Ghost

By Jason Reynolds

Book Overview

A National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature
Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read

Ghost wants to be the fastest sprinter on his elite middle school track team, but his past is slowing him down in this first electrifying novel of the acclaimed Track series from Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award-winning author Jason Reynolds.

Ghost. Lu. Patina. Sunny. Four kids from wildly different backgrounds with personalities that are explosive when they clash. But they are also four kids chosen for an elite middle school track team--a team that could qualify them for the Junior Olympics if they can get their acts together. They all have a lot to lose, but they also have a lot to prove, not only to each other, but to themselves.

Running. That's all Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) has ever known. But Ghost has been running for the wrong reasons--it all started with running away from his father, who, when Ghost was a very little boy, chased him and his mother through their apartment, then down the street, with a loaded gun, aiming to kill. Since then, Ghost has been the one causing problems--and running away from them--until he meets Coach, an ex-Olympic Medalist who sees something in Ghost: crazy natural talent. If Ghost can stay on track, literally and figuratively, he could be the best sprinter in the city. Can Ghost harness his raw talent for speed, or will his past finally catch up to him?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1481450166
• ISBN13: 9781481450164
• Release Date: August 2017
• Publisher: Atheneum Books
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 10 to 13 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 8

Customer Reviews

Couldn’t put the book down!

Had the good fortune of hearing Jason Reynolds speak on a panel at TLA ‘23. Promptly read this afterwards. I loved it! Ghost shows the importance of perseverance, hope, a little self-discipline, and guidance. Excellent book for children going through a hard time. Definitely going to finish the Track series.

Classroom Library Necessity

Every student (from 7th grade to 12th) in my classes that has read this series has raved about it! From the writing style to the relatable content, this is a book you can’t put down and, more importantly, neither can the kids! Never met a Jason Reynolds book that I didn’t like!