Ghost Boys Synopsis
ALIVE Twelve-year-old Jerome doesn't get into trouble. He goes to school. He does his homework. He takes care of his little sister. Then Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat.
DEAD As a ghost, watching his family trying to cope with his death, Jerome begins to notice other ghost boys. Each boy has a story and they all have something in common...
Bit by bit, Jerome begins to understand what really happened - not just to him, but to all of the ghost boys. A poignant and gripping story about how children and families face the complexities of race in today's world.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781510104396 |
| Publication date: |
19th April 2018 |
| Author: |
Jewell Parker Rhodes |
| Publisher: |
Orion Children's Books an imprint of Hachette Children's Group |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
214 pages |
| Suitable For: |
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| Other Genres: |
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Jewell Parker Rhodes Press Reviews
Rhodes achieves a lot in this relatively short book, dealing with grief, history, the idea of biases (both conscious and unconscious) and the fight for justice. This is a beautiful and tragic book that is unfortunately very necessary right now. - BookTrust
A thought-provoking and timely read for children aged 11 and up. - The Good Schools Guide - Chalk & Chat
...heartbreaking. [...] This is a strong book. - The Book Witch
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. -- Matt Long - Reading Zone
This story will absorb you and break your heart. - Read by Jess
This is a must-read book, an opportunity to talk about race, as well as an emotional and involving story. -- Jennifer Harris - Reading Zone - Teacher review
In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement comes this novel by an African American writer whose writing has been too long delayed in reaching UK readers [...] a fast-paced and gripping, as well as thought-provoking, read. -- Ann Lazin - Literature & Library Development Manager at CLPE - Research Rich Pedagogies
This is a truly eye-opening story equality and racism. - Scoop
This is one of those books that you love, but it's uncomfortable. It's upsetting and it's disconcerting. You feel helpless and angry. The writing is fantastic [...] -- Victoria Long - Reading Zone - School Librarian Review
A powerful story about police violence in the United States, invoking the real life killings of Tamir Rice and Emmett Till. Jerome's story is a call to action, told unflinchingly but with great humanity. -- Jill Murphy - The Bookbag
This is an incredibly moving and at times harrowing story with unbelievable moments, some sadly based on true events. A thought provoking story for older, mature juniors offering much to discuss. - Primary Times
This is a beautiful and tragic book that is unfortunately very necessary right now. - BookTrust
...the protagonist of Jewell Parker Rhodes's tender, timely Ghost Boys (Orion GBP6.99) - 12-year-old Jerome - dies on page one. Unmoored from life, he switches between the events that led to his death (borrowed toy gun, trigger-happy white police officer) and its surprising and hopeful aftermath. - The Observer New Review
This was one of my most anticipated 2018 books and I was not disappointed. A must read. - Angie Thomas, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give
