Review: Reynolds, J. (2017). Ghost.

Reynolds, J. (2017). Ghost. New York, NY: Atheneum Books For Young Readers.

Much of the edgy realistic fiction written by acclaimed author Jason Reynolds is directed at young adult audiences; however, his popular Track series has become a favorite among younger readers from elementary through middle school.  The first installment in the series, Ghost, follows Castle Crenshaw, self-nicknamed Ghost, as he discovers his innate running abilities and joins a city track team while struggling with some very harrowing personal and family issues.

Ghost’s first realization that he is a natural sprinter comes three years before the story begins when his alcoholic father “morphs” into something even crazier than usual, and chases after Ghost and his mother firing a pistol.  This is told with the same casual voice that a seventh grader might be expected to use in discussing world records, running from his enraged father, and noticing runners practicing at the park--something he had never needed to do, or even considered.  Ghost is intrigued by the concept, and to hear the coach instructing the runners on their responsibilities and privileges as part of “one of the best youth teams in the city”--the Defenders. Here Ghost first watches his future friends and teammates, “the newbies” on the team, Lu, Sunny, and Patina “Patty” Jones, and is somewhat impressed by their speed and coolness, though he can’t help wanting to show them up with his own abilities.  This chance encounter and impromptu race leads Coach Brody to recruit a reluctant Ghost to his first-ever involvement with a team.

His tendencies to get into what he terms “altercations” escalates in the beginning, but after weeks training with his new team, bonding, and sharing his darkest secret with them, he feels a lessening of the “scream inside.”  He finds that he wants to be able to relieve some of his mother’s worries, and to bring pride to his supporters Mr. Charles, owner of the neighborhood grocery, and Coach--with whom, it turns out, he shares some difficult background experiences.  Before he can move on, however, he must make amends for past mistakes, because--as Coach tells him--you can’t run away from yourself, but you can “run toward who you want to be” (155).

The writing and dialogue are filled with both serious topics and humor, slang, and the believable perspective of a middle schooler battling post-traumatic stress along with school pressures, societal expectations, family issues, peers and “poor jokes” (38).  Reynolds is masterful in blending these elements together in a way that is both appealing to upper elementary and middle grade readers, and suspenseful enough to keep them engaged--even reluctant readers will have to find out what happens to Ghost in the end.  Although the story does tackle sensitive issues like alcoholism, drugs, and gun violence, its focus is on the importance of teamwork, finding your place in the world, and becoming who you are meant to be. This novel does not, in its realism, utilize expressions or strong language that may make some of Reynold’s other works more suitable to mature teen readers.  He has noted that he was encouraged to write fiction about young black protagonists by Christopher Meyers, and gives him a nod in the novel by naming one of the team members after him.

Intended audience: ages 10 and up

Intended audience: ages 10 and up