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nytephoenyx's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Clean Getaway is a short book. It’s a middle grade novel that, in audiobook format, runs for just about four hours. It astounds me that in such a short span, Nic Stone is able to explore such complicated relationships with so much meaning and depth. I shouldn’t be surprised – this is Nic Stone, an incredible author, who writes with so much heart and passion. Clean Getaway is an example of how you can have a middle grade book that is sad, meaningful, heartwarming, and educational. It’s phenomenal.
Scoob is fighting with his dad, so when his grandmother shows up in an RV, he doesn’t ask questions, he just climbs in and goes along with her. That fateful moment turns out to be the beginning of an adventure. Over the course of the novel, Scoob learns about his family, Black history in America, and begins to understand that the people he loves are far more deep and complex than he thought. Clean Getaway is an adventure in an RV with Scoob’s G’Ma, for sure, but more than that… it shows a transition from childhood innocence and to a broader, young adult view of the world.
Nic Stone is one of those authors who does a really good job balancing internal and external conflicts. Internally, Scoob struggles with the latest disagreement between him and his father, and trying to understand what he needs to do to be safe, and learning empathy for those who have had different life experiences than him. Externally, Scoob has the extreme challenge of being wingman to his grandmother, who does not always seem like herself. Both storylines are written incredibly well. It’s challenging in a middle grade book to see character growth without being too tacky and without sacrificing atmosphere. Nic Stone has achieved perfect balance, allowing Scoob to grow (even in just the span of a few days) while maintaining an immersive story.
This book is excellent for middle grade readers, particularly the more advanced ones. That said, I don’t think young adults or adults should bypass it. While the protagonist of the book is younger, the themes and story told are prevalent to any age. It’s an enjoyable read, and a quick one. This is one I can easily recommend and would purchase to put in my Little Free Library.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Kidnapping and Alcohol
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