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Jewell Parker Rhodes

Ghost Boys Hardcover – April 17, 2018

by Jewell Parker Rhodes (Author)

2,572 ratings

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A heartbreaking and powerful story about a black boy killed by a police officer, drawing connections through history, from award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes.

Only the living can make the world better. Live and make it better.

Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. As a ghost, he observes the devastation that's been unleashed on his family and community in the wake of what they see as an unjust and brutal killing.

Soon Jerome meets another ghost: Emmett Till, a boy from a very different time but similar circumstances. Emmett helps Jerome process what has happened, on a journey towards recognizing how historical racism may have led to the events that ended his life. Jerome also meets Sarah, the daughter of the police officer, who grapples with her father's actions.

Once again Jewell Parker Rhodes deftly weaves historical and socio-political layers into a gripping and poignant story about how children and families face the complexities of today's world, and how one boy grows to understand American blackness in the aftermath of his own death.

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From the Publisher

Wisdom from Ghost Boys

From School Library Journal

Gr 4–8—The Towers Falling author once again tackles a timely yet difficult subject. In Chicago, 12-year-old black youth Jerome is shot and killed by a white police officer who mistakes a toy gun for a real one. As a ghost, Jerome witnesses the aftermath gripping both his family and that of the police officers. Jerome also meets another ghost—that of Emmett Till, a black boy murdered in 1955. Through Till's story, he learns of the hundreds of other "ghost boys" left to roam and stop history from continually repeating itself. The only person who can see Jerome is the daughter of the white police officer, Sarah, and through her eyes, he realizes that his family isn't the only one affected by the tragedy. Two families are destroyed with one split decision, and Sarah and Jerome together try to heal both of their families, along with Jerome's friend Carlos. It was Carlos' toy gun that Jerome was playing with, leaving Carlos with great guilt and the intense desire to protect Jerome's little sister, Kim, from bullies and other sorrows. Deftly woven and poignantly told, this a story about society, biases both conscious and unconscious, and trying to right the wrongs of the world. VERDICT Rhodes captures the all-too-real pain of racial injustice and provides an important window for readers who are just beginning to explore the ideas of privilege and implicit bias.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

Review

Praise for Ghost Boys:

A New York Times Bestseller

An IndieBound Bestseller

The #1 Kids' Indies Next Pick

A 2018 Nerdies List Book

An ALA 2019 Children's Notables List Pick

"This was one of my most anticipated 2018 books and I was not disappointed. A must read."―Angie Thomas, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give

* "Rhodes captures the all-too-real pain of racial injustice and provides an important window for readers who are just beginning to explore the ideas of privilege and implicit bias."

―School Library Journal, starred review

* "An excellent novel that delves into the timely topic of racism... with the question of whether or not we really have come far when dealing with race relations."―School Library Connection, starred review

"In writing that's spare and powerful, Rhodes takes us into the hearts and minds of those who are left behind, and then out into a vast and luminous world where ghost boys wander among the living, pursuing their mysterious mission. Rhodes has achieved something remarkable here: a kid's-eye-view of violence and racism that balances innocence and outrage, wrenching loss and hard-won hope."―Chicago Tribune

"A timely, challenging book that's worthy of a read, further discussion, and action."―Kirkus Reviews

"[A] potent story that deserves to be read."―VOYA

"Ghost Boys is powerful in prose, and so important at this time. I hope parents will read this book to their children."―The Monitor

"Written beautifully...an important novel."―WCMU Public Radio

"Unblinkingly confronts challenging perspectives and the mutability of truth."―Shelf Awareness

Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (April 17, 2018)
Language: : English
Hardcover : 224 pages
ISBN-10 : 0316262285
ISBN-13 : 978-0316262286
Reading age : 10 years and up
Lexile measure : HL360L
Grade level : 5 and up
Item Weight : 9.6 ounces
Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.88 x 7.88 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #16,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #13 in Children's Violence Books (Books)
- #46 in Children's 1900s American Historical Fiction
- #73 in Children's Prejudice & Racism Books

Customer Reviews:
2,572 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		87%
4 star		9%
3 star		2%
2 star		1%
1 star		2%

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Top reviews from the United States

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ebostedt

Disturbing and NOT in a good way.

Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2019

Verified Purchase

This story will leave the child reading it bitter and depressed. There is no happy ending. It will make them think that when you die you wander around in misery, lost and confused. It is basically saying that all the young black boys who have been murdered due to racism will not go to heaven until racism is cured. They’ll wander around haunting the living folks trying to make a difference. No idea why this book was given so many 5 star reviews. Maybe because we are not thinking from a child’s standpoint when we are reading. Very disturbing murder scene with bulging eyes and blood seeping from mouth, too, btw.

58 people found this helpful

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Angela of Imani Literary Group

Our Children Matter!

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2018

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Jewell,

It took me awhile to actually steel my heart to read "Ghost Boys" for I knew it would test my emotions, still tearful as I write this note.

You, my talented friend, became the vehicle for thousands of ghost boys to tell their painful stories.

Of young Black lives snatched away; of youthful Black dreams unfulfilled; of sorrow-filled loved ones left behind, of unfair laws and practices that make murdering our Black children, acts of heroism.

The range of emotions I experienced reading "Ghost Boys," from anger and grief to a small glimmer of hope. You told their stories and made me know that we must first know, then share these stories, and finally fight to make sure the sacrifices of their short lives unlived will not be in vain.

