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

Castle Crenshaw — who goes by Ghost — has been running for most of his life. At least ever since his father's gun went off. It was pointed in the general direction of Ghost and his mother, and, like in all track races, the shot was a signal to start running. His father went to jail for it. They went back to a home that stopped feeling like home (they sleep in the living room, near the front door, just in case something else happens and they need to run again). And Ghost feels as if he never stopped. Only this restlessness he has felt inside has no real outlet, and it bubbles up, bursting outwards at times of stress and conflict. He lashes out, and gets in trouble for it often.⠀ ⠀ And then one day, taking the usual long way back to his house, he stops to watch a group of kids his age during a track meet. He scoffs at the notion that people have to work at running, which comes so naturally to him. So he decides to show them up by beating their most promising and arrogant stars in an impromptu race. The coach is impressed and asks him to join, which Ghost, with some reluctance, eventually does.⠀ ⠀ The feeling of running, Reynolds has said, is of your body going through trauma, as it fights against exhaustion and suffocation. Running is about feeling like you are about to die, and getting used to that sensation. And running is about breaking through, and overcoming that feeling.⠀ ⠀ Castle Crenshaw — who goes by Ghost — has been running for most of his life. At least ever since his father's gun went off. It was pointed in the general direction of Ghost and his mother, and, like in all track races, the shot was a signal to start running. His father went to jail for it. They went back to a home that stopped feeling like home (they sleep in the living room, near the front door, just in case something else happens and they need to run again). And Ghost feels as if he never stopped. Only this restlessness he has felt inside has no real outlet, and it bubbles up, bursting outwards at times of stress and conflict. He lashes out, and gets in trouble for it often.⠀ ⠀ And then one day, taking the usual long way back to his house, he stops to watch a group of kids his age during a track meet. He scoffs at the notion that people have to work at running, which comes so naturally to him. So he decides to show them up by beating their most promising and arrogant stars in an impromptu race. The coach is impressed and asks him to join, which Ghost, with some reluctance, eventually does.⠀ ⠀ The feeling of running, Reynolds has said, is of your body going through trauma, as it fights against exhaustion and suffocation. Running is about feeling like you are about to die, and getting used to that sensation. And running is about breaking through, and overcoming that feeling.⠀ ⠀ Running is also, in Reynolds' hands, an exceedingly useful metaphor — not only for the particular issues that Ghost faces, but for life in general. Because what is life if not just a series of races you have to break through in order to breathe again? For Ghost, running is initially a means of escape, useful only when he wants to put as much distance between his problems and himself. He doesn't find the act itself uncomfortable — his life is suffocating enough, after all, what is a little sprinting compared to the day to day? "Running ain't nothing I ever had to practice," he boasts at the beginning. "It's just something I knew how to do." It's only after he joins the team and it becomes an increasingly important aspect of his life that he properly begins to feel this suffocation, as he starts to come to terms with the heavy things he's been carrying inside — this scream, as he calls it — for most of his life.⠀ ⠀ Ghost is about a lot of things, but it is mainly about dealing and living with trauma. There is a talk Jason Reynolds gave where he told the story about a childhood friend who, decades after the fact, recognized that he had been traumatized at a young age, and that he just went through life as if these feelings were normal, only to later realize that they were not supposed to be, and how surprised he was at this understanding. No one, you see, made him aware of the fact. It's a particularly cruel problem, and one we can only address by paying attention to the people around us. This is what Reynolds work does for his audience — his books are all about being seen. In this novel, seeing one another is what Ghost's teammates do, as they accept him as one of their own. It's what his mother does, who, despite demanding job, studies at night in order to give them a better future. It's what Mr. Charles, the elderly owner of the local store shop does every time Ghost pays his store a visit and they fall into an established, familiar — and familial — routine. And most importantly, it's what his track coach does, seeing in Ghost some of the same struggles he faced growing up. The kind of struggles that makes you want to disappear, like a ghost, and run away, instead of being present, the burning in your chest a reminder that you are still alive and able to run free. Ghost may not entirely realize the full extent of his trauma, but he is smart enough to know when the people around him care for and want the best for him, which in turn, of course, makes him want to be better for them. "You can't run away from who you are," the Coach tells him at one point, "but what you can do is run toward who you want to be."⠀ ⠀ The novel ends with a different kind of shot that makes Ghost run. Only this time, instead of running away, you are certain and hopeful that he's running free, breaking through the struggle, towards a better future.⠀ ⠀ Jason Reynolds has written yet another lyrical and poetic book chockfull of meaning, and which helps us see these kids in a better and more understanding light. I loved reading it. ⠀ Ghost is about a lot of things, but it is mainly about dealing and living with trauma. There is a talk Jason Reynolds gave where he told the story about a childhood friend who, decades after the fact, recognized that he had been traumatized at a young age, and that he just went through life as if these feelings were normal, only to later realize that they were not supposed to be, and how surprised he was at this understanding. No one, you see, made him aware of the fact. It's a particularly cruel problem, and one we can only address by paying attention to the people around us. This is what Reynolds work does for his audience — his books are all about being seen. In this novel, seeing one another is what Ghost's teammates do, as they accept him as one of their own. It's what his mother does, who, despite demanding job, studies at night in order to give them a better future. It's what Mr. Charles, the elderly owner of the local store shop (who, in a brilliant example of Reynold's humor, looks like a white James Brown) does every time Ghost pays his store a visit and they fall into an established, familiar — and familial — routine. And most importantly, it's what his track coach does, seeing in Ghost some of the same struggles he faced growing up. The kind of struggles that makes you want to disappear, like a ghost, and run away, instead of being present, the burning in your chest a reminder that you are still alive and able to run free. Ghost may not entirely realize the full extent of his trauma, but he is smart enough to know when the people around him care for and want the best for him, which in turn, of course, makes him want to be better for them. "You can't run away from who you are," the Coach tells him at one point, "but what you can do is run toward who you want to be."⠀ ⠀ The novel ends with a different kind of shot that makes Ghost run. Only this time, instead of running away, you are certain and hopeful that he's running free, breaking through the struggle, towards a better future.⠀ ⠀ Jason Reynolds has written yet another lyrical and poetic book chockfull of meaning, and which helps us see these kids in a better and more understanding light. I loved reading it.

