Ghost (Track)

Title: Ghost By: Jason Reynolds Pub. Day: August 30, 2016 Genre: Fiction, Realistic, Sports, Middle Grade, Sports, Recommended Age: 5th-9th grade Trigger Warnings: Violence, Domestic Abuse, Substance Abuse, Trauma, Bullying Favorite Quotes: “You can't run away from who you are, but what you can do is run toward who you want to be.” “Trouble is, you can't run away from yourself." Coach snatched the towel from his shoulder, folded into a perfect square, and set it in the space between us. "Unfortunately," he said, "ain't nobody that fast.” “Don't ever let someone call your life, your dreams, little." -Mr. Charles” Review: Castle Crenshaw is a very fast runner, so quick he is nicknamed “Ghost”, in most cases he is escaping with everything he’s got, however, after a challenge with a sprinter Ghost finds running is about more than just escaping, it can be his life saver. Jason Reynolds writes middle grade and young adult fiction masterfully! He knows exactly how to skillfully pack in a wealth of middle grade themes and elements without overwhelming the reader. “Ghost” is the first in this series, and the novel has a dynamic and realistic main character in Ghost. The readers are naturally drawn to him, as he is grounded in real life emotions. Due to his traumatic past, Ghost’s heart learned to run from everything, instead of opening and trusting in others. This novel is so powerful! We read this as a family when it was first published. As a middle school English teacher, I quickly purchased a classroom set and we read it as a class through COVID. It’s life changing!!! Without exception, my students connected deeply with “Ghost”, a novel that continues to be a classroom favorite year after year! I was THRILLED to see it on Netgalley and couldn’t wait to read it again, and quickly write my most favorite book reviews! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AUTHOR!!! ***It should be noted, Jason Reynolds really strikes a powerful chord with boys, even those who usually don’t enjoy reading. Hearing “Ghost” and other novels written by Reynolds, especially read aloud, helps boys instantly relate to the main character, and before long, they’re hooked. It’s a total game-changer!*** Thank you to Jason Reynolds, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books and NetGalley for the opportunity of an Advanced Readers Copy. I am voluntarily leaving my personal review. #Ghost #JasonReynolds #SimonandSchusterChildrensPublishing #Atheneum #CaitlynDlouhyBooks #advancedreadercopies #NetGalley #ARC

Would recommend over and over again. This was a great story of a kid who is inspired to run on a track team having never done so before. Lots of trials and tribulations in learning what’s right, what’s wrong, and how to love yourself when you don’t feel very lovable. Easy read as it is a YA novel. And worth every second.

Ghost Reynolds, Jason. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 2016. Are you passionate about a sport? Sometimes your desire to compete in one sport can lead you into enjoying another sport. This Young Adult fictional story is overflowing with action, friendship, bullying, family dynamics, positive role models, character traits, and natural talent in a sport. Ghost, Sunny, Lu, and Patina are four young, diverse teenagers with natural talent and a desire to improve on the track. Ghost a.k.a. Castle Cranshaw, the main character in this fast paced story is passionate about knowing specific World Records and possibly setting one himself. He enjoys watching and playing basketball. As a typical teen, he is not eager to go home, and hangs out around town and at the track. One day, he walks up to the starting line and runs with the track team. The coach is impressed and encourages Ghost to try out for the team. Ghost thinks running might help him get better at basketball so he sticks with it. He runs in his old, no name sneakers and hopes to have new, shiny track shoes like his teammates. Ghost is a likable character even though his life is in chaos and he cannot see a way out of constant punishment. He makes several irresponsible mistakes that become life lessons. Will these numerous mistakes prevent him from running in the big race at school? He hopes to run in the important race with an audience including his mother, aunt and cousin. He has not seen his father in years because he is in jail for domestic abuse. Ghost and his Mother ran from the abuse and into the life of Mr. Charles, a store owner and neighbor who teaches Ghost about being a hardworking citizen. Ghost is running at school from his many fights and mishaps with the school bully. He is running around town, running from his problems, avoiding going home. Luckily for Ghost, he has two strong, positive, male role models in his life who help teach him how to become a respectful young man, and how he can make better choices for his future. The first role model is Mr. Charles who helps hid Ghost and his mother from the abusive father. The second is his track coach, Coach Brody who helps him learn life lessons so he can become a respectful person. Coach Brody shares with Ghost that he too grew up in an impoverished neighborhood but he didn’t let it define him. He worked hard and made a good life for himself and his family. Coach Brody encourages Ghost to make good choices so he can be proud of himself. This encouraging story is appropriate for young children ages 9 and up. I give this book 4 out of 4 stars. The part I liked the most was the positive role models that entered Ghost’s life and helped teach him to make better decisions. I liked the part when the coach took the new track members to dinner for team bonding. I look forward to reading the other three books in the series including Sunny, Patina, and Lu.

Dieses Buch eignet sich als Schullektüre in Englisch. Tolle Sprache, einfühlsam, spannend und lustig.

Lo esperado el libro sin mas

Perfeito, muito bem embalado, chegou rápido e com ótimo preço.

This book slaps you in the face and demands your attention right from the first few pages. It's a story of hope and finding the right path through life, especially when you haven't had the easiest start. Personally I loved it, and have now handed it to my 9 year to read for his opinion on whether it should be for Y6+ or if Y5 could read too. This book will challenge some, with an introduction to a violent father in the beginning of the book, but it is done in a sensitive and non sensational way, and very much in context to illustrate Ghost's challenges to be overcome in the story. You will leave the story uplifted, and all the richer for stepping into the shoes of another's life.

Amazing book