The Getaway
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Getaway is a dystopian science fiction thriller set in a near-future Virginia mountaintop amusement park, seemingly cut off from the rest of the world. Author Lamar Giles orchestrates a suspenseful chiller that questions the morality of capitalism. The story is narrated from the alternating perspectives of Jay and his three friends, who are all seniors at Karloff Academy -- including Connie, who goes missing along with her family. There's infrequent swearing ("hell" and "damn"), a few instances of under-age drinking, and some very violent scenes, including electrocutions, shootings, and lynchings on a water slide.
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What's the Story?
As THE GETAWAY opens, Jay is living well in Karloff Country, a world-famous resort loved by millions. While things are great for the residents, there are hints that all is not well outside the walls. Jay's friend Connie and her family disappear one night. Super-rich Trustees start moving in, and they expect constant attention. Life in Karloff Country becomes increasingly sinister, to the point where residents are fitted with bracelets that deliver powerful electroshocks. With the help of his friend Zeke and Seychelle, a Karloff heiress, Jay plots an escape.
Is It Any Good?
Everyone loves an amusement park, but this creepy thriller shows the dark side of "the funnest place around." Author Lamar Giles devises a horrific plot for The Getaway, in which the employees of the Karloff Country resort are not allowed to leave after some sort of disaster happens outside its walls. The Residents are required to satisfy the whims of the Trustees, which grow more sinister as the lock-down continues. Giles depicts an absurd situation that grows ever more horrific and twisty. Mystery and horror fans will appreciate the satirical underpinnings of this intense thriller.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Getaway depicts authoritarianism and fascism. Why do citizens say they want strong leaders?
How do corporations inspire loyalty among their customers? Do they always have their customers' best interests in mind?
What might happen if the government put walls around your city? Would you feel safer?
Book Details
- Author: Lamar Giles
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Adventures, Great Boy Role Models, High School
- Character Strengths: Courage, Perseverance, Teamwork
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Scholastic Press
- Publication date: September 20, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 16
- Number of pages: 400
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks
- Last updated: October 21, 2022
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