Picture this: you finish a book that hit you hard, and a year later the author drops a companion novel. Do you read it in order, out of order, or skip ahead? That's the small decision sitting in front of anyone eyeing Nic Stone's Dear Justice, the companion piece to her earlier hit Dear Martin.
Dear Justice is a YA contemporary novel by Nic Stone, published by Crown Books for Young Readers and recognized as a 2020 CYBILS Awards finalist in YA Fiction. It follows Quan, a young man awaiting trial after being involved in a police shooting, as he reflects on how he ended up where he is.
What the book is really about
Quan is the heart of this one. He's incarcerated, watching his future get decided in a courtroom while his mind drifts back to the choices, pressures, and loyalties that put him there. The pull quote highlighted on the CYBILS page captures the book's thesis in plain language: finding the families you were desperate for, then learning habits that sometimes land you exactly where you did not want to be.
If you remember Justyce from Dear Martin, expect him to show up here, but think of him as a visitor in Quan's story rather than the lead. Stone has been described as "a leading creative force in today's young adult literature," and this book is where she leans hardest into the structural unfairness Quan faces. Themes on the table include racism, policing, drug addiction, and the long shadow those forces cast on a teenager.
Do you need to read Dear Martin first?
Short answer: no. The plots do not depend on each other, and recurring characters are easy to follow without the backstory. There is, however, a quirky wrinkle: reading Dear Justice first might actually give you a sharper lens on Dear Martin when you circle back. Worth considering if you do not mind reading a series out of order.
Why it matters
YA realism splits readers into two camps: those who want a hopeful ending and those who want an honest one. Stone tilts toward honest without leaving readers stranded. For readers who came up on The Hate U Give or Long Way Down, this slots in naturally. Compared to a beach-read YA romance, the reading load is heavier and the emotional bill arrives earlier.
Who should care
| Reader type | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Book clubs seeking discussion material | Strong pick—short, voice-driven, loaded with talking points |
| Librarians building a social-justice shelf | Essential for giving teen readers a Black male interiority story |
| Teen readers processing their own circumstances | Risky if they need clear resolution; safer for those ready to sit with complexity |
| Fans of plot-heavy thrillers | Likely to bounce—character reflection drives this one |
| Readers planning to read both books | Start with Dear Justice; the prequel lens enriches the original |
What to watch next
The Dear Martin movie adaptation has been in development for several years, which partly explains renewed interest in Stone's catalog. None of that affects whether Dear Justice stands on its own; it just explains why new readers keep drifting into this corner.
Bottom line: Dear Justice is not a sequel you have to read, but it is a book worth reading. Keep an eye on Stone's next project, any news around the Dear Martin screen adaptation, and CYBILS shortlists each fall, which remain a reliable filter for YA that punches above its hype.
Key takeaways
- Dear Justice works as a standalone; reading order is a stylistic choice, not a requirement.
- The book's pull is Quan's interior voice on policing, race, and addiction.
- Best for readers, librarians, and book clubs building a justice-themed YA list.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dear Justice a sequel to Dear Martin?
It is a companion novel focused on Quan; the plots do not depend on each other, so you can read it without Dear Martin.
What age group is Dear Justice for?
It is published as YA, generally aimed at teen and adult readers who enjoy contemporary realistic fiction.
Where do I start if I want to read both Nic Stone books?
Start with whichever voice pulls you in. Starting with Dear Justice is valid and can shape how you later read Dear Martin.
What themes does Dear Justice cover?
Racism, policing, drug addiction, family loyalty, and growing up under pressure.
Is Dear Justice good for a book club pick?
Yes; it is short, character-driven, and rich in discussion topics around justice and identity.