Dear Justyce

Author: Nic Stone

Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers (2022)

For ages 14-17

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.

"Absolutely incredible, honest, gut-wrenching. A must read!"

–Angie Thomas

"Raw and gripping." 

–Jason Reynolds