conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Provide a description for a book titled Dear Martin about African, American, Justyce with the genre: Teen & Young Adult, Literature & Fiction.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Gr 9 UpJustyce is an African American teen caught between two worlds. He knows that the education he's receiving at a private school will grant him more economic opportunities, however he begins to question the effects his private school education on his own identity. Some of his classmates believe that the racial pendulum has swung too far, giving African Americans an unfair advantage over their white counterparts. The kids he grew up with believe Justyce has assimilated too much and has forgotten where he came from. He questions his blackness, his relationship with his biracial girlfriend, and his attraction to his white debate partner Sarah Jane. Through a series of journal entries, Justyce attempts to figure out his place in the world by exploring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. A violent altercation between a retired white police officer and his best friend causes Justyce to examine what it means to be an African American male in 2017. The length and pace of this well-written story make it a perfect read for reluctant and sophisticated readers alike. The main characters are well balanced and will resonate with teens. However, the voice of African American women is largely absent from the narrative. The characterization of Justyce's mother and his girlfriend are one-dimensional compared to some of the other protagonists. Still, this important work should be read alongside Jason Reynolds's and Brendan Kiely's All-American Boys and Kekla Magoon's How It Went Down. VERDICT An good choice for school and public libraries.Desiree Thomas, Worthington Library, OH
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Provide the first four paragraphs for this book.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Dear Martin
  SJ: Now erase the two backgrounds. We'll keep it simple and say GPA-wise, you have a four-point-oh and he has a three-point-six. Test scores, you got a fifteen-eighty, right? Well, this guy got an eleven-twenty. Based on GPA and scores only, which one of you is more likely to get into a good college?
  SJ: Is that fair? You've had access to WAY more than he has...would it be fair for a college to consider only GPA and test scores in determining who deserves to get in?
  SJ: I'm not saying the system is perfect. Yes, people who legitimately aren't as qualified get picked over people who are, and yes, it's usually people of color getting picked over white people. But before you say something "isn't fair," you should consider your starting point versus someone else's.
  Jared: Whatever. All I know is that no matter what college I end up at, when I see a minority, I'm gonna wonder if they're qualified to be there.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Provide five more paragraphs.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: The three descend into silence as silverware clinks and scrapes against bone china and beverages slowly disappear from glasses. Justyce is thankful for the lack of conversation; Manny's absence makes it almost impossible to breathe, let alone talk.
  Once they finish, Mr. Julian clears his throat. "So, Justyce, we invited you here tonight for a few reasons," he begins.
  Dr. Rivers nods. "It's not a conviction, of course. But it's a start. Just a relief to know what happened is being treated as a crime."
  She nods. "Well, if you're willing, Quan would like to see you. You've been added to his visitation list."
  For a minute, no one speaks. Jus can feel Mr. Julian's gaze, but there's no way he can look at him. He's what Manny would've looked like if he'd gotten the chance to get older.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Provide the last five paragraphs.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: In a statement to police, Garrett Tison's attorney claimed she received a phone call from Mr. Tison alleging that guards refused to put him in isolation despite his complaints about receiving threats.
  There's already someone standing over Manny's grave as Justyce approaches. Part of him wants to turn around, go sit in his car until the person leaves—but he knows that's not what Manny would want him to do.
  They settle into a comfortable silence, both staring at the headstone. A cool wind blows around them, and it's like Jus can feel the EJR on his watchband pressing into the skin of his once-swollen wrist.
  It goes without saying that a lot of time and effort and energy went into this project. My list of thanks to those most directly involved:
  Stone lives in Atlanta with her husband and two sons. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram at @getnicced or on her website at nicstone.info.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Delete the first sentence.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Tison alleging that guards refused to put him in isolation despite his complaints about receiving threats.
  There's already someone standing over Manny's grave as Justyce approaches. Part of him wants to turn around, go sit in his car until the person leaves—but he knows that's not what Manny would want him to do.
  They settle into a comfortable silence, both staring at the headstone. A cool wind blows around them, and it's like Jus can feel the EJR on his watchband pressing into the skin of his once-swollen wrist.
  It goes without saying that a lot of time and effort and energy went into this project. My list of thanks to those most directly involved:
  Stone lives in Atlanta with her husband and two sons. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram at @getnicced or on her website at nicstone.info.