Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Ghost by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Once again Jason Reynolds has penned a book that speaks to kids, middle grade boys and girls, who have dreams and live in a tough world. How they figure it out is what Jason Reynolds is truly awesome at- the setting, characters, dilemmas, points of view all work perfectly in this book. Ghost is definitely an urban kid who has not had an easy life but he has enough bluster to make "things" work. Take a track coach with a team trying out and Ghost watching the runners. He takes on a sprinter and blows him away...thus begins Ghost's initiation into running, friends, a coach and dare I say it - will he be able to handle this life where he lives on the wrong side of the tracks, can't afford the "right" running shoes, and still gets into fights? I loved Ghost and I ached for his life where he longed for normalcy with a mom who works by day and takes online courses at night with no money to spare and fear of closed spaces and lots of anger. I sure did admire the stable role models in his life - his mom, store owner, Mr. Charles, Coach Brody, and Principal Marshall. They guide him to become a better Ghost by remaining steadfast with their rules, expectations, and humanity. There was just the right amount of suspense, humor, with the aches and pains of being an athlete interspersed throughout this "real" novel of life and the many "stories" that make up a neighborhood, school, and those in these communities. Highly recommended! Can't wait for the next Track series!

View all my reviews