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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
This is a truly amazing novel. The story told is tragic, heartbreaking, and eye-opening. It gives a deep insight into the minds of black youths and their families when tragedies such as the shooting in this story occur. We get to see the suffering and heartache of those affected by these terrible situations. At the same time, we are also given insight into the families of the police officers also involved in events like this. We see the pain and struggle they also go through. Jewell Parker Rhodes does a masterful job of representing both sides of these shootings, showing that in these events, everyone suffers and everyone loses. And her overall message of love and understanding is one that this world needs to hear a LOT more often.
Ghost Boys is a ghost story but it is based on current affairs. Jerome is given a toy gun to play with by his new friend Carlos, while he is enjoying a pretend scenario of beating the bad guys, he hears behind him a car coming at him fast, a burning sensation in his back and then he is looking down at himself covered in blood in the snow.
The story follows the aftermath of his families grief, a friend, Carlos as well as the daughter of the cop who shot him. He comes back as a ghost and he meets Emmett Tills, who all the ghost boys look up to as he was the first sensationalized black boy killed by a white man.
In each of the ghost boys journey, there is only one person who can see them and in Jerome’s case, it is the daughter of the cop who decides to be the change that will make a difference.
This story is written for young adults but adults will enjoy it as well. There is a great message here and a tragic reality that continues to be problematic for all young black boys and men. There is no foul language, no politics and no blaming of either side.
Additionally there is a question summary in the back for open discussions.
The story follows the aftermath of his families grief, a friend, Carlos as well as the daughter of the cop who shot him. He comes back as a ghost and he meets Emmett Tills, who all the ghost boys look up to as he was the first sensationalized black boy killed by a white man.
In each of the ghost boys journey, there is only one person who can see them and in Jerome’s case, it is the daughter of the cop who decides to be the change that will make a difference.
This story is written for young adults but adults will enjoy it as well. There is a great message here and a tragic reality that continues to be problematic for all young black boys and men. There is no foul language, no politics and no blaming of either side.
Additionally there is a question summary in the back for open discussions.
Beautiful, soul-ripping missive from one of the most profound people I've ever had the honor of meeting. A must-read for everyone, forever.
Wow. This book is so important. This book is powerful. It is written so incredibly well.
Summary: A young boy in Chicago named Jerome gets shot and killed by a police officer while playing with a toy gun. After his death, his ghost watches the aftermath--and he comes in contact with a fellow ghost boy: Emmitt Till. Emmitt stands by Jerome through his funeral, court, and through watching his family cope with the loss.
What I loved: the historical telling of Emmitt Till's story. I loved that Emmitt was a role model, a mentor for Jerome after his death. The fact that this book is told from the perspective of Jerome's ghost. The brief snapshots into the lives of each character as they dealt with the loss. Jerome's connection with Sarah. While he was angry, outraged, and felt her father should be held accountable, he was equally compassionate. Compassionate in a way that didn't excuse him for what he did--our society needs more of that. Compassion and accountability can coexist. I loved the scenes that depicted all of the 'ghost boys'--when I imagined those images in my head they were equally powerful and heartbreaking. The Afterword! So powerful.
"It's okay that Sarah's still troubled; she should be. It's how Sarah helps herself and the world."
"Only the living can make the world better. Live and make it better. Don't let me (or anyone else) tell this tale again."
Summary: A young boy in Chicago named Jerome gets shot and killed by a police officer while playing with a toy gun. After his death, his ghost watches the aftermath--and he comes in contact with a fellow ghost boy: Emmitt Till. Emmitt stands by Jerome through his funeral, court, and through watching his family cope with the loss.
What I loved: the historical telling of Emmitt Till's story. I loved that Emmitt was a role model, a mentor for Jerome after his death. The fact that this book is told from the perspective of Jerome's ghost. The brief snapshots into the lives of each character as they dealt with the loss. Jerome's connection with Sarah. While he was angry, outraged, and felt her father should be held accountable, he was equally compassionate. Compassionate in a way that didn't excuse him for what he did--our society needs more of that. Compassion and accountability can coexist. I loved the scenes that depicted all of the 'ghost boys'--when I imagined those images in my head they were equally powerful and heartbreaking. The Afterword! So powerful.
