Nic Stone

Nic Stone is the author of many young adult novels, including the bestselling Dear Martin series, and the highly acclaimed middle grade novels Clean Getaway and Fast Pitch. Powerful and heartfelt, her books are gripping, profoundly relevant stories that examine the complexities of identity, privilege, race, social justice, and resilience in pitch-perfect, age-appropriate ways.

NEW FROM NIC STONE

★ “A heartrending ode to the pain and relief of finding the words.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “Powerful….The buildup to the book’s gut-punch ending is expertly crafted.” —The Horn Book, starred review

“A powerful story that stands confidently on its own….Stone handles weighty themes with remarkable tenderness and honesty….a moving reflection on resilience and the choices that remain even when circumstances feel impossible.” —Booklist

“An emotional and satisfying read.” —Publishers Weekly

Timely Middle Grade

★ “A heartwarming, family-centered adventure that will leave readers guessing until the end.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Rich in history, Stone’s middle-grade debut entertains and informs young readers….A road trip to remember.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Stone has crafted a history lesson in road-trip form….a good addition for school ­libraries seeking unconventional approaches to history.” —School Library Journal

“A road novel that serves in part as a primer on important scenes and themes of the civil-rights movement… [A] poignant caper.” —The Wall Street Journal 

★ “A grand slam of an adventure.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “Black girl magic hits a home run in Stone’s latest novel.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Tensions are high as the plot bounces between gameplay and sleuthing, ultimately reaching a satisfying conclusion…. Readers of all ages will cheer for Shenice.” —Booklist

“A sports mystery that will keep ­readers engaged from start to finish…Discussions about race and civil rights are seamlessly ­woven into the narrative through Shenice’s own ­experiences.” —School Library Journal

“This contemporary sports story goes beyond mere genre appeal; it is a novel of substance, carrying the weight of history.” –The Horn Book

The Dear Martin Series

ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE’S 100 BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOKS EVER
WILLIAM C. MORRIS AWARD FINALIST
ALAN / AMELIA ELIZABETH WALDEN AWARD FINALIST

★ “Teens, librarians and teachers alike will find this book a godsend…Vivid and powerful.”–Booklist, starred review

“A visceral portrait of a young man reckoning with the ugly, persistent violence of social injustice.”–Publishers Weekly

“A powerful, wrenching, and compulsively readable story that lays bare the history, and the present, of racism in America.” –John Green, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Turtles All the Way Down
 
“Painfully timely and deeply moving.” –Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Raw and gripping.” –Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Long Way Down

“Absolutely incredible, honest, gut-wrenching. A must read!” –Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give

AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
A BANK STREET BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR

★ “An unforgettable tour de force of social-justice and activist literature.” —Booklist, starred review

★ “A powerful, raw must-read told through the lens of a Black boy ensnared by our broken criminal justice system.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “Stone tackles the American juvenile justice system and its unjust persecution of Black boys in this gritty, powerful sequel to Dear Martin.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“This book expands the conversation about systemic racism to include young men of color who don’t fit the demands of respectability politics…. A nuanced perspective on the juvenile justice system.” —School Library Journal

“[An] emotionally intense follow-up to the William C. Morris Debut Award finalist Dear Martin.” —Shelf Awareness

“Teens can relate to the feelings of alienation, loneliness, and confusion that lead Quan to make many of the choices that he does, even as the book explores the various ways our current justice system disenfranchises young people of color.” —The Horn Book

★ “Stone has done a brilliant job with this memorable character-driven novel. It’s beautifully written with spot-on dialogue and clever plotting. It’s great fun to read while also being thought-provoking. Dear Nic: congratulations on another great success.” —Booklist, starred review

★ “A startlingly effective snapshot of cis white male frustration and growth, this also succinctly examines the societal effects of political moves.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“A concise, thoughtful narrative that challenges the concept and ideals of allyship through an unexpected lens.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Stone again deals thoughtfully with issues that are relevant to teens today.” —The Horn Book

More Thrilling YA

“A beautiful exploration of neurodivergence, grief, and taking risks.” —Booklist

“Readers will appreciate Stone’s honest discussion of the critical issues of mental illness and substance abuse… as well as what it means to support a friend who is in need.” —The Horn Book

“An honest, if stark, examination of how teen relationships can grow and mature through intense trials.” —School Library Journal

“An honest work that highlights the importance of mental illness advocacy amid societal preconceptions and pressures.” —Publishers Weekly

“A thoughtful, realistically messy emotional wallop that destigmatizes mental disorders.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Offers a discussion starter about the prioritization of recovery and healing.” —The Bulletin

AN NPR BEST BOOK OF 2018!

★ “Essential reading.” –Booklist, starred review

“An important and necessary love story.” –School Library Journal

“Stone challenges stereotypical notions of what it means to be straight, bisexual, or gay, showing how sexual identities and desires can be as complicated as the individual human brain.” –Publishers Weekly

“For fans of authors who dig complex relationships, like Shannon M. Parker, Ashley Woodfolk and Misa Sugiura.” –Paste Magazine

“[A] hard-to-put-down, enjoyable read.” —Booklist

“Smart, humorous and hopeful.” —Shelf Awareness

“Stone delivers a thoughtful and polished novel about class, privilege, and relative poverty.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A deftly constructed tale that is equal parts satisfying wish-fulfillment and light-handed lessons learned…. This is a real winner.”—School Library Journal

“By turns romantic, funny, and surprising, the story explores how class, status, and money—or lack thereof—have the ability to limit or expand life opportunities, the choices we make, and our universal need for love and connection.” —The Horn Book