The novel was a finalist for the William C. Morris Debut YA Award and the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award .
Justyce McAllister is an honor student at a predominantly white preparatory school, headed for the Ivy League. His life changes abruptly when he is racially profiled and violently arrested by a police officer while trying to help his ex-girlfriend. To process his trauma and the injustices he sees, Justyce begins writing a series of letters to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., questioning if King’s non-violent teachings are still applicable in the modern world. The novel serves as a commentary on several social issues: Dear Martin - Nic Stone
Originally written as a standalone debut, the book has expanded into a trilogy: The novel was a finalist for the William C
A sequel focusing on Quan, an incarcerated teen who writes letters to Justyce from a youth detention center. Dear Manny (2025): The final installment in the trilogy. Impact and Awards Bestseller Status: It is a #1 New York Times bestseller. His life changes abruptly when he is racially
is a critically acclaimed young adult novel by Nic Stone, published in 2017. It explores the life of Justyce McAllister, a high-achieving Black teenager who grapples with systemic racism and police brutality in contemporary America. Core Premise and Plot
The original story of Justyce McAllister.
