About the Book

Raw, captivating, and undeniably real, Nic Stone boldly tackles American race relations in this #1 New York Times bestselling novel. Justyce McAllister 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. Despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can’t escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates. 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 goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up—way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it’s Justyce who is under attack.

Print copies, ebooks and digital audiobooks for free download are available here: http://bit.ly/FPL-DearMartin

About Nic Stone

Nic Stone was born and raised in a suburb of Atlanta, GA, and the only thing she loves more than an adventure is a good story about one. After graduating from Spelman College, she worked extensively in teen mentoring and lived in Israel for a few years before returning to the US to write full-time. Growing up with a wide range of cultures, religions, and backgrounds, Stone strives to bring these diverse voices and stories to her work.
You can find her goofing off and/or fangirling over her adorable little family on most social media platforms.

2021 Programs

Venues and Registration

Please note venue(s) for each event:

In Person  • YouTube Streaming  Zoom

Registration is required for all events except for live streaming on YouTube: www.youtube.com/framinghampubliclibrary.
Space is limited at in-person events and Training Active Bystanders.

 

KEYNOTE EVENTS

Author Talk: Nic Stone

Author Nic Stone joins us virtually to discuss her book, Dear Martin. Join us in person at either Framingham State University or at the Framingham Public Library for this all-ages, community-wide discussion.

 

Framingham State University
Tuesday, October 5, 7 pm   – Framingham State University, Zoom

For more information, go to www.framingham.edu/academics/henry-whittemore-library  or email  curriculum@framingham.edu.

____________________________

Framingham Public Library
Wednesday, October 6, 7 pm –  on Zoom (new location)

Registration: https://bit.ly/Nic-Stone-Author-Talk

 

 

Book Discussion: Dear Martin  In Person •Zoom
Thursday, September 2, 7 pm – Framingham Public Library, Costin Room* and Zoom   

Register at bit.ly/FPL-Dear-Martin-Discussion

 

Stamped: Presentation and Discussion In Person  YouTube Streaming
Presented by Joe Corazzini and Taylor Collins
Thursday, September 9, 7 pm – Framingham Public Library, Costin Room* and YouTube Livestream
Joe Corazzini and Taylor Collins share with us a presentation and a discussion of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s bestselling Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America.
Register at bit.ly/FRT-Stamped


Movie Showing: The Hate U Give (rated PG-13) In Person 
Friday, September 10, 6:30 pm – Framingham Public Library, Costin Room* 
Starr Carter’s friend is killed by a police officer, and the incident becomes a national news story. She is a witness in the trial, and the movie explores her increasing activism and her relationship with her Black and White friends and family. 

Register at bit.ly/FRT-The-Hate-U-Give

 

Training Active Bystanders •Zoom
Sunday, September 12, 3 pm

Training Active Bystanders (TAB) teaches taking responsible action to help people in need. TAB gives bystanders the competencies they need when they witness something they feel is unfair, or wrong, or troubling. 

Register at bit.ly/FPL-Training-Active-Bystanders 

In collaboration with Open Spirit Center and Jewish Family Service of Metrowest

 

Dear Martin: Anansi Writes to Dr. King In Person YouTube Streaming
Featuring Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd
For children in grades 1, 2, 3 and their parents.

Monday, September 13, 7 pm – Framingham Public Library, Costin Room* and YouTube Livestream

Join us for a session of storytelling and a sharing of experiences inspired by Dear Martin and the African fables of Anansi. Rev. Dr. Lloyd will share themes from stories that encourage communication with each other and friendships with people who are different from yourself. 

Register at bit.ly/FRT-Anansi-Writes-Dr-King

 

McAuliffe Evening Book Group: Dear Martin In Person •Zoom

Tuesday, September 14, 7 pm – McAuliffe Branch Library, Community Room* and Zoom  
Register at bit.ly/FPL-Events

 

McAuliffe Morning Book Group: Dear Martin •In Person •Zoom

Thursday, September 16, 11am – McAuliffe Branch Library, Community Room* and Zoom

Register at bit.ly/FPL-Events

 

Alice’s Ordinary People: A Presentation and Discussion  Zoom
With Filmmaker Craig Dudnick
Friday, September 17, 7pm – on Zoom (new location)

Join filmmaker Craig Dudnick’s virtual visit as he discusses meeting Alice Tregay and her extraordinary life of inspiring activism from “ordinary people.” Before the discussion, be sure to watch Alice’s Ordinary People: The Chicago Freedom Movement on Kanopy: https://framinghamlibrary.kanopy.com/video/alices-ordinary-people

Register at bit.ly/FRT-Alices-Ordinary-People

 

Sharing Stories and Building Bridges  Zoom
With Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd
Monday, September 20, 7 pm – on Zoom (new location)

Hear the experiences and stories from the panel of young people here in Framingham, facilitated by Rev. Dr. Lloyd, and join us in an event of building bridges and sharing stories. 

Register at bit.ly/FRT-Stories-Bridges

 

Watch Party: Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste In Person 
Wednesday, September 22, 7 pm – Framingham Public Library, Costin Room*

Join us for a viewing of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson, author of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, a video recorded for the National Book Festival. 

Register at bit.ly/FRT-Caste-Watch-Party

 

 

Movie Showing: I Am Not Your Negro In Person
Friday, September 24, 6:30 pm – McAuliffe Branch Library, Community Room*

This 2016 BAFTA award-winning documentary is based on American novelist, playwright, essayist, poet, and activist James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript Remember This House. It discusses Baldwin’s activism, his observations of American history, and his memories of civil rights leaders. 

Register at bit.ly/FRT-I-Am-Not-Your-Negro

 

Dear Framingham: A Community Conversation Zoom
Led by Dr. Maritsa Barros, Lisa MacDonald, and Police Chief Lester Baker
Tuesday, September 28, 6:30 pm – Zoom

Dear Framingham is an event that will provide the community an opportunity to engage in conversations about Nic Stone’s book  Dear Martin and the themes that came out of the summer read. Come ready to discuss topics such as community relations, social identity, sense of belonging, police relations, and more. The community will have the option of having these conversations in small groups of mixed identities as well as affinity groups. The choice is yours. Let’s gather and discuss our letter of hope to our community in Framingham, Dear Framingham. 

Register at bit.ly/Dear-Framingham
 

*Please check our home page for the most up-to-date information on Covid safety protocols.

 
What is Framingham Reads Together?
Framingham Reads Together (FRT) is a city-wide reading, discussion, and activity program that invites citizens to read the same book at the same time. FRT aims to bring the community together through shared experiences and special events. Every two years the Framingham Public Library and local partner institutions host a series of exciting and educational events for adults and children, such as talks, films, book discussions, music, art exhibits, panel discussions, displays, scientific demonstrations, and other activities, all based on a book and a theme to be selected.
All programs are free and open to the public, except where noted.