Dear Justyce

Dear Justyce by Nic Stone was published in 2020 as a sequel to her first novel, the New York Times bestseller Dear Martin. Like its predecessor, Dear Justyce is a work of contemporary fiction that takes place in modern America. Following the success of Dear Martin, author Nic Stone was contacted by two young men who asked Stone to write a story about someone who reflected their reality—someone who did not go to a nice school and had no hope for the future or guidance in life. Dear Justyce tells the story of how poverty, lack of adult guidance, and systemic oppression can affect young, vulnerable people like the main character, Quan. This guide is based on the e-book of the Crown Books imprint by Random House Children’s Books.

Plot Summary

Dear Justyce tells the story of Quan Banks, a high school senior who is currently in prison for allegedly shooting and killing a police officer. Quan, a childhood friend of Justyce McAllister (the main character in Dear Martin), writes letters to Justyce revealing details about his life, his family, and the events leading up to the night of the shooting. Quan also uses these letters as a form of therapy to reflect on the factors that led to him sitting in this prison cell.