Safe Passage
“Once you go out that door, ain’t no safe side, only South Side.”
Fifteen-year-old Darius is living in the South Side of Chicago with his stepdad, little sister Cissy, and memories of his mother who passed away in an act of violence. The event left him with a consistent physical injury to his leg and real, lasting trauma in his mind. He’s tired of living in constant anxiety. It’s a dreary existence, but an opportunity for change presents itself in the form of a crashed Brinks armored car. It’s supposedly blowing money all across the highway – all Darius needs to do is get there, seize the treasure, and be on his way. But no quest is without its trials. First of all, Darius and his crew step out of the bounds of their neighborhood’s neutral zone, which means their safety can’t be guaranteed. To make matters worse, Darius’ best friend, Booger, documents their adventure on social media and word gets out about the truck, the cash, and the trio. They soon become the biggest targets for all of the dangers the South Side can sic at them. Will they make it home or fall victim to the gang violence that pollutes the streets of Chi-Town? What would you do for a life-changing amount of money?
Just as engaging as the story itself, Safe Passage offers a little insight into an unknown (to me) topic: how gang violence and crime in the South Side of Chicago became so prevalent. The title comes from a program that Chicago Public Schools implemented to better ensure the safety of the children who walked to school, the Safe Passage Program, which is still in use today. It consists of concerned community members stationed at certain posts throughout the neighborhood so they can monitor the children walking to school and easily get in touch with emergency services if needed. Although Darius only lives ten blocks from his school, he has to cross through four different gang territories to get there.
The illustrations are done in a painterly monochrome—an interesting juxtaposition against the colorful cast. The flashbacks, all except one, are less rendered than the current timeline, evoking memories that are perhaps a bit frayed at the edges. The book is relatively short, but with very dense exposition and was not a quick read for me, although you won’t hear me complaining—it was interesting and worth the time it took.
Safe Passage is a fascinating read, however I would not recommend this title for readers who are in the young teen category or younger (15 years and below). The depiction of violence and poverty is not gory or graphic, but it is constant and honest. And we can’t forget that this story, although fictional, is rooted in very real human history. Darius and his family don’t exist, but there are many like them and they have gone through similar scenarios. These kids journey through gang territory, trap houses, abduction, unfamiliar settings, and the trauma that comes with such experiences.
The story almost feels like a fantasy in its structure: there are 6 rules that must be obeyed, evoking imagery of old fae and mythic spells; there is a quest with trials and tribulations; there is a heroic trio made up of ordinary scamps who risk their lives for glory. But there is no magic here. Darius’ stepdad does what he can to get working again, the family is facing eviction, and Darius makes certain choices about who he considers his friends and how he spends his time. The reality of life in the South Side makes hope fleeting, but perhaps all the more significant for its rarity.
It should be noted that Safe Passage is a companion piece to G. Neri’s Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty, and that title should be considered if you are thinking of purchasing this one.
Safe Passage
By G. Neri
Art by David Brame
Lee and Low Books, 2024
ISBN: 9781643790343
Publisher Age Rating: 13-17
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18)
Creator Representation: African-American,
Character Representation: African-American,