Every child in this country should read, share and discuss this book with each other and their families. Our Children MUST MATTER to us!

Thank you for the impact this book must make on everyone who reads it!

57 people found this helpful

Helpful

I love Smarties!

Great book!

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2018

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My 11 year old daughter, an avid reader, absolutely loved this book. She told her 5th grade teacher about it and convinced her to do a read-aloud of the book for her lesson plan next year. Excellent book!

46 people found this helpful

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Britt Kay

This was an intelligent and well-executed story for children and adults

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2018

Verified Purchase

This was an intelligent and well-executed story for children and adults...phenomenal in addressing its subject, yet also haunting long after the last page.

I actually read this book twice, because the layers sucked me in, I felt compelled to revisit the story after I finished.

Jerome is an honest and struggling narrator and his tone seems instantly genuine to his circumstance of being slain at the hands of a judgmental (and possibly racist) cop.

Instead of focusing on the police officer, though, this book focuses on his daughter...and her deep conflict in empathizing with Jerome (by creating a relationship with his ghost and the ghost of Emmett Till) but also loving and remaining loyal to her father.

Largely, this book is hopeful, but it’s mostly a story for children about the unfairness of racism and racial violence and the chain reaction of suffering created by these deaths.

Powerful. Excellent. I’ll be teaching it somehow next year.

26 people found this helpful

Helpful

Trina M.

Great Read on Reality but not too heavy on your heart

Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2018

Verified Purchase

My 12 year old son and I both read this book. He said it was great and helped him understand how sometimes as an African American boy he can be seen differently. He also realizes how he is blessed compared to the characters in the story. I liked the book and feel that Jewel did an excellent job writing a serious theme but allowed for it to be read with understanding and compassion versus anger. A great read for all cultures I think.

26 people found this helpful

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Newby

This book is exceptional!

Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2019

Verified Purchase

My kid has to pick two books to read every summer for her Pre-AP English class. She had to choose from the Texas Library Association’s list for 6th-8th graders. This was one of the ones she chose. I always read the book after she finishes it and I cannot recommend it highly enough! It’s sobering and haunting and, surprisingly, introduced her to the story of Emmett Till. After I got done reading it, I asked if she wanted to see the picture of Emmett in the casket (referenced a few times in the book) and she said yes. She was blown away and we had a sobering discussion about the sheer amount of ghost boys we’ve had in the last decade. I very strongly recommend reading the books your kids are reading. Had I not, we likely wouldn’t have had the necessary conversation we did.

14 people found this helpful

Helpful

Amy Gregory

A MUST read for every urban educator and student.

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2018

Verified Purchase

LOVED this book!!!! I cried through many parts. Being a middle school teacher in an urban low income school I see Jerome alive in the faces of many of my students. Living in St. Louis, Missouri I know how real this story is. How biases show up sub consciously in not only in my own life but in my co-teachers as well. We feel the sense of urgency to educate our young boys of the problems they face in society that is stacked against them and how unfair it is. My worst nightmare is to lose one of my kids to senseless violence. I want to read this book to my class and hope that they listen to the wisdom of the Ghost Boys, life is not fair, and it's even worse when it's black on black violence. This book deserves a Correta Scott King award, as well as a Newberry award. Every preteen should read this book.
Also loved how the chapters were written super easy read.

14 people found this helpful

Helpful

Cassie Thomas

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2018

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A necessary read for mature 4th graders and up.

18 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Rachel

Powerful message suitable for middle grade and above

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 11, 2018

Verified Purchase

Jerome, a twelve-year-old black boy, playing in the street is shot by a white policeman in a patrol car. The court finds that the policeman has no case to answer. In a quick, straightforward story – suitable for middle grade and above, especially with parent/teacher discussion – Jewell Parker Rhodes gives us Jerome as a ghost. He sees the effects of his death on his family and the policeman’s family, and he meets all the other ghost boys, including Emmett Till. They bear witness to the injustices of personal and systematic racism.

3 people found this helpful

Gillian Richardson

A Lesson That Needs To Be Learned

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 11, 2020

Verified Purchase

I am a teacher. I know that injustice exists in this world and children are the ones to bring about change. I intend to read this with my class and I know it will have an impact. A positive one that will affect the future. This book is so well written, it infuriated me reading about how these young boys were treated and how this treatment still goes on to this day. It gave me hope that people can see a world without racism and it took me only a couple of hours to read it. I was hooked quickly and I want to spread the message.

Mr A T Rough

A powerful, important read.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 4, 2020

Verified Purchase

It was by pure chance that I read this book across the backdrop of yet another tragic killing of a black person in America. This story is powerful and compelling and the tragedy is that there is still so much to do to stop prejudice and the culture of fear that perpetuates these events. This would be a good book for 11+ to explore the issues of racism and pay witness to the victims of these terrible crimes.

One person found this helpful

Louisa

A powerful and important book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 23, 2020

Verified Purchase

I loved this sad, but ultimately inspiring story. Heart-breaking, but a fast and immersive read with a vital message.

Smiles

A must read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2021

Verified Purchase

Our 9 year old son liked this book. He thought it was very sad but well written and made him more aware of issues that unfortunately still exist in the modern world. He thought all children age 9+ should read this book.

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