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Ghost Boys

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About this listen

 A New York Times Bestseller

This was one of my most anticipated 2018 books and I was not disappointed. A must read." - Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give

'tender, timely ... surprising and hopeful' - Observer


A heartbreaking and powerful story about a black boy killed by a white police officer, drawing connections with real-life, from award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes.

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 and racism in today's world.

(P)2018 Hachette Audio©2021 Jewell Parker Rhodes Fiction Growing Up Growing Up & Facts of Life Literature & Fiction Multicultural Stories Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences Discrimination Ghost Haunted

Critic reviews

This was one of my most anticipated 2018 books and I was not disappointed. A must read.
...the protagonist of Jewell Parker Rhodes's tender, timely Ghost Boys (Orion £6.99) - 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.
This is a beautiful and tragic book that is unfortunately very necessary right now.
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.
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.
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 [...]
This is a truly eye-opening story equality and racism.
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.
This is a must-read book, an opportunity to talk about race, as well as an emotional and involving story.
This story will absorb you and break your heart.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
...heartbreaking. [...] This is a strong book.
A thought-provoking and timely read for children aged 11 and up.
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.
All stars
Most relevant
A great novel and an important novel for our time. Thank you, Jewell Parker Rhodes.

So important

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I think everyone should read this book. It's message is so moving, i was 15 min into it when i started crying and mostly kept crying till i finished it. I'm honestly a little speechless but all in all such a good and important book, thay everyone would benefit from reading

Encredible and moving

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it beautiful and sad 😔 but a lovely story 😢 but it is also nice to hear

beautiful 😍

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This brought tears to my eyes, knowing how privileged I am to be a white female living in England. it brings a horrid realisation of what it was, and still is to some extent, to be black. Everyone should read, or listen, to this book.

A haunting story

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There are so many washed up old classics that children have to endure through school nowadays. I am an English teacher and would love this to be on a school book list.

The systemic racism that is so prevalent throughout all society - not just in this case America - needs to be addressed.

Jerome in the story is an innocent young black boy who gets shot by a white police officer. The boy looked big and scary apparently…

Emmett Till is a part of the story as well. It was great to hear part of that story and I feel it gives an understanding as to this isn’t just a ‘now’ issue.

For me this is a must read for young and old.

Every school should read this

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