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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
I haven’t had an emotional reaction to a book like this since I read The Hate U Give. This is a powerful work of art by Jewell Parker Rhodes that every child and adult on this planet should read. It tells the story of a young boy after he’s been shot by the police for playing with a toy gun in Chicago, as well as honoring all the stories of the black boys in years’ past that were unjustly killed before him. It is imperative that we continue to teach students about kindness, empathy and making the world better so we can end racism and inequality once and for all.
I think it was intended for a younger audience than I anticipated, but it was a great listen and reminder of one of the many ways racial injustice plagues America
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A really important read that is incredibly relevant. A beautiful and heartbreaking story.
A book that starts a conversation without offering an overly simplified characterization. I could see this being used very successfully in schools.
Very good middle grades book. "Only the living can make change"
Source:
Age Range: 10+
Evaluation of Quality: Ghost Boys addresses the problem of modern-day institutional racism and police brutality in a sensitive and positive manner.
Assessment of Potential Use: This book can be used for a middle school class to discuss the Black Lives Matter movement.
Assessment of Appeal to Children: The palpable outrage and sorrow Jerome expresses over his wrongful death and how it effects his family will linger in young readers' minds.
Age Range: 10+
Evaluation of Quality: Ghost Boys addresses the problem of modern-day institutional racism and police brutality in a sensitive and positive manner.
Assessment of Potential Use: This book can be used for a middle school class to discuss the Black Lives Matter movement.
Assessment of Appeal to Children: The palpable outrage and sorrow Jerome expresses over his wrongful death and how it effects his family will linger in young readers' minds.
A very poignant and timely read. It is heavy, but so important and well written!
Written for middle-school/young adult readers, this novel is about a young Black boy, Jerome, who is shot and killed by a police officer. Jerome recounts the day before his death and the days following where he watches his family, his community, the nation, and the police officer’s daughter all respond. In his ghostly state, Jerome meets other boys who have died at the hands of racism — one of them being Emmett Till — and as Jerome processes his own death the reader is faced with the reality that for a Black boy, the US in the 1950s is not that different than the US today. In narrative form, this story teaches readers about the ways that Black boys are seen as threats, are viewed as men when they are but boys, and are living in a world that fears them rather than protects them. A well-written and educative story, this is a helpful starter book, especially for young, non-Black readers.