Clean Getaway

An 11-year-old boy named William "Scoob" Lamar sets off on an impromptu road trip across the American South with his white grandmother, G'ma, in her new Winnebago. They follow a route mapped out in an old travel guide called The Green Book, which G'ma and her late husband used decades ago. During their journey, Scoob learns about the realities of traveling while Black in the 1960s and discovers previously unknown pieces of his family history. The road trip takes unexpected turns as G'ma shares stories from her past and Scoob begins to notice his grandmother acting strangely. The story explores themes of family secrets, racial identity, and the evolution of civil rights in America through both past and present perspectives. Through Scoob's observations and experiences, the narrative connects historical events to contemporary discussions about race, justice, and understanding across generations.

Readers say this middle-grade road trip story handles complex topics about race, family, and American history in an age-appropriate way. Parents report their 8-12 year old children stayed engaged with the story. Readers liked: - Integration of historical facts with modern storytelling - Discussion prompts for families about racism and civil rights - Humorous moments between grandson and grandmother - Maps and geography elements that make the journey interactive Readers disliked: - Some found the grandmother's actions unrealistic or concerning - A few felt the historical elements overshadowed the main plot - Parents of younger readers noted some content required additional context Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,100+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 One teacher noted: "Perfect for opening discussions about privilege and discrimination with middle schoolers." Several parents mentioned using the book for family read-alouds, with one stating "It sparked important conversations with my 10-year-old."

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🚗 Author Nic Stone's inspiration for Clean Getaway came from her own family's road trips and her desire to teach her children about the Green Book, a guide that helped African American travelers find safe accommodations during segregation. 📚 The main character's name, William "Scoob" Lamar, was inspired by Scooby-Doo because both characters embark on mystery-solving adventures. 🗺️ The road trip in Clean Getaway follows actual historical routes through the American South that were commonly used by Black travelers during the Jim Crow era. 🌟 The book was released in January 2020 and marked Nic Stone's first middle-grade novel, after previously writing young adult books including the bestseller Dear Martin. 📖 Many of the historic locations mentioned in the book, such as the Lorraine Motel in Memphis (where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated), still exist and can be visited today.