Research Guides: Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration: Resources & Media

Book Publications

Dear Martin by Nic Stone
ISBN: 9781101939499
Publication Date: 2017
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * WILLIAM C. MORRIS AWARD FINALIST * ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 BEST YA BOOKS OF ALL TIME After a traffic stop turns violent at the hands of the police, a young Black teen grapples with racism--and what it means for his future. Critically acclaimed author Nic Stone boldly tackles America's troubled history with race relations in her gripping debut novel. "Raw and gripping." -JASON REYNOLDS, #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of Stamped: Racism, Anti-Racism, and You Justyce is a good kid, an honor student, and always there to help a friend--but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs without cause. When faced with injustice, Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out. Then comes the day Justyce and a friend spark the fury of an off-duty cop. Words fly, shots are fired, and the boys get caught in the crosshairs. But in the media fallout, it's Justyce who is under attack. "A must-read!" -ANGIE THOMAS, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give "Powerful, wrenching." -JOHN GREEN, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Turtles All the Way Down
Odd One Out by Nic Stone
ISBN: 9781101939567
Publication Date: 2019
From the New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin comes an honest and touching depiction of friendship, first love, and everything in between. Perfect for fans of Love, Simon and What If It's Us. Courtney Cooper and Jupiter Charity-Sanchez (Coop and Jupe!) have been next-door neighbors and best friends since they were seven years old. She's his partner in crime and other half. But lately, Coop can't ignore the fact that he might want something more than friendship from Jupiter. When Rae Chin moves to town, she can't believe how lucky she is to find Coop and Jupe. Being the new kid is usually synonymous with "pariah," but around these two, she finally feels like she belongs. She's so grateful she wants to kiss him . . . and her. Jupiter has always liked girls. But when Coop starts daing Rae, Jupe realizes that the only girl she ever really imagined by his side was her. One story. Three sides. No easy answers. "Fans of Nic and new readers will find themselves engrossed." --Teen Vogue "Declaring yourself--how you would like to be represented and whom you want to love and connect with--is treated with real tenderness." --The New York Times
Jackpot by Nic Stone
ISBN: 9781984829658
Publication Date: 2020
From the author of the New York Times bestseller Dear Martin--which Angie Thomas, the bestselling author of The Hate U Give, called "a must read"--comes a pitch-perfect romance that examines class, privilege, and how a stroke of good luck can change an entire life. Meet Rico: high school senior and afternoon-shift cashier at the Gas 'n' Go, who after school and work races home to take care of her younger brother. Every. Single. Day. When Rico sells a jackpot-winning lotto ticket, she thinks maybe her luck will finally change, but only if she--with some assistance from her popular and wildly rich classmate Zan--can find the ticket holder who hasn't claimed the prize. But what happens when have and have-nots collide? Will this investigative duo unite...or divide? Nic Stone, the New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin and Odd One Out, creates two unforgettable characters in one hard-hitting story about class, money--both too little and too much--and how you make your own luck in the world. "Funny, captivating, and thoughtful." --The Atlantic.com
Dear Justyce by Nic Stone
ISBN: 9781984829665
Publication Date: 2020
An NPR Best Book of the Year * The stunning sequel to the critically acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestseller Dear Martin. An incarcerated teen writes letters to his best friend about his experiences in the American juvenile justice system. An unflinching look into the tragically flawed practices and silenced voices in the American juvenile justice system. 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. "A powerful, raw, must-read told through the lens of a Black boy ensnared by our broken criminal justice system." -Kirkus, Starred Review
Shuri: a Black Panther Novel (Marvel) by Nic Stone
ISBN: 9781338585476
Publication Date: 2020
From New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone comes an all-new upper middle grade series based on one of the Marvel Universe's break-out characters Shuri, from Black Panther!An original, upper-middle-grade series starring the break-out character from the Black Panther comics and films: T'Challa's younger sister, Shuri! Crafted by New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone. Shuri is a skilled martial artist, a genius, and a master of science and technology. But, she's also a teenager. And a princess. This story follows Shuri as she sets out on a quest to save her homeland of Wakanda.For centuries, the Chieftain of Wakanda (the Black Panther) has gained his powers through the juices of the Heart-Shaped Herb. Much like Vibranium, the Heart-Shaped Herb is essential to the survival and prosperity of Wakanda. But something is wrong. The plants are dying. No matter what the people of Wakanda do, they can't save them. And their supply is running short. It's up to Shuri to travel from Wakanda in order to discover what is killing the Herb, and how she can save it, in the first volume of this all-new, original adventure.
Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton; Tiffany D. Jackson; Nic Stone; Angie Thomas; Ashley Woodfolk; Nicola Yoon
ISBN: 9780063088092
Publication Date: 2021
Six critically acclaimed, bestselling, and award-winning authors bring the glowing warmth and electricity of Black teens in love to this charming, hilarious, and heartwarming novel that shines a bright light through the dark. A summer heatwave blankets New York City in darkness. But as the city is thrown into confusion, a different kind of electricity sparks... A first meeting. Long-time friends. Bitter exes. And maybe the beginning of something new. When the lights go out, people reveal hidden truths. Love blossoms, friendship transforms, and new possibilities take flight. Beloved authors--Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon--celebrate the beauty of six couples and the unforgettable magic that can be found on a sweltering starry night in the city.
Clean Getaway by Nic Stone
ISBN: 9781984893000
Publication Date: 2021
From the New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin comes a middle-grade road-trip story through American race relations past and present, perfect for fans of Jacqueline Woodson and Jason Reynolds. How to Go on an Unplanned Road Trip with Your Grandma: - Grab a Suitcase: Prepacked from the big spring break trip that got CANCELLED. - Fasten Your Seatbelt: G'ma's never conventional, so this trip won't be either. - Use the Green Book: G'ma's most treasured possession. It holds history, memories, and most important, the way home. What Not to Bring: - A Cell Phone: Avoid contact with Dad at all costs. Even when G'ma starts acting stranger than usual. Take a trip through the American South with the New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone and an eleven-year-old boy who is about to discover that the world hasn't always been a welcoming place for kids like him, and things aren't always what they seem--his G'ma included.
Fast Pitch by Nic Stone
ISBN: 9781984893017
Publication Date: 2021
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone comes a challenging and heartwarming coming-of-age story about a softball player looking to prove herself on and off the field. Shenice Lockwood, captain of the Fulton Firebirds, is hyper-focused when she steps up to the plate. Nothing can stop her from leading her team to the U12 fast-pitch softball regional championship. But life has thrown some curveballs her way. Strike one: As the sole team of all-brown faces, Shenice and the Firebirds have to work twice as hard to prove that Black girls belong at bat. Strike two: Shenice's focus gets shaken when her great-uncle Jack reveals that a career-ending--and family-name-ruining--crime may have been a setup. Strike three: Broken focus means mistakes on the field. And Shenice's teammates are beginning to wonder if she's captain-qualified. It's up to Shenice to discover the truth about her family's past--and fast--before secrets take the Firebirds out of the game forever.

