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The Getaway

by Lamar Giles

In a not-too-distant future in which current societal and natural threats, from economic disparity and racism to climate change, are further heightened, Karloff Country is a Disneyesque resort in Virginia providing escape. Many Karloff Country employees, including teenage Jay and his family, are BIPOC. Jay (Black) takes pride in his work and is grateful for the economic and food security Karloff Country provides for his family; he dismisses his friend Zeke’s accusations of devious intentions by the billionaire owner. But when the global situation grows dire, it becomes clear that Karloff Country’s true purpose isn’t vacation destination; it’s safe haven when society unravels. Even worse, the company orchestrated events leading to sudden global crisis. Employees aren’t given the choice to stay or leave; they’re needed to serve the mostly white uber-wealthy Karloff Country “Trustees” who’ve flooded to the resort. As unreasonable demands and racist microaggressions escalate, employee behavior is controlled with painful punishments delivered via an un-detachable armband; then comes the sanctioned lynching. Jay’s girlfriend, Seychelle, biracial granddaughter of the Karloff founder, occupies an uncomfortable space, privileged and wealthy but regularly disparaged by her grandfather for her Blackness. Jay can’t believe she knew about the plan, and when he joins the underground activist group that is fighting back, he must decide if he can trust her. Most of this enthralling, unsettling, provocative story is from Jay’s perspective, his turmoil palpable as his worldview takes a 180-degree turn. ©2022 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

CCBC Age Recommendation: Age 14 and older
Age Range: Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Format: Novel
Subjects: Activism and Resistance African Americans Friendship Perspective/Point of View Racism Speculative Fiction Survival Trust Violence
Diversity subject: Black/African

Publishers: Scholastic, Scholastic Press
Publish Year: 2022
Pages: 382
ISBN: 9781338752014
CCBC Location: Fiction, Giles

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