Book Review of Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes


   Note

     Due to COVID-19 pandemic and sheltering-in, I have read quite a few books from my 'TBR' (to be reviewed) list. I have quite a growing pile of books from publishers, NetGalley.com, LibraryThing.com, etc. that I have committed to reading and reviewing.  My goal is to read as many on my list as possible for the year 2020. I received an advanced readers copy (ARC) of "Ghost Boys" from Goodreads.com's Giveaway for review.  I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

                                        Ghost Boys

     Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. As a ghost, he observes the devastation that’s been unleashed on his family and community in the wake of what they see as an unjust and brutal killing.

     Soon Jerome meets another ghost: Emmett Till, a boy from a very different time but similar circumstances. Emmett helps Jerome process what has happened, on a journey towards recognizing how historical racism may have led to the events that ended his life. Jerome also meets Sarah, the daughter of the police officer, who grapples with her father’s actions.

                                  Review

The realism of the deaths of unarmed black boys is so prevalent in the past and present day and time. in the telling of this story, I want to cry. I have always felt the shame and horror of Emmit Tills’ death and doing research on the killing of 12 year old Tamir Rice is modern day lynching. 
Even though I enjoyed the premise of the story, I found it very sad and painstakingly truthful. In hindsight of the unrest and protests after the killing of George Floyd in 2020 and systemic racism, this novel is a powerful segway into having that conversation with young readers. 

      ...Deep inside me. A recognition. Injustice. Tragedy. - page 146

This is the sum and sentiment of this novel that swarms around all African American boys that have been killed unjustly by the hands of white men. Only the living can make the world better. I must read something funny or uplifting after reading Ghost Boys, whew....Jewel Parker Rhodes is a great, and compassionate writer. It’s evident that the passion of what was transpiring during the time of Parker Rhodes writing this novel is heard loud and clear.

                                                  Author

Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes currently serves as the Piper Endowed Chair and founding artistic director of the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing at Arizona State University.

Ghost Boys, quickly became a New York Times Best Seller and has garnered over 25 awards and honors, including The Walter Award, the Indies Choice/EB White Read-Aloud Award, and the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award for Older Readers. Jewell is also the author of Towers Falling , winner of the 2017 Notable Books for a Global Society, and the celebrated Louisiana Girls’ Trilogy: Ninth Ward, a winner of a Coretta Scott King Honor Award; Sugar, a Junior Library Guild selection, and Bayou Magic, a We Need Diverse Books Educational Selection.

Her newest middle grade novel, Black Brother, Black Brother was published March 3, 2020.

Jewell has written numerous children’s and adult books hoping to inspire social justice, equality, and environmental stewardship. She enjoys teaching, walking her Toy Aussie Sheepdogs, theater, dancing, and music. Born in Pittsburgh, she now lives in Seattle.




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