CLEAN GETAWAY

Narrator Dion Graham's soft voice evokes the tenderness between biracial middle schooler "Scoob" Lamar and G'ma, his white octogenarian grandmother. There are many other moods in this audio as well, and Graham succeeds with all of them. There's surprise as Graham's squeaky-voiced G'ma carries him off on a road trip in a new Winnebago, then sadness when he learns she's sold her home to buy it. There's "mad in his belly" when Scoob thinks of his father's disapproval. Scoob is confused and concerned about the many mood shifts and concerning behaviors of his usually dependable G'ma. The mix of humor and emotions, powerful writing, and complex lessons about personal and political injustices are all marvelously expressed by Graham in this compelling listen. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2020]