Dear Justyce

by Nic Stone

Hardcover, 2020

Status

Checked out
Due 2024-05-01

Call number

813.6

Publication

Crown Books for Young Readers (2020), 288 pages

Description

Young Adult Fiction. HTML:An NPR Best Book of the Year * The stunning sequel to the critically acclaimed,  #1 New York Times bestseller Dear Martin. An incarcerated teen writes letters to his best friend about his experiences in the American juvenile justice system. An unflinching look into the tragically flawed practices and silenced voices in the American juvenile justice system. Vernell LaQuan Banks and Justyce McAllister grew up a block apart in the Southwest Atlanta neighborhood of Wynwood Heights. Years later, though, Justyce walks the illustrious halls of Yale University . . . and Quan sits behind bars at the Fulton Regional Youth Detention Center. Through a series of flashbacks, vignettes, and letters to Justyce�??the protagonist of Dear Martin�??Quan's story takes form. Troubles at home and misunderstandings at school give rise to police encounters and tough decisions. But then there's a dead cop and a weapon with Quan's prints on it. What leads a bright kid down a road to a murder charge? Not even Quan is sure. "A powerful, raw, must-read told through the lens of a Black boy ensnared by our broken criminal justice system." -Kirkus, Starred Revie… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Hccpsk
Sequels rarely live up to the original work, but with Dear Justyce Nic Stone has written an excellent follow-up to the crazy popular, Dear Martin. Similar to the first book, she uses letters to frame the narrative, but this time they are between Justyce and Quan--Manny’s cousin who went to
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prison. Readers learn the full story of what happened to Quan and watch as a group of people works to get him the justice he deserves. Stone gives readers just enough of the old characters while telling the story of new ones, and masterfully manages the social justice lessons. If you loved Dear Martin you will not be disappointed, but a few caveats: a lot of language for younger readers and a loss of context for those new to the characters--definitely start with Martin.
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LibraryThing member fionaanne
Nic Stone is my new writing hero. She nails everything, plot, dialogue, characterization but still manages to be hella versatile with each new book.
LibraryThing member rgruberexcel
RGG: Very readable. Excellent read-alike to The Hate U Give. Reading Interest: 13-YA.
LibraryThing member BarnesBookshelf
This book is just as important as Dear Martin, in my opinion. I like that we get to see how Quan ended up where he did, and how it highlights the systems that forced him there.
LibraryThing member ewyatt
It's been awhile since I read Dear Martin, but that didn't hinder me from falling into this story. Quan and Justyce are both bright kids who meet during elementary school. Quan's parents aren't together and his mom is with an abusive partner. Quan's dad becomes incarcerated. And Quan needs someone
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who believes in him and his losing those people at a rapid pace for a variety of reasons. Quan is arrested once, twice, and becomes a part of Martel's operations, dealing arms and having some strict requirements for being part of an organization. When a police stop at a birthday party goes sideways, Quan finds himself in jail again. However, a community of support starts to gather around him and that changes his trajectory.
Letters and snapshots intersperse Quan's narrative that broaden the story and offer additional insight. A compelling read.
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Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2020

Physical description

288 p.; 8.62 inches

ISBN

1984829661 / 9781984829665
Page: 1.4179 seconds