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Ghost Boys Kindle Edition

by Jewell Parker Rhodes (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 5,801 ratings
Teachers' pick
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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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  1. Reading age
    10 - 12 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    242 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    5 and up
  5. Lexile measure
    HL360L
  6. Publisher
    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  7. Publication date
    April 17, 2018
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  12. ISBN-13
    978-0316262286
  13. See all details
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From the Publisher

Wisdom from Ghost Boys

Paradise on Fire by Jewell Parker Rhodes Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes Sugar by Jewell Parker Rhodes Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Paradise on Fire Black Brother, Black Brother Towers Falling Bayou Magic Sugar Ninth Ward
Customer Reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
100
4.7 out of 5 stars
1,239
4.7 out of 5 stars
1,538
4.7 out of 5 stars
288
4.6 out of 5 stars
402
4.7 out of 5 stars
537
Price $8.99 $6.09 $7.39 $6.99 $8.99 $5.19
Discover more inspiring reads from Jewell Parker Rhodes! A timely coming-of-age survival tale exploring issues of race, class, and climate change. A powerful coming-of-age story about two brothers, one who presents as white, the other as black. A powerful novel set fifteen years after the 9/11 attacks in a classroom of students who cannot remember the event but live through the aftermath. A magical coming-of-age story, rich with Southern folklore, friendship, family, fireflies and mermaids, plus an environmental twist. A tale of a strong, spirited young girl who rises beyond her circumstances and inspires others to work toward a brighter future. A heartbreaking and uplifting tale of survival in the face of Hurricane Katrina.

Editorial Reviews

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

Additional praise and awards for Jewell Parker Rhodes' books:

Ninth Ward was named a Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book, a Notable Book for a Global Society, a CCBC Choices pick, a VOYA Top Shelf Fiction pick, an ALSC Notable Children's Book, an SLJ Best Book of the Year, an IndieBound Kids' Next List pick, a Parents' Choice Gold Award recipient, and an NYPL Top 100 Title for Reading & Sharing.



Sugar was a Junior Library Guild selection, a Kirkus Best Book of the Year, an IndieBound Kids' Next List pick, a Jane Addams Book Award winner, an IRA Top Chapter Books selection, and a CCBC Choices Pick.




Bayou Magic was an LA Times summer reading selection and a Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books selection.




Towers Falling was an Indiebound Kids' Next List selection, a Junior Library Guild selection, one of Amazon's Best Books of the Month, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, a Seventeen Magazine Best Book of the Year, and a Notable Book for a Global Society.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B074M6GB8Y
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (April 17, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 17, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6910 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 242 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0316262269
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 5,801 ratings

About the author

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Jewell Parker Rhodes

Jewell Parker Rhodes

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Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling author and educator for both youth and adults. She is the author of nine books for children including the New York Times bestsellers Ghost Boys and Black Brother, Black Brother, both named Amazon’s Best Children’s Books of the Year. Her other books include Paradise on Fire, Towers Falling, and the Louisiana Girls Trilogy: Ninth Ward, Sugar, and Bayou Magic. Her recent novel, Treasure Island:Runaway Gold is a Junior Library Guild Selection and cited as a 2023 Best Book by both Kirkus and Booklist.

Jewell is the author of six adult novels: Voodoo Dreams, Magic City, Douglass’ Women, Season, Moon, and Hurricane, as well as the memoir Porch Stories: A Grandmother’s Guide to Happiness, and two writing guides, Free Within Ourselves: Fiction Lessons for Black Authors and The African American Guide to Writing and Publishing Non-Fiction.

Jewell has won the American Book Award, the Black Caucus of the American Library Award for Literary Excellence, the Jane Addams Peace Association Book Award, the Walter Award, and the Prix des Libraries du Quebec, among many others.

Jewell is the Founding Artistic Director and Piper Endowed Chair at the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing at Arizona State University. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Carnegie-Mellon University. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she currently lives in Seattle.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
5,801 global ratings
A relevant, timely novel that brings to light many of the truths some wish to silence.
5 Stars
A relevant, timely novel that brings to light many of the truths some wish to silence.
This is a book about a 12 year old boy being shot and killed by a police officer. This is the first “controversial” book I used as a whole class novel in my small, Oklahoma school. This was the catalyst that caused so many of my students to realize that reading doesn’t have to be boring; books don’t always have to be written by old White men.I’m so thankful for this book. It taught me so much, but even more, it allowed me to become a better teacher.What I loved the most:-the harsh realities presented-the truthful ending (without giving away spoilers)-the relationship between Kim and Carlos-the history in the bookA million thanks to Jewell Parker Rhodes for funding these books for my classroom. I am forever thankful.
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Top reviews from the United States

Tracey Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Timely, relevant and well told story that all young people would benefit from reading.
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2023
Verified Purchase
As a teacher, I've loved Jewell Parker Rhodes's work for some time now and this book is no exception. Rhodes has a talent for telling what is not an easy story in a manner that is totally appropriate for this age range and also engaging so that they will WANT to read on. Also for teachers the book includes discussion questions and classroom activities so it's very easy to make this into a novel unit for your class.
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Stephanie G
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for elementary kids—perfect to explain the current protests
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2020
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I read this to my 7th graders during the quarantine during an optional Google meet. The kids generally liked it, however it is more catered to 4th-5th graders (not surprised—I took it off the elementary approved reading list). My district has it approved for 4th graders.

