Dear Justyce: Dear Martin, Book 2 Nic Stone – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Dear Justyce: Dear Martin, Book 2 Nic Stone

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2022

72%

WISE Score

A gut-punch sequel about a bright kid behind bars, asking the hardest question: what leads someone down this road?

Dear Justyce: Dear Martin, Book 2 Nic Stone

book

2022

72%

WISE Score

A gut-punch sequel about a bright kid behind bars, asking the hardest question: what leads someone down this road?

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Screenwise Verdict

Dear Justyce is not an easy read, but it's an important one. Nic Stone doesn't shy away from the hard stuff—police brutality, a murder charge, the juvenile justice system—and she tells Quan's story with raw honesty and deep empathy. It's the kind of book that makes you think, feel, and question assumptions about guilt, innocence, and who gets a second chance.

That said, this is heavy. It's emotionally intense, and it echoes real-life tragedies that have affected countless families. If your teen is ready for that—if they can sit with discomfort and think critically about systemic issues—this book will stick with them in the best way. But if they're younger, more sensitive, or not in the headspace for something this raw, wait.

Bottom line: It's a must-read for the right teen at the right time. Just make sure they're ready.

Age Fit

This is best for mature teens 14 and up who can handle emotionally heavy content about police violence, incarceration, and systemic racism. It's not appropriate for younger or more sensitive readers who aren't ready for that level of intensity.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The book tackles heavy themes—police brutality, incarceration, systemic racism—with emotional weight and honesty. It's not 'feel-good' material, but it models empathy, reflection, and the importance of understanding others' circumstances. The narrative is emotionally challenging rather than chaotic, but the subject matter (dead cop, murder charge, detention center) is inherently distressing. It's wholesome in its intent to humanize a young Black teen caught in a broken system, but the tone is heavy and may be overwhelming for some readers.

Imaginative

Stone uses an inventive structure—flashbacks, vignettes, and letters—to piece together Quan's story, which invites readers to think critically about cause and effect, perspective, and justice. The narrative doesn't offer easy answers; it challenges readers to sit with complexity and ambiguity. While it's not 'imaginative' in a fantasy or world-building sense, it's intellectually creative in how it explores real-world issues and asks readers to question assumptions about guilt, innocence, and the juvenile justice system.

Safe

This is a tough one. The book deals with police shootings, a murder charge, incarceration, and the trauma of a broken home—all of which echo real-life tragedies. Common Sense Media notes it 'might trigger powerful emotions in readers who reacted strongly to' similar real-life events. There's violence (a dead cop, weapon with Quan's prints), and the subject matter is emotionally intense. It's not gratuitous, but it's also not something a younger or unprepared reader should stumble into. For the right teen reader, it's important and necessary; for a younger or more sensitive kid, it could be genuinely distressing.

Enriching

This is where the book shines. It's a raw, unflinching look at the juvenile justice system and the circumstances that lead a bright kid to a murder charge. It builds empathy, challenges readers to think about systemic inequality, and offers meaningful insight into the lived experiences of Black teens in America. The letters to Justyce create a dialogue about friendship, hope, and survival. It's emotionally demanding, but the payoff in terms of understanding and growth is huge. Kirkus calls it a 'powerful, raw, must-read.' It's the kind of book that sticks with you and changes how you see the world.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Builds serious empathy—you'll see the juvenile justice system through the eyes of a teen who got caught in it, and it's eye-opening
Smart structure with flashbacks, vignettes, and letters that piece together Quan's story like a puzzle
Tackles systemic racism and police brutality head-on without preaching—it just shows you what happens
Endorsed by Jason Reynolds, John Green, and Angie Thomas, and called a 'must-read' by Kirkus
Can be read standalone, but pairs beautifully with Dear Martin for a fuller picture

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What to Watch For

This is heavy—police shootings, a murder charge, incarceration, and a broken home. It's not gratuitous, but it's emotionally intense
May trigger strong reactions in teens (or parents) who've been affected by similar real-life events
Best for mature teens who can handle complexity and sit with uncomfortable truths
One kid reviewer on Common Sense Media said it was 'sad to read' and 'a bit hard to read' due to cruelty/violence

Conversation Starters

"What do you think led Quan to end up where he is? Was there a moment where things could have gone differently?"
"How do you think Justyce feels reading Quan's letters? What would you say if you were in his shoes?"
"The book doesn't give easy answers about guilt or innocence. Do you think that's frustrating or important?"
"What does this book make you think about the way we treat kids in the justice system?"
"If you were Quan's friend, what would you want him to know?"

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