Ghost Boys

By: Jewell Parker Rhodes

Narrated by: Miles Harvey

Length: 2 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Number One Kids' Indie Next Pick

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 toward 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 sociopolitical 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.

©2018 Jewell Parker Rhodes (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

"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)

Fantastic

I chose this book to read to my 5th grade class. They absolutely loved it and connected with it!!! They kept wanting to know more and lore because it triggered their curiosity.

2 people found this helpful

it is a must-read for adults and children.

the narrator with really good. he brought the character to life. I enjoy listening to him portray the different characters and their different demeanors.

2 people found this helpful

This was a sad tale and hard for me to read.

Even though the story was sad, it was well told and necessary in today's times.

4 people found this helpful

Ghost Boys was AWESOME

I listened to this book with my class. The narrator did a fabulous job. My classroom is predominantly boys, they were all upset when it ended. They wanted it to keep going. Jewel Parker Rhodes wrote a great book. It is entertaining and enlightening. My students learned a lot about civil rights.

2 people found this helpful

Well written and well read

I loved this book. This story evoked several emotions, but mostly it made me think about humanity and how I can do better and educate myself more. thank you for writing this book. Everyone should read it.

young adults must read

I truly enjoyed the story. My students, who are reluctant readers enjoyed the story as well. Great conversation followed throughout the classroom. I teach high schoolers and although the book's vocab is probably high elementary the topic is mature.

Amazing

I loved thise book it was so touching. I cant believe the things people do. This book lets me know there are people with a heart. This world has hope. Shining lights umong murderers thugs and rapist.

Best Book I’ve Read

This book is absolutely amazing and brings so much emotion and power to it. Just completely outstanding, bought the audiobook and physical book itself.

Garbage.

This book compares a law fictional retailing of a police action with the story of Emmitt Till.
Unfortunately, the author portrays the police action as a purposeful murder and distorts the actual events to something even more tragic than the nonfiction incident.
Law enforcement sometimes make poor judgments. The incident referenced in this book is a prime example. It's sad that poor judgment can be perverted into a overt act of aggression and murder.
There simply is no comparison between the two actual events referenced in this book. Unfortunately, the children that read this book will think a likeness between the two stories exist.

I love this book 🥰

I love how Jerome is telling is narrating the story and how he connects with the officer daughter, I live that she sees there needs to be a change and is emotional attached to helping Jerome