Book Review: Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Castle Cranshaw- Ghost- is fast. Like really fast. And when he stumbles upon a track team practicing his curiosity gets the best of him and he ends up meeting a crew of strange kids who all love to run and a coach who sees the potential he has yet to see in himself. But will Ghost's past overrun his success or can he learn to over come the challenges in his path. As coach says "ain't no one fast enough to our run themselves."

Reynolds expertly shows the struggles of a young man working his way through the hardships and trauma of his past. While they do not take up a large portion of the story they drive much of Ghost's decisions and feelings. His struggles are relatable such a bullies at school, whether or not to trust new teammates, or even learning what it means to work through the emotions. There is a chapter that mentions violence as Ghost's dad tries to attack he and his mom, but it is quick. There is also a quick mention of a character who is a drug dealer, but he is mentioned in passing. This book is so relatable to students due to the readability. It feels like the reader is talking with the characters as opposed to reading a story. The language of the prose reflects the characters in a way that makes them feel real.

Ghost’s narration is candid and colloquial, reminiscent of such original voices as Bud Caldwell and Joey Pigza; his level of self-understanding is both believably childlike and disarming in its perception. He is self-focused enough that secondary characters initially feel one-dimensional, Coach in particular, but as he gets to know them better, so do readers, in a way that unfolds naturally and pleasingly. His three fellow “newbies” on the Defenders await their turns to star in subsequent series outings. Characters are black by default; those few white people in Ghost’s world are described as such. An endearing protagonist runs the first, fast leg of Reynolds' promising relay. - Kirkus Review 

Book Information:

Reynolds, J. (2016). GHOST. New York: Caitlyn Dlouhy/Atheneum. ISBN 9781481450157

What next?

Ghost if the first book in Reynolds' Track Series! You will also need to read the next book Patina to find out how Ghost's growth concludes. Sunny and Lu are books three and four. Each main character is introduced in Ghost and then continue to appear in each other's stories to support and encourage each other, like good friend and teammates.