2022 Common Reader

Sigma Tau Delta is excited to announce that our 2022 Common Reader is Nic Stone‘s Dear Martin.

In her 2018 debut novel Dear Martin, Atlanta native Nic Stone relates the story of high school senior Justyce McAllister, an honors student at a private, suburban school where, for many reasons, he’s in the minority. He’s on the debate team, is in the top 5% of his class, and is headed to an Ivy League school with aspirations of a career in public policy, but a wrongful arrest prompts Justyce to ask difficult questions and to begin writing letters in his journal to Martin Luther King looking for answers. In these letters, Justyce reveals the challenges of adolescence complicated by ingrained stereotypes and deep-seated racial tensions. This timely story offers a meaningful contribution to our conversations about race relations in America.

Please join us in reading this powerful work this year. Chapters are encouraged to apply for Regents’ Common Reader Awards, which provide an opportunity for individual chapters to organize and host a local event or activity based on the common reader. Chapter members do not need to attend the convention to apply. Contact your Regent and you may receive $100 for your event or activity. We also encourage convention paper and roundtable submissions on the Common Reader. Convention papers on the Common Reader are also eligible for Common Reader Convention Awards.

After reading Dear Martin, plan to attend the 2022 Convention where Nic Stone will be one of our two Featured Speakers. Sigma Tau Delta will hold its annual international convention March 30 – April 2, 2022 at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel in Atlanta, GA. The convention is a truly wonderful event that allows hundreds of Sigma Tau Deltans from around the globe to gather in one locale, share experiences and ideas, be recognized for their achievements, and participate in the official side of the Society. At the convention, opportunities abound to meet face to face with other students, faculty, and respected authors, make new friends, discuss the disciplines of the English language and literature, and enjoy the offerings of the convention’s location. Learn more about the 2022 Convention, its theme, and our two Featured Speakers.