Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

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Description

The young adult adaptation of the acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestseller Just Mercy--now a major motion picture starring Michael B. Jordan, Jaime Foxx, and Brie Larson and the subject of an HBO documentary feature!In this very personal work--adapted from the original #1 bestseller, which the New York Times calls "as compelling as To Kill a Mockingbird, and in some ways more so"--acclaimed lawyer and social justice advocate Bryan Stevenson offers a glimpse into the lives of the wrongfully imprisoned and his efforts to fight for their freedom.Stevenson's story is one of working to protect basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society--the poor, the wrongly convicted, and those whose lives have been marked by discrimination and marginalization. Through this adaptation, young people of today will find themselves called to action and compassion in the pursuit of justice. A portion of the proceeds of this book will go to charity to help in Stevenson's important work to benefit the voiceless and the vulnerable as they attempt to navigate the broken U.S. justice system.A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEARA BOOKLIST EDITORS' CHOICEFEATURED ON CBS THIS MORNINGA NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEARPRAISE FOR JUST MERCY: A TRUE STORY OF THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE:"It's really exciting that young people are getting a version tailored for them." --Salon"A deeply moving collage of true stories. . . . This is required reading." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review"Compassionate and compelling, Stevenson's narrative is also unforgettable." --Booklist, starred reviewPRAISE FOR JUST MERCY: A STORY OF JUSTICE AND REDEMPTION:"Gripping. . . . What hangs in the balance is nothing less than the soul of a great nation." --DESMOND TUTU, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate"Important and compelling." --Pulitzer Prize-winning author TRACY KIDDER"Inspiring and powerful." --#1 New York Times bestselling author JOHN GRISHAM

More Details

Format
eBook
Street Date
10/21/2014
Language
English
ISBN
9780812994537

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Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These books have the genres "crime and law -- general" and "narrative nonfiction for kids and teens"; and the subjects "social advocates" and "social justice."
These books have the appeal factors persuasive, scholarly, and issue-oriented, and they have the genres "antiracist literature" and "social issues -- human rights -- race and ethnicity"; and the subjects "criminal justice system," "social advocates," and "racism in the criminal justice system."
Though Just Mercy is a memoir and Accused is a history book, each thought-provoking book details now infamous legal cases in which innocent people were charged with crimes they didn't commit due to systemic racism. -- Lindsey Dunn
These books have the appeal factors persuasive, and they have the genres "antiracist literature" and "social issues -- human rights -- race and ethnicity"; and the subjects "equality before the law," "african american civil rights," and "racism."
These books have the appeal factors serious and issue-oriented, and they have the genres "crime and law -- general" and "narrative nonfiction for kids and teens"; and the subjects "lawyers" and "racism in the criminal justice system."
Although Mercy is narrative nonfiction and America is a mystery novel, both impassioned books deal with wrongfully imprisoned African Americans and will appeal to socially conscious teens interested in America's criminal justice system. -- NoveList Contributor
These books have the appeal factors serious and issue-oriented, and they have the genres "crime and law -- general" and "social issues -- violence and crime."
These books have the appeal factors issue-oriented, and they have the genre "narrative nonfiction for kids and teens"; and the subjects "social reformers," "social advocates," and "racism in the criminal justice system."
Both detailed and persuasive books shed light on the inherent racism in U.S. society using plentiful examples. Just Mercy is Bryan Stevenson's memoir of legally representing marginalized people in Alabama; the more scholarly Racial Profiling uses a wider scope of examples throughout history. -- Lindsey Dunn
These books have the appeal factors issue-oriented, and they have the genres "narrative nonfiction for kids and teens" and "antiracist literature"; and the subjects "justice," "african american civil rights," and "racism."
These compelling issue-oriented books for young people focus on issues of race in America. Just Mercy centers on racial bias in Alabama's criminal justice system. Caste takes a broader look at culture, customs, ethnicity, and social status in America. -- Alicia Cavitt

Published Reviews

Booklist Review

*Starred Review* Stevenson brought the topic of mass incarceration to the forefront in his critically acclaimed, Carnegie Award-winning Just Mercy (2014). In this adaptation for young people, Stevenson once again describes the difficult work he's faced as a lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, based in Mobile, Alabama. As he focuses on the case of Walter McMillian, a poor African American man wrongfully convicted of capital murder, he brings to light alarming racial and socioeconomic disparities in the criminal-justice system, particularly the overwhelming number of poor and black prisoners without adequate legal representation and on death row. The author also weaves in stories of mistreated prisoners with mental illness, female prisoners abused by male guards, and other atrocities. The stories that will resonate most with adolescent readers, however, are those of teens, even as young as 13 and 14, sentenced to life in prison in adult facilities. While calling out needs for prison reform, Stevenson asks readers to consider a just mercy for the prisoners mentioned in the book and those like them. A just mercy would see prisoners as human beings, taking into consideration their often trauma-filled backgrounds, realistic sentences for young teens, and rehabilitative services upon release, among other changes. Classrooms and book groups will find plenty to discuss and debate. Compassionate and compelling, Stevenson's narrative is also unforgettable.--Angela Leeper Copyright 2018 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
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School Library Journal Review

