Reviews

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

elixi's review against another edition

4.0

my cousin recommended me to read it !

burlesot's review against another edition

5.0

This book took me through so many emotions. It's the story of a 12-year-old Chicago boy who is shot by police. The boy had a toy gun that the police mistook as a real gun and they shot the boy as he was running away from them. The story is told from the perspective of the boy's ghost and other 'ghost boys' who were also killed. We get to know one other ghost boy's story pretty well, Emmett Till. I liked how this book was a blend of history and contemporary issues told in a way that is sure to engage young readers as it did for me. I could imagine incredibly rich and powerful conversations with this book about stereotypes and racism if this book were done in a book group or as a read-aloud. I will be recommending this book to my readers. The brevity of the book will be a hook for some of my more reluctant readers as well.

jenmangler's review

3.0

While this isn't a particularly nuanced look at the issues of racism or police brutality, it is a powerful look at how the the loved ones of those involved are permanently impacted by the senseless tragedy of Jerome's death.

mdevlin923's review

4.0

Jerome Rogers, a 12-year-old-boy, is playing in his neighborhood with a toy gun when he is shot and killed by a police officer. After his death, he comes back as a ghost until he is ready to move on. He visits his family...but there is only one person who can see him: Sarah Moore, the daughter of the police officer who shot him. Both Sarah and Jerome can see another ghost: the ghost of Emmett Till. Emmett Till helps Jerome grieve and inspires Sarah to examine her beliefs.

The story alternates between the events leading up to the shooting while Jerome is alive and the events of the following year while Jerome is a ghost. Rhodes handled the difficult topics of racism, police shootings, and the death of Black boys delicately.

Ghost Boys would be best suited for mature older readers (grades 5-8).

brooklyna's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

rachg671's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

kspag206's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

pocketbubblan's review against another edition

2.0

Boken handlar om Jerome som mördas av en vit polis, och om Emmet Till och andra svarta barn utsatta för polisbrutalitet, rasism, hatbrott, mord. Ändå fokuserar författaren på att polisens dotter Sarah ska få tröst(av Jerome dessutom!) och bli aktivist, att polispappan/mördaren ska få förståelse av Sarah för att det var ett misstag. Varför handlar så mycket om de vitas sorg, att lära upp vita istället för att visa hur den fruktansvärda händelsen påverkar Jeromes familj, hur svarta kämpar för rättvisa. Jag hade velat läsa mer om Kim, far/mormor, Carlos. Det var dessutom mycket som hastades igenom, så som Carlos roll. Den känns ofärdig och onödig just nu och hade behövt utvecklas. 

vdiviesti's review

4.0

Powerful book exploring the stories of the young black men killed in America.

krystagarbarino's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0