"It's okay that Sarah's still troubled; she should be. It's how Sarah helps herself and the world."
"Only the living can make the world better. Live and make it better. Don't let me (or anyone else) tell this tale again."
Jewell Parker Rhodes has a written a stunningly powerful book with this story of a quiet black boy who is shot dead near his home in Chicago.
The story immediately takes on the dual timelines as in the blurb: one while Jerome is alive, leading up to the shooting, and the other after he has died, with Jerome still nearby as a ghost. He tries to come to terms with what happened to him on that day.
Ghost Boys is undoubtedly a microcosm of an endemic in American society – Jewell Parker Rhodes cites the names of more black children, famous for being murdered, like Trayvon Martin and Emmett Till. She imagines these boys as ghosts with a purpose, namely to end this pattern of racism.
As a middle-grade book, one would think that the subject matter may be too much for younger readers but the author puts it perfectly in this quote:
‘If a middle school child can be killed, then you can certainly talk to them about this topic.’
Jewell Parker Rhodes has a simple objective in mind with this book. She seeks to empower the future generations to change the world for the better and choose to end this cycle once and for all.
The writing of Jerome’s family, his parents and his sister Kim is heartbreaking, as well as his doting grandmother, the real rock of the story. Jerome watches them as they try to mourn the loss of their family member and comprehend what has happened. There is also the inclusion of the police officer’s side of the story and a look at a very different part of society through the character of Sarah, the police officer’s daughter.
Ghost Boys is an unfortunately timely book and it is definitely one to use as an educational resource for teachers and parents, to instigate a discussion on race and to educate children on the history of this ongoing issue. Inspiring empathy in young people is a noble and right way to go about eradicating racism and giving everyone the chance to live a full life.
The story immediately takes on the dual timelines as in the blurb: one while Jerome is alive, leading up to the shooting, and the other after he has died, with Jerome still nearby as a ghost. He tries to come to terms with what happened to him on that day.
Ghost Boys is undoubtedly a microcosm of an endemic in American society – Jewell Parker Rhodes cites the names of more black children, famous for being murdered, like Trayvon Martin and Emmett Till. She imagines these boys as ghosts with a purpose, namely to end this pattern of racism.
As a middle-grade book, one would think that the subject matter may be too much for younger readers but the author puts it perfectly in this quote:
‘If a middle school child can be killed, then you can certainly talk to them about this topic.’
Jewell Parker Rhodes has a simple objective in mind with this book. She seeks to empower the future generations to change the world for the better and choose to end this cycle once and for all.
The writing of Jerome’s family, his parents and his sister Kim is heartbreaking, as well as his doting grandmother, the real rock of the story. Jerome watches them as they try to mourn the loss of their family member and comprehend what has happened. There is also the inclusion of the police officer’s side of the story and a look at a very different part of society through the character of Sarah, the police officer’s daughter.
Ghost Boys is an unfortunately timely book and it is definitely one to use as an educational resource for teachers and parents, to instigate a discussion on race and to educate children on the history of this ongoing issue. Inspiring empathy in young people is a noble and right way to go about eradicating racism and giving everyone the chance to live a full life.
I loved the idea of this book and everything it stands for, I just would have liked a little more development. I flew through it but never strongly connected to a single scene. Still. An important story to tell.
A brutal look at violence against black children (specifically boys) that stretches through history in a really well constructed story. The book is accessible for kids as young as 10, but an important read even for adults.
I picked this up at a library van and I’m so glad I did. Ghost Boys is such a poignant read- especially for the younger generation and I am so glad that books like this are being published with the aim to educate.
Ghost boys is evocative and real- fast paced but will still leave you undeniably emotional. Although there were aspects to the plot and writing that weren’t my favourite, the strong message and thoughtful care that the author took in making this book truly does make it a stand out.
Ghost boys is evocative and real- fast paced but will still leave you undeniably emotional. Although there were aspects to the plot and writing that weren’t my favourite, the strong message and thoughtful care that the author took in making this book truly does make it a stand out.
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced