Title: Dear Justyce
Author: Nic Stone
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi
Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles
Rating:
Summary (provided by publisher): 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.
My opinion: Dear Justyce is the sequel to Dear Martin, but it's not really necessary to read that one to understand this one. While there are references to the events of the previous novel, this plot stand fairly well on it's own. Let's be clear: this is a novel with a pointed political agenda. It seeks to point out the failings of the prison industrial complex and the school to prison pipeline. How those born "disadvantaged" have little chance to make it out of that hole. None of these things are especially surprising. More compelling to me is the portrayal of Quan's involvement in a gang. We see not only how he got involved but his continued dedication to his crew. How they took care of him and his family, his reluctance to betray them even when he disagrees with their actions. It is not a perfect book and has some rather over the top plot elements. Even so, it's a valuable addition to the conversation about race, justice, and the prison system.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
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