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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
Twelve year old Jerome is playing outside with a toy gun that his new friend has given to him when he is gunned down without warning by a police officer. Outrage and uproar sparks, calling for the officer's arrest, but he claims that he had mistaken Jerome for a grown man and considered the child a threat. Jerome, unable to move on, lingers in this world as a ghost, and watches as the racially charged events following his death unfold.
This book really packed a punch for being so short. It is beautifully written and highly emotional as a result of the pure anger that it inspires. An important read for anyone, not just younger audiences, Ghost Boys tackles issues such as racial bias, socioeconomic inequalities, gun violence through the eyes of a child that does not understand and only wants the people he loves to find peace.
I wasn't keen on the ending, although I understand why Rhodes made the choices she did given that this is aimed at a much younger audience. The attempted redemption arc weakened the book for me, I don't think that it should have been included and the message of 'situations are not black and white, don't judge others' came across loud and clear without needing this on-the-nose inclusion.
This book really packed a punch for being so short. It is beautifully written and highly emotional as a result of the pure anger that it inspires. An important read for anyone, not just younger audiences, Ghost Boys tackles issues such as racial bias, socioeconomic inequalities, gun violence through the eyes of a child that does not understand and only wants the people he loves to find peace.
I wasn't keen on the ending, although I understand why Rhodes made the choices she did given that this is aimed at a much younger audience. The attempted redemption arc weakened the book for me, I don't think that it should have been included and the message of 'situations are not black and white, don't judge others' came across loud and clear without needing this on-the-nose inclusion.
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
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:
Complicated
Powerful fast read. Educates with feeling but doesn't sugar coat.
Quick read. Recommend it to read to older kids for sure. Good way to start the conversation about prejudice & racial profiling.
Jerome is dead at the age of 12. He was shot by a white cop he saw him playing with a toy gun and thought it was real. Jerome is stuck with the living and sees how his family and neighbors react to his senseless death. Jerome is visited by another ghost boy, Emmet who was just a boy when he was lynched in 1955. The only living person who can see Jerome is Sarah, the 12 year old daughter of the cop who killed Jerome.
The story goes back and forth between present day and a few days leading up to Jerome's murder.
Bringing Emmet's story in with Jerome's shows how little our country has changed since before the Civil Rights Movement.
This is a great middle grade read to talk about racism and police violence against blacks.
"Only the living can make the world better. Live and make it better."
The story goes back and forth between present day and a few days leading up to Jerome's murder.
Bringing Emmet's story in with Jerome's shows how little our country has changed since before the Civil Rights Movement.
This is a great middle grade read to talk about racism and police violence against blacks.
"Only the living can make the world better. Live and make it better."
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Really wonderful insight for teens to learn about systemic racism and motivate change.
dark
emotional
informative
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes