Ghost Boys
Jewell Parker Rhodes
Subjects
- Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
A New York Times Bestseller This was one of my most anticipated 2018 books and I was not disappointed. A must read."" -Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give 'tender, timely ... surprising and hopeful' - Observer A heartbreaking and powerful story about a black boy killed by a white police officer, drawing connections with real-life, from award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes. ALIVE Twelve-year-old Jerome doesn't get into trouble. He goes to school. He does his homework. He takes care of his little sister. Then Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. DEAD As a ghost, watching his family trying to cope with his death, Jerome begins to notice other ghost boys. Each boy has a story and they all have something in common... Bit by bit, Jerome begins to understand what really happened - not just to him, but to all of the ghost boys. A poignant and gripping story about how children and families face the complexities of race and racism in today's world.
Reviews
Thought provoking and age appropriate. Short chapters make for easier reading and discussion. Suitable from Y5/Y6 upwards. Read with Y7s as an immersive and very good for highlighting prejudice, racism, violence, and stereotypes.
h.lightfoot
A powerful insight into the eyes of a young black boy and the impact of his death on those around him. Also giving voice to the youth of today. This book actually had me in tears.
nikoletty
A thought provoking book. This would be a great book to use in Year 6 to stimulate discussion around racism and prejudice .
KShaer
Thought provoking and handled well for the target-audience. I understand why this is read in school and I am glad I read it
D0h3rty!
I loved the complexity of the narrator and non linear timelines. A very important read that addresses difficult themes in an accessible way.
Lbullingham
What an amazing book!! It is told by the ghost of a black boy shot by a white policeman. Whilst in this limbo he can communicate with other black people killed by white people. He can also communicate with the daughter of his killer. The first murder case mentioned did happen. Recommended!
HDB
A hard-hitting yet accessible and age-appropriate book for Year 7 on a really emotive subject - racist attitudes and police killings of black boys in America - the 'ghost boys' of the title. Has a hopeful ending with the message that people can change.
MrsMMM
A very thought provoking book. I liked how the chapters alternated between alive and dead.
Tallonst
Fantastic book that gives the reader an insight into the struggles people can face because of the colour of their skin. The story reflect how there is not always justice in the word, however as a society we can change the way we act towards others and fight for what is right.
DebbieB1083
This story was so moving, right from the begining as Jerome coped with the bullies in his neighbourhood and school, keeping his problems from his family. The sad and preventable circumstances in which he was shot thus becoming a ghost boy. The perspective of the daughter of the police man who had shot him was an interesting addition. I hugely recommend this book.
CB17
A short but devastating story, written in alternate 'dead' and 'alive' sections from the point of view of Jerome, a 12 year black Chicagan shot in the back by a white police officer. This is a brilliant work of fiction which beautifully weaves in the all too real and awful story of 14 year old Emmet Till, killed by a racist lynchmob in Mississippi in August 1955. Read it. Read it with your children and students. Recommend it to everyone you can. Make it part of your ongoing conversation about racism.
Jane Branson
Excellent take on a sadly current topic. Great book.
Esths
Books are often called important. But this one genuinely feels like it deserves the word. Really heavy, relevant topics are dealt with in such powerful, moving ways that they break your heart and make you see how very real they are for so many. Jerome could be the boy who lives down the road from you and what happens to him is both shocking and so achingly unfair. But the book isn’t angry, it makes you pause and see the world, not only as a hopeful 12 year old who is bullied but loves his family sees it, but also as the ghost boy he becomes, one who can still help to change the world by helping others. It is powerful and empathetic and introduces themes such as racism, diversity and death, as well as important historical figures in a way that is suitable for lower secondary students.
kku
A beautifully written story that gets to the heart of a deep rooted issue from the viewpoint of a young boy. The relationship between Jerome and Sarah, and the subtle yet poignant reality of how different their lives are, is embedded into the narrative. A brilliant book to begin conversations about the subconscious bias that exists and the damage it causes.
NicolaWilson
A very powerful read about a black boy shot by a white police officer. Heartbreaking story of many real life stories of young black men killed by white people for no reason at all. Would be an excellent book to read with upper KS2 classes and will bring lots of discussion points about racism, white privilege and being people to make a difference.
Erinshinereads
An interesting book, with factual information easily digested by a young/reluctant reader. Although there were facts relating to a crime commited many years ago the relevance in todays society is powerful.
KellyAd
Was interested in the book as a potential class reader. Some aspects were interesting and current, however I feel it just missed the mark to engage a pupil cohort. Will ask some of my pupil librarians to give it a go.
MoorsideLRC
This is a thought-provoking and emotional story of racism and how people's perceptions can destroy the lives of others. I would recommend this book to young people (aged 11+) but I feel the story and the messages within it would be so much more powerful with the input and discussion of an adult. I liked the dual narrative aspect of the story as the it was told from Jerome's point of view both alive and as a ghost. A powerful read.
Dennisc