Book Cover
Justification
I chose Ghost Boys as one of my two free choice selections for this blog. It had been recommended to me by my library mentor I have been working under during my time here at UNT. While Ghost Boys is technically a juvenile fiction book, its themes make it appropriate for older readers as well. Ghost Boys has been nominated by the Bluebonnet selection committee as well as the Lone Star Reading list put out by TLA for middle school readers. It also was selected for the Golden Kite Award for excellence in Middle Grade/Young Readers. It also received positive reviews from Publishers Weekly, The Horn Book, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and Booklist. An important book centered around events that unfortunately we see in the headlines far too often; Ghost Boys deserves the many accolades it has received.
Evaluation
The first element of great writing exhibited in this novel is the point of view. Most of the story is told from twelve-year-old Jerome’s perspective after he has been shot by a police officer. Jerome is playing on the street with a toy gun and is shot down by a police officer after someone calls in seeing an individual with a pistol. Jerome is carried away from his body and observes the world and the aftermath of the shooting as a ghost. This unique perspective provides unexpected insights to the reader. It shows a painfully raw portrait of life after loss, especially a loss that could have been prevented. Ironically, the only person who can see Jerome is the daughter of the police officer who shot him. Their dialogue about the implications of the shooting sheds new light for the reader on the toll of the events taken on both the victim and the police officer’s family. The other voice that helps tell the story is that of Emmett Till. Like Jerome, he was the victim of a senseless crime that sent the community into an outrage. Emmett’s story is deeply powerful and heartbreaking. He now is the leader of the ghost boys. Young black men who’s lives were taken too soon.
The second element of outstanding writing that is clear to see is the tension that is evident throughout the book. Ghost Boys is full of contrast. The living and the dead, the past and the present, the police and those they are supposed to protect. As the plot develops this tension builds. Jerome observes as his family and neighborhood is thrown in to upheaval in the wake of his shooting. He went from being the victim of bullying at school who sat alone in the bathroom at lunch, to front page national news. As Jerome and his community grapples with the tragedy of his death, he learns that he has become part of a greater community of boys who have been taken too soon as the victims of senseless crimes. As the plot develops, the tension does as well. Rhodes does a masterful job of weaving in the push and pull of the contrasting worlds to highlight her themes and develop her characters.
Finally, the themes of the book address issues that unfortunately are all too pervasive in our society. In life, Jerome lived in a less than desirable neighborhood and attended a school where he was the victim of bullying. His life is in sharp contrast to Sarah, the police officer’s daughter who is also twelve years old. The book shows the divide in opportunity and the realities of life that exist in even the same city. The overarching theme of injustice can be found throughout the novel. From Jerome’s lack of fiends and being bullied at school in life, to his untimely death, to the many other senseless deaths of other young black men, the book highlights the injustice that can still be found in today’s world. However, the book ends with a note of hope. That Sarah will go on to impact the community and fight against tragedies like Jerome’s death and hopefully make them a thing of the past.
Response
(A) Reading Ghost Boys was difficult for me. It left me feeling heartbroken that while this was a work of fiction, it could have been another story on the evening news. When real stories of unarmed black men being shot come out in the news, it has a deeply polarizing effect on people. Each time something like this happens I am dumbfounded. How can this keep happening? What can we do to put an end to this? Why is it that people cannot feel safe in their own neighborhoods, or even in their own homes? (D) This book calls out the injustice that has been going on for years in the black community. An army of ghost boys, unjustly taken from this world too soon. We must bring about systemic change to alter the perception that young black men are dangerous and that we have to be careful around them. As the mother of three boys, I cannot imagine having to sit my boys down to warn them about the dangers of interacting with police. Or how they should have to behave in public to avoid unwanted attention. Or worse, fearing that one day they may not come home because just their presence was threatening to someone. (E) Rhodes writes in way that allows younger readers to have an important conversation about the injustice that is present in our culture. It allows for a conversation to take place for students who are close to these issues as well as those who may be further removed from them. The great thing about excellent writing is that it serves as a conversation starter. Rhodes does just that with this novel. It opens the door to a conversation that must be had with younger audiences to hopefully impact change.
Conclusion
Ghost Boys is a novel that will stay with me for some time. This book would be best suited for students who are in fifth grade and older. The subject matter of the novel is disturbing, to illustrate a point and to start a conversation. However, some students may not be ready for the conversation that ensues. Heartbreaking, beautifully written, and the beginning to a very important conversation, Rhodes has expertly weaved this story of loss.
APA Citation
Rhodes, J.P. (2018). Ghost boys. New York: Little Brown and Company.
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