Et cetera : What we're reading: Dear Martin

Review of "Dear Manny" by Nic Stone:

Some time ago, I read a book titled 'Dear Martin,' by Nic Stone. I really liked it, although it wasn't a pretty story with sunshine and rainbows. The storyline involves an African American teen who is unjustly arrested. Throughout the book, Justyce writes letters to his hero, Martin Luthor King, Jr., sharing thoughts and questions. Justyce is an educated, good-looking, decent young man who attends prep school and generally avoids violence. His best friend, Manny, has a younger cousin Quan, who is the antithesis of both Justyce and his cousin, Manny. This first book ends dramatically, and with a lot of unanswered questions.

In the second book of the trio by Nic Stone, 'Dear Justyce,' we find Quan in the middle of a domestic dispute involving Mom's boyfriend Dwight (Quan calls him "Olaf") and the rest of Quan's family. Daddy is in prison, and Quan wants to run away and never look back. The only thing holding him is his four-year-old sister and two-year-old brother. This book is more graphic and violent than the first one, and deals with the drugs, weapons, and murder in which Quan gets involved. A sad story, this one isn't recommended for the sentimental.

Book three, that I just finished, is 'Dear Manny.' In an abrupt departure from Nic Stone's usual perspective, protagonist Jared Christiansen is a white kid, "still as entitled and annoying as ever." The original character, Justyce, has reached his 3rd year at the prestigious school where Justyce, Jared and Darius Danielson attend, and Jared is his roommate in an on-campus apartment. This book tackles white privilege, and also, privilege in general. The very elite school that these young people attend is made up almost entirely of "legacy students," which indicates that a parent was a graduate of the school. Some are even "double legacy," which of course, means that both parents are alumni. Throw in a few of these entitled, highly intelligent, and officious young people, and then add a few contests to further inflame tensions, and you have the skeleton premise. Not as good as the first two books of the series, but still a good read. I'd give it a 4/5; Goodreads gave a 4.2/5.

~Connie, Library Assistant