Friday, March 6, 2020

CLEAN GETAWAY by Nic Stone

CLEAN GETAWAY is author Nic Stone's first middle grade novel. Her success started with DEAR MARTIN and continued with ODD ONE OUT and JACKPOT. No matter which of her books you pick up, you won't be disappointed.

William "Scoob" Lamar tries to make his dad proud, but it gets harder all the time. Being grounded during spring break vacation just about takes the cake, but then G'ma shows up. She's driving a Winnebago RV, and she's inviting Scoob to join her on an adventure. It seems like the perfect way to escape his current punishment so it doesn't take much convincing to get Scoob packed and on the road with G'ma.

There are some strange things that should have been clues that something isn't quite right with G'ma, but Scoob is enjoying the ride. He's learning about his grandfather who died in prison and about his grandparents' early relationship and their dreams for the future. He's also learning about how tough it was for a mixed race couple back in the day.

Despite stops at cool tourist attractions and G'ma's crazy antics, Scoob realizes that she is constantly avoiding phone calls from his father and insists that it's best if Scoob doesn't talk to him either. A mysterious treasure box and a pamphlet titled Travelers' Green Book seem to be guiding their strange journey prompting Scoob to wonder if he knows who G'ma really is.

Nic Stone takes middle grade readers on an adventure that reveals disturbing glimpses of racism and how even today in some places, a black person and white person seen together may raise unwarranted suspicions.

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