Gr 7 Up-Adapted from the author's acclaimed book for adults, this title offers students awareness of and insights into the prosecution, conviction, and imprisonment practices of our federal and state governments over the last many decades. The author founded, and continues to work as a lawyer for, the Equal Justice Initiative which is located in Alabama but works across the United States to redress many injustices against people and youth of color who were tried for crimes they may not have committed. A sort of memoir, Stevenson follows a few specific cases while providing an overview of the big picture of how the judicial system has ignored basic civil rights when the accused are people of color and/or are poor. Readers will have their eyes opened to real cases and can then decide for themselves their opinion of the justice system. While some of the stories are upsetting, there is no overt violence included. VERDICT Every high school should purchase the book; many middle schools will also want it.-Dorcas Hand, formerly at Annunciation Orthodox School, Houston © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Horn Book Review

In this adaptation of his popular adult title, Stevenson chronicles his early career as a lawyer fighting for prisoner rights in the South. While the moving story of a man's fight against an unjustified death sentence focuses this informative book, interspersed vignettes of Stevenson's work with teens facing life sentences are equally powerful. This engaging, eye-opening read is likely to inspire further education and activism. Ind. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Kirkus Book Review

"Each of us is more than the worst thing we've ever done," proclaims Stevenson's adaptation for younger audiences of his 2014 New York Times bestseller, a deeply moving collage of true stories dedicated to transforming the U.S. criminal justice system. The story begins in 1983, when 23-year-old Stevenson, a Harvard Law intern, found the moral resolve to join the pro bono defense team of a capital punishment case in Georgia. Throughout his journey, he highlights numerous cases that demonstrate unfair policies and practices throughout our criminal justice system. These examples form an incisive critique of mass incarceration resulting from state and federal policy changes in the late 20th century. He continues to lead the Alabama-headquartered Equal Justice Initiative, whose mission it is to protect basic human rights for the most vulnerable. Stevenson argues that, "The true measure of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned." These important stories put a human face on statistics and trends and give us tested strategies to reverse the oppressive consequences of racial and economic injustice in our country. This inspiring book will ignite compassion in young readers and show connections between the history of slavery, Reconstruction, and the present day.This is required reading, embracing the ideals that "we all need mercy, we all need justice, andperhapswe all need some measure of unmerited grace." (notes, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
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Booklist Reviews

*Starred Review* Stevenson brought the topic of mass incarceration to the forefront in his critically acclaimed, Carnegie Award–winning Just Mercy? (2014). In this adaptation for young people, Stevenson once again describes the difficult work he's faced as a lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, based in Mobile, Alabama. As he focuses on the case of Walter McMillian, a poor African American man wrongfully convicted of capital murder, he brings to light alarming racial and socioeconomic disparities in the criminal-justice system, particularly the overwhelming number of poor and black prisoners without adequate legal representation and on death row. The author also weaves in stories of mistreated prisoners with mental illness, female prisoners abused by male guards, and other atrocities. The stories that will resonate most with adolescent readers, however, are those of teens, even as young as 13 and 14, sentenced to life in prison in adult facilities. While calling out needs for prison reform, Stevenson asks readers to consider a just mercy for the prisoners mentioned in the book and those like them. A just mercy would see prisoners as human beings, taking into consideration their often trauma-filled backgrounds, realistic sentences for young teens, and rehabilitative services upon release, among other changes. Classrooms and book groups will find plenty to discuss and debate. Compassionate and compelling, Stevenson's narrative is also unforgettable. Grades 9-12. Copyright 2018 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2018 Booklist Reviews.
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School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 7 Up—Adapted from the author's acclaimed book for adults, this title offers students awareness of and insights into the prosecution, conviction, and imprisonment practices of our federal and state governments over the last many decades. The author founded, and continues to work as a lawyer for, the Equal Justice Initiative which is located in Alabama but works across the United States to redress many injustices against people and youth of color who were tried for crimes they may not have committed. A sort of memoir, Stevenson follows a few specific cases while providing an overview of the big picture of how the judicial system has ignored basic civil rights when the accused are people of color and/or are poor. Readers will have their eyes opened to real cases and can then decide for themselves their opinion of the justice system. While some of the stories are upsetting, there is no overt violence included. VERDICT Every high school should purchase the book; many middle schools will also want it.—Dorcas Hand, formerly at Annunciation Orthodox School, Houston

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal.

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal.
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Citations

APA Citation, 7th Edition (style guide)

Stevenson, B. (2014). Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption . Random House Publishing Group.

Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)

Stevenson, Bryan. 2014. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. Random House Publishing Group.

Chicago / Turabian - Humanities (Notes and Bibliography) Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)

Stevenson, Bryan. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption Random House Publishing Group, 2014.

Harvard Citation (style guide)

Stevenson, B. (2014). Just mercy: a story of justice and redemption. Random House Publishing Group.

MLA Citation, 9th Edition (style guide)

Stevenson, Bryan. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption Random House Publishing Group, 2014.

Note! Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy. Citation formats are based on standards as of August 2021.

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