Reviews

William "Scoob" Lamar is surprised when his G'ma shows up at his house in an RV to take him on a road trip. Scoob is packed and ready to go...albeit for a different trip (his dad has forbidden him from going on his spring break trip after Scoob was suspended from school). Together, Scoob and his G'ma travel from Georgia to Texas. Along the way, Scoob learns more about his G'ma and deceased G'pop, as well as history of segregation in the southern US states. But some of the things Scoob learns shock and surprise him, and he learns that he really wants to feel safe with his Dad.

I though Scoob was a great character, and it was interesting seeing his reactions to his G'ma's whims. While it was a good introduction to interracial marriage during the time of segregation...I felt that there were a lot of major plot points that were not resolved that needed more time to fully develop.

mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition

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4.0

Clean Getaway is proof that giving up on an author after one book is foolish. I hated Fast Pitch and couldn't understand why everyone raved about Nic Stone after reading it. But, Clean Getaway was something special. Clean Getaway was worth all the hype.

On an ill-fated journey to right a past wrong of his Grandmother's, Scoob suddenly is faced with the sordid history of this country. There still is racism (Scoob is aware of this already) but the focus in this book is on the sheer magnitude to the mistreatment: how deeply unfair and irrational racism could be and the side effects you don't often think about. Like say, a family casually torn apart by antiquated rules designed to enforce allegiance to an ignorant, irrational supremacist movement (i.e. Scoob's family if you couldn't guess) The impact of what was done fifty or so years ago has implications in the present day that neither the enforcers or victims could not have predicted. It's quite fascinating to think about until you remember that real people are still paying the bill for it amongst us now.

That out of the way, I came to very deeply dislike Scoob’s grandmother. I give her some grace because she was young and I she did generally stand by her man, but any person who could

Spoiler

let her son despise his father who was in jail partially due to her actions all to make sure he always loved her

is not a good person and is very sketchy in terms of motherhood.

Spoiler

Plus she dies without facing any fallout for it.

. The mental anguish that Scoob’s father went through regarding his father is literally a direct cause of his mother lying to him his whole life. I can't fathom doing that to your own son to preserve your self image.

To me it was emblematic of how often white women will enter into relationships with Black men without considering the practical reality of it and then the harm that they unintentionally cause in doing so because they are naturally afforded room to be naive. I do have respect for G’ma ror being legitimately invested in her husband even when things got tough. They were committing a crime just for existing in a normal relationship. Their lives were at risk everyday and she didn't run. That's not a small thing.

My issue is that she cut off a significant cultural tie to preserve her white feelings - and isn't that always what it comes back to? White feelings over what’s right. Scoob can forgive, or course, but I felt unbelievably sad for his father who didn't even get the full story.

Spoiler

Scoob never shares what G’ma told him and there's no hint he will so I guess that's one trauma his dad just has to live with. Plus it's wild that another person he trusts is about to keep a lifelong secret from him ‘for his own good’ or whatever.

It's a good book. I had fun. Do not read Fast Pitch though. It's a major comedown.

amieeaya's review against another edition

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4.0

The writing is bulkier than I want and the story is rather one dimensional, but overall I liked the story and the characters. I like historical fiction books that blend a present mystery with clues rooted in the past, often history that has been glazed over. It makes the unfolding more real for kids uncovering injustices in our past for the first time.

bibliobrandie's review against another edition

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3.0

Another book set in an RV! This one is about a boy and his grandma, and I love that because I can’t think of many books about a boy and grandma duo. There is a lot to love in this book, that relationship, the road trip, all the historical elements that are introduced. But there is this second story line that I didn’t love.

larryanton22's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

roseleaf24's review against another edition

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4.0

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun road trip, a historical journey of the South during the difficult times of the Civil Rights movement, a clear insight into the additional struggles of a biracial couple in this time, and the continuing racial issues alive in this country. I loved the story and whizzed through it. 5 starts based on quality of writing and worthiness of book. I would not be surprised or disappointed to see this pop up on awards lists in the coming year. 4 stars, though, because I had a hard time with the characters of the grandmother. Not quite enough reconciliation to cover it all. As a child reader, the general unease I felt might have been more wholly enjoyable.

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