mb_booklady's review against another edition
4.0
After two questionable choices he made at school, William's spring break trip with his dad is canceled and he is put on lockdown. When his grandmother, G'ma, invites him on a road trip in her brand spanking new RV, he eagerly goes along.
G'ma and William (nicknamed Scoob) leave Atlanta and travel west. Scoob doesn't worry about where they are going as he is just happy to go somewhere away from his dad. As they travel through Alabama, G'ma begins to tell Scoob about the last time she made this trip. As a white woman married to a black man in the 1960's, they had to use The Green Book to determine places they could safely stay. The author manages to tuck snippets of history into the memories G'ma shares with Scoob.
As the days and miles pass, Scoob realizes something is wrong with G'ma. He also begins to miss his father who is not in contact with them for much of the time. The trip comes to an eventful end in Texas.
As Scoob, his dad, and G'ma are reunited, they have to adjust to the fact that they didn't know everything about the people in their lives.
Overall, it was a good book. Short chapters and travel through the states make it seem like a short read and will hold readers' attention.
G'ma and William (nicknamed Scoob) leave Atlanta and travel west. Scoob doesn't worry about where they are going as he is just happy to go somewhere away from his dad. As they travel through Alabama, G'ma begins to tell Scoob about the last time she made this trip. As a white woman married to a black man in the 1960's, they had to use The Green Book to determine places they could safely stay. The author manages to tuck snippets of history into the memories G'ma shares with Scoob.
As the days and miles pass, Scoob realizes something is wrong with G'ma. He also begins to miss his father who is not in contact with them for much of the time. The trip comes to an eventful end in Texas.
As Scoob, his dad, and G'ma are reunited, they have to adjust to the fact that they didn't know everything about the people in their lives.
Overall, it was a good book. Short chapters and travel through the states make it seem like a short read and will hold readers' attention.
wombat_88's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
annakim's review against another edition
2.0
I thought this was pretty predictable with a rushed ending. The characters were caricatures, rather than fully fleshed out and the story felt haphazard.
theladydoor's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a lot more intense than I was expecting, but that's a good thing! The premise seemed kind of fun and goofy to me, so when Stone started exploring G'ma's past and the prejudice she and her husband faced, it really surprised me.
becandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Trigger warnings:
This is a gorgeous middle-grade book that is absolutely perfect for the intended audience. Following the road trip of a young boy and his g’ma, the story is fun and kooky. But that doesn’t take away from the really important discussions throughout the story.
From discussions about generational differences within a family to living with racial discrimination throughout different eras – the story is important and hard-hitting without being too much for a younger audience.
Even as an older reader, I really enjoyed this story. Incredibly well-crafted and relevant.
Graham’s narration is ridiculously enjoyable. He carries the humour throughout the story really well. This isn’t the first Nic Stone book that he has narrated (he also does Odd One Out) and there is a reason why he has narrated so many other books that have either won or been nominated for audiobook awards.
He’s just really good at what he does.
Thank you to Libro.FM and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the audiobook. This does not impact my opinions, whatsoever.
Spoiler
racism and discrimination, cancerThis is a gorgeous middle-grade book that is absolutely perfect for the intended audience. Following the road trip of a young boy and his g’ma, the story is fun and kooky. But that doesn’t take away from the really important discussions throughout the story.
From discussions about generational differences within a family to living with racial discrimination throughout different eras – the story is important and hard-hitting without being too much for a younger audience.
Even as an older reader, I really enjoyed this story. Incredibly well-crafted and relevant.
Graham’s narration is ridiculously enjoyable. He carries the humour throughout the story really well. This isn’t the first Nic Stone book that he has narrated (he also does Odd One Out) and there is a reason why he has narrated so many other books that have either won or been nominated for audiobook awards.
He’s just really good at what he does.
Thank you to Libro.FM and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the audiobook. This does not impact my opinions, whatsoever.
friss_zucker's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
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
5.0
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
I received this as an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Scoob and his grandma take an unannounced road trip. While Scoob is trying to get away from his father's oppressive rules, his grandma has sold her house and bought a Winnebago. She plans to travel across the south to relive the road trip she was supposed to take with Scoob's grandfather. However, the south was a difficult place for a black man and white woman traveling together, though Scoob (who appears black) and his white grandma are finding that maybe things haven't really changed so much at all.
Stone is a solid writer and this book is no different. She is appealing to the younger readers, about socially relevant issues. Her narrative is appropriate for the age group and represents their tone of voice.
Scoob and his grandma take an unannounced road trip. While Scoob is trying to get away from his father's oppressive rules, his grandma has sold her house and bought a Winnebago. She plans to travel across the south to relive the road trip she was supposed to take with Scoob's grandfather. However, the south was a difficult place for a black man and white woman traveling together, though Scoob (who appears black) and his white grandma are finding that maybe things haven't really changed so much at all.
Stone is a solid writer and this book is no different. She is appealing to the younger readers, about socially relevant issues. Her narrative is appropriate for the age group and represents their tone of voice.
amysutton's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, this was a good book that felt mysterious with great historical/Civil Rights connections.
Plus Side
- I love the integration of Civil Rights monuments and sites. Gma takes Scoob on a roadtrip to all of the places she and her husband (who was black) stopped during their roadtrip in the 60s. The history tidbits were really well done!
- The incorporation of the Green Book was also a really intriguing part of history
- Scoob and Gma's relationship is so tender and sweet. Scoob swings from being grandson to caretaker as Gma's lucidity fluctuates.
- There are some Big Feelings discussed and processed including having resentment towards parents and seeing your elders complexly as not fully perfect or fully criminal
Down Side
- The reveal at the end felt strange. I didn't like the direction the story took as Gma made her final confessions. I don't know why but it felt strange and unfinished, like maybe the topic was too complex for the way it was presented.
- The ending seems to condone criminal activity? Maybe I'm misinterpreting.
- The roadtrip premise made this feel kind of rushed at times. I would have liked fewer stopping points with a deeper history discussion.
Plus Side
- I love the integration of Civil Rights monuments and sites. Gma takes Scoob on a roadtrip to all of the places she and her husband (who was black) stopped during their roadtrip in the 60s. The history tidbits were really well done!
- The incorporation of the Green Book was also a really intriguing part of history
- Scoob and Gma's relationship is so tender and sweet. Scoob swings from being grandson to caretaker as Gma's lucidity fluctuates.
- There are some Big Feelings discussed and processed including having resentment towards parents and seeing your elders complexly as not fully perfect or fully criminal
Down Side
- The reveal at the end felt strange. I didn't like the direction the story took as Gma made her final confessions. I don't know why but it felt strange and unfinished, like maybe the topic was too complex for the way it was presented.
- The ending seems to condone criminal activity? Maybe I'm misinterpreting.
- The roadtrip premise made this feel kind of rushed at times. I would have liked fewer stopping points with a deeper history discussion.
mnangle4's review against another edition
5.0
While not a top favorite of mine, this book does everything it sets out to do and more. The story was riveting, Scoob was loveably and relatable and complex in all the right ways. I really, really enjoyed this read.