Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Absorbing end to powerful, thought-provoking trilogy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
DEAR MANNY turns the Dear Martin trilogy spotlight on Jared, a White friend of Manny's and Justyce's now in his sophomore year at Yale and sharing an apartment on campus with Justyce. In the second semester, Jared decides to run for junior class council president on a platform of increasing equity and inclusion, making sure that everyone has space to be themselves and belongs at Yale. At first his only opponent is an ultra-conservative classmate who supports the elimination of affirmative action and wants to do away with DEI measures, too. But out of nowhere, transfer student Dylan steps into the ring—a smart, funny, young Black woman full of ideas about taking action instead of just talking about it. A class project throws Jared and Dylan together just as the campaign starts to heat up, and their attraction starts to heat up, too. Will the combination of love and politics bring them together, or tear them apart?
Is It Any Good?
Veteran author Nic Stone brings her powerful, moving trilogy to a satisfying close. As with the first two books, Dear Manny explores issues that feel both ripped from today's headlines and timeless. Stone's talent for creating believable, relatable characters and through them thoroughly exploring important issues without getting bogged down or bloated is equally on display in this book, too.
Fans of the series will enjoy getting updates on old friends from the first two books. Newcomer Dylan brings a refreshing blend of wit and snark, and classroom discussions and arguments that advance ideas with genuine heart add a nice dose of humor. Just like the first two books, the storytelling combines the main character's point of view with screenplay-like dialogues and letters Jared writes to his childhood friend Manny. Overall it's a thoughtful and thought-provoking look at empathy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Dear Manny shows the importance of empathy. What is empathy? Why is it important? Which characters show empathy, and how?
What about the strong language? Is it realistic? Does it matter if it is?
Jared sometimes uses alcohol to avoid dealing with his feelings or things he's unhappy about. It's not portrayed as a helpful or healthy way to process emotions, but what are the consequences for Jared and his friends? Does he learn more positive ways to deal with his emotions?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Contemporary Fiction
- Topics : Activism , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Empathy , Integrity
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Children's Books
- Publication date : March 4, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 224
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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