor with his peers even though he is extremely intelligent. He is on the debate team, ranked 4th in his class, and has a bright future at Yale. Even with all these factors he is threatened with jail time for a felony that he didn't commit. Nic Stone gives the reader a clear vision of his plot and the structure is very unique. He frames Justyce's story as him writing letters about his life to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (hence the book title). His word choice allows the reader to fully grasp the emotions that are seeping out of the pages. Stone is a talented writer and this is his debut novel following the real-life event of the murder of Jordan Davis. He brings up very important topics that must be discussed in society and most importantly literature.