Ghost Boys
by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Interest age: 10 to 13
Reading age: 9+
Published by Orion, 2018
About this book
In Chicago, a white police officer shoots and kills black 12-year-old Jerome, mistaking a toy gun the child is playing with for a real one. As a ghost, young Jerome witnesses the aftermath of his death, including scenes with his family, the police and the media.
Jerome goes on to meets another ghost, that of the real life figure Emmett Till: a black boy whom himself was murdered in 1955. Till shows Jerome that hundreds of other "ghost boys" just like them are left to roam the streets of America. The story also follows other characters, including Sarah, the daughter of the white officer who killed Jerome, Jerome's friend Carlos, whose toy gun Jerome was playing with, and Jerome's younger sister Kim.
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.
About the author
More books like this
-
Rebound
by Kwame Alexander
9 to 14 years
-
Make More Noise
By various
9 to 14 years
-
Hope
by Rhian Ivory
11 to 14 years
-
Zebra Crossing Soul Song
by Sita Brahmachari
11 to 14 years
-
Long Way Down
by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Chris Priestley
11 to 14 years
Lists of recommended reads
-
Books about life and death, for teens
It can often be difficult to discuss death and bereavement with teenagers, or even for teenagers to do so with parents/carers. In the wake of debate and controversy in the media about books for teenagers exploring difficult topics such as terminal illness or suicide, we recommend some books that deal frankly with issues of life and death.