Media

In this video, we interview local Atlanta author Nic Stone about her debut novel, Dear Martin. The interview took place at Johns Creek Books and Gifts. ~ From YouTube video description

Our first Virtual Storytime reading comes from middle grade and young adult fiction author Nic Stone. She shares one of her favorite passages from DEAR JUSTYCE. Read more about Nic and her upcoming novel on pen.org/worldvoicesdigital, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @penworldvoices ~ From YouTube video description

Nic Stone on "Odd One Out" at the 2018 Miami Book Fair interviewed by Ashley Ford. ~ From YouTube video description

It's a middle-grade book game show, a booktube kidlit showdown! In each episode of #AuthorFanFaceOff one great writer and one super-fan go head-to-head on trivia questions based on one of the author's best loved books. Your hosts are author Steve Sheinkin and school librarian Stacey Rattner. Today's guest is #NicStone and the challenge is based on her new novel, Clean Getaway. ~ From YouTube video description.

Interviews & Book Reviews

Author Nic Stone joins us for our latest addition of the #VelshiBannedBookClub. Her best-selling YA novel “Dear Martin” is a poignant, torn from the headlines, coming of age story that grapples with the stress of being 17 and the perils of racism. Parents and school boards across the nation have called for the removal of “Dear Martin,” but Stone’s characters and themes are more universal than those calling for bans would admit. ~ From YouTube video description

Nic Stone, author of Shuri: A Black Panther Novel, joins us live at San Diego Comic-Con 2022 to chat about how she sees herself in Shuri, how she fleshed out Shuri's backstory, and offers advice to young writers. ~ From YouTube video description

#DearMartin author #NicStone tells us about feeling hopeful for future generations, and how it felt getting that call from #Marvel to write 'Shuri: A Black Panther Novel.' Hosted by anchor Danielle Graham (on maternity leave), anchor Lainey Lui, senior correspondent Traci Melchor, reporters Chloe Wilde, Tyrone Edwards, Sonia Beeksma and L.A. correspondent Liz Trinnear, etalk is Canada’s #1 daily entertainment show, shining a spotlight on home-grown television, film, fashion and music and providing a unique perspective on breaking entertainment news and the hottest headlines. ~ From YouTube video description