It’s the only book I have encountered that addresses prejudice and police brutality for that age group.

The characters are not complex and the story is rather simple. It’s a very at-the-surface story. You aren’t going to get the characterization of, say, The Outsiders. You aren’t going to get the twists and turns of the Westing Game. You aren’t going to get the harsh realities of a Walter Dean Myers book. But it does the job and kids will like it.

I should warn you, however, that there is a page that mentions Emmitt Till’s body after his murder. His mother famously and bravely had a glass casket so the world “could see what they did” to him. It mentions the character doing a Google image search to see a picture of his body. When I learned about Till in 10th grade—it was troubling even for me. I suggest searching it for your child first, and then deciding if they can handle it. I’m sure there are 10-year-olds who can handle it, there are some who will have nightmares. It will leave a huge impact, though.

If your child reads this book, I suggest reading it with them so you can have a discussion with them. I didn’t have to do that with my 7th graders (they understand prejudice at their age), but a ten-year-old might not. The value of the book is lost if a child isn’t able to process the message.

I also suggest you do some extra research with your child on Emmitt Till. It’s worth it.

If you have an older child, I would suggest having them read Mississippi Trial, 1955 (about Emmitt Till) to see a perspective on hate crimes, or Monster by Walter Dean Myers to see a perspective of prejudice and injustice against Black teenage boys rather than this book.
12 people found this helpful
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DMB
5.0 out of 5 stars “Only the Living Can Make the a World Better..”
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2020
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Those words. That revelation. That invitation. A posthumous call to action from a fictional 12 year old with a toy gun, who was killed by a white cop, is the heart of this story. This is the story of Jerome, a bullied black boy, who finally gets a fried. The story of a white cop who is trying to live with his actions. The story of his daughter who can commune with the ghost. The story of Emmet Till who is still crying from the grave.

This is the story of too many black boys.

But this is also the story of us. Those who live. Those who can tell their story. Those who can hear the pain. Those who can make a difference

This story, those short, is powerful and evocative. I couldn’t put it down and was late to work so that I could read it. I highly recommend it. I plan on reading it with my children, though it is painful, so that we can all be among the living who can make a difference.

This but haunts me. And I imagine it will do so for a while. But also inspires me to action
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KBerco
5.0 out of 5 stars Middle School Read
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2023
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My Middle Schooler is reading this book right now and loves it. He's a big fan of historical non-fiction and that's a hard niche to feed. I don't know where I saw this book recommended but it was on a list in the Googleverse. I took a chance and I'm so glad I did. It is keeping his attention and meeting our school reading requirements. He reads to my Father-in-law who is also enjoying the book. Maybe just get it for yourself. Joking. Sort of. Great book for everyone.
2 people found this helpful
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Kelly Francis
4.0 out of 5 stars Powerful introduction to some difficult topic
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2021
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I don't read in this age category very often. I was drawn in by the subject matter and that idea of telling this sort of story to kids. I think the author did a superb job of de-sanitizing the subject in a way that is crucial and necessary, but still age-appropriate and not without hope for the future. I hesitate to give it 5 stars because I can't truly say if I'm reacting to the writing and story versus the subject matter. There's likely not much out there that is quite like this, and that deserves some significant praise. I do think that to some degree, however, it was more subject driven than character driven. Maybe that's how it has to be with something like this. And maybe it's somewhat standard for this age category. My kids are still a bit too young, but I'm glad to know that this is out there for when they are ready to start learning some of these difficult truths.
One person found this helpful
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Nancy m.
5.0 out of 5 stars It brought me to tears
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2024
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Shows me how the past never changes the present.
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Trudi Woods
5.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2024
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Jessie
5.0 out of 5 stars Sad, honest look at our world
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2020
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This was a simple, sad, yet beautiful story. Not realizing how many truly innocent people are killed based on race is an eye opener in this book. Emmett Till 's story stirs all sorts of emotions with anger overpowering what was done to this young man. It is important to teach ALL races, not only bits of history, but all of history, because this is how we try to prevent repetition. Unfortunately, many textbooks leave out these stories, and unless a teacher, or other adult, bring it up, kids are unaware how long many have lived with racism, prejudice, stereotypes, and hate. I like that this book is easy to get through for struggling readers, and brings up so much that can be connected to real events kids can look up and read into on their own, or research in school. Great read.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

This book is riveting and provocative. The author takes very seriously and sensitively a topic that is in the news and makes the reality accessible to youth.
5.0 out of 5 stars Serious and sensitive!
Reviewed in Canada on October 14, 2023
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The story is riveting for young audiences. The author takes a serious and sensitive approach to make this reality accessible for youth.
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james gough
5.0 out of 5 stars WOw
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 21, 2023
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Read this book in a sitting, really interesting and thought-provoking, its not the easiest topic to read about but very important messages in it.
also my pup really liked chewing on the front cover when i was done.
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J.Ur
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Reviewed in Spain on July 24, 2020
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Great book! Everyone should read.
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Tay Rogers
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible read
Reviewed in Canada on July 9, 2020
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Very moving and thought provoking. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for books related to the Black Lives Matter Movement.
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oliviaaa
4.0 out of 5 stars Good beginner book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 19, 2022
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It’s a short read and it gets to the point very quickly concerning race and all the complexities surrounding it. It’s very good for educating younger children and adults who want to be educated. I enjoyed the read and finished it very quickly.
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