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.

I enjoyed reading this lots! The story is about a seventh grader named Castle ‘Ghost’ Cranshaw living with his mother in New York City and his attempt to stay out of the trouble that follows him by joining one of the best track teams in the city. While doing so, he realizes many things about his past and future all while learning valuable life lessons in unexpected places. Ghost is the narrator and one of the main characters in the book. Coming from a poorer neighborhood with no Dad and a cafeteria worker for a mother makes him a target for bullying. Yet he has potential to achieve success if he can control his emotions. He has gone through a lot, especially with his Dad, who is a key reason to why and how he runs. His playful voice makes it seem like he’s sitting right next to you as you read, full of emotion and genuine passion about the story, which is why the book is so easy to read and fall in love with. Another main character is Ghost’s track coach, someone who is wise beyond his years and can identify with Ghost, which is what makes their bond so strong throughout the book. He wants the best for everyone (even if it means making them push themselves) and is the type of person who would go to the ends of the earth for the people he cares about- especially the team. The last four main characters are Lu, Sunny, and Patina. They are all new to the track team- just like Ghost. They each have unique quirks and secrets that make their stories alluring to Ghost and the reader as well. Conflict in the story unfolds when Ghost can’t keep his promise to his coach and his mother to stay out of trouble while being on the track team. He cuts corners and lies to cover up the trouble and many things he gets involved in that he’s not proud of, more importantly the things he knows his mother and coach won’t be proud of. There is also an internal conflict as Ghost struggles to overcome his past and turn the anger and hurt he’s experienced into motivation to run fast- and not from his problems. The book is pretty unique, mainly because the characters are extremely unique. Each are so intriguing because the reader can relate to at least one of them, which makes the characters and the story more exciting, as you root for the characters in the story. Also, Ghost’s ‘voice’ or the author’s style of writing makes the story so easy to visualize, because as you read, it seems like you are casually conversing with Ghost about the entire story. The resolutions to the conflicts Ghost encounters also contributes to book’s uniqueness. I liked the fact that the book could appeal to so many people because it discusses how to deal with conflict, something we all face. But the characters, surprises within the plot, and overall uniqueness of the book made such a common issue an extraordinary story. There is one thing I disliked though, and that is the book’s abrupt ending. The entire moment the book seemed to build up to- Ghost’s first track meet- seemed to be cut short. Just as he begins to run, the book ends. This left me unsatisfied, as I would’ve liked to see how Ghost performed and how all of his work payed off in the end. I do enjoy an ending that thoroughly wraps all elements of the story up though, so maybe that’s just my preference. Also, there is a sequel so maybe the ending was setting up the sequel, but regardless, I was disappointed with the ending. I would classify this novel as realistic fiction because the setting, events, and characteristics of the characters Ghost comes in contact with are very real. This novel applies to youth, more specifically teens or pre-teens, as it tells the story involving a conflict everyone faces, yet in a way that appeals to youth and a way that youth can fall in love with the book’s characters and apply the themes that are demonstrated in the book. This book reminds me of the movie The Blindside, which follows the story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family. Both stories are similar in the sense that they follow a character who has to turn the hurt and anger they have experienced into motivation in order to succeed in a sport and in the end, life with the help of a mentor. Both have similar themes and messages and overall highlight important themes and lovable yet imperfect characters. In conclusion, I enjoyed reading the book and would rate it a solid four out of five stars.

In Ghost, Jason Reynolds introduces readers to Castle Cranshaw, known as Ghost, who harbors dreams of becoming the fastest sprinter on his middle school track team. However, the scars of his traumatic past weigh heavily on him, holding him back from reaching his full potential. After a harrowing childhood experience in which he fled from his father with a loaded gun, Ghost has often run away from his problems rather than confronting them. As he joins a diverse group of talented runners—Lu, Patina, and Sunny—each from different backgrounds with their own struggles, Ghost finds himself in a competitive environment. Together, they have the chance to qualify for the Junior Olympics, but first, they must overcome personal obstacles and learn to work as a team. Their explosive personalities often clash, but as they push each other to improve, they also reveal the depth of their shared experiences and aspirations. With the guidance of Coach, an ex-Olympic Medalist who believes in Ghost's raw talent, he heads toward a critical juncture in his life. Ghost is a powerful story about harnessing one's potential, facing the past, and discovering the importance of support and friendship. Reynolds's electrifying prose and authentic character development make this an inspiring read for middle schoolers and anyone navigating their own challenges on the path to self-discovery and redemption.

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.

I’d heard a bout these books for awhile and, when one of my students told me I HAD to read it because it was the best book he’d ever read, I of course had no choice. And of course it is amazing. Ghost is a thoughtfully drawn teenager, dealing with all the angst and crap all teens do, plus a whole bunch more. I loved all these characters and am looking forward to reading their stories as well. Jason Reynolds does NOT write boring books, and this book grabs your attention and does not let go. Looking forward to reading the rest of the story.

Great story that held our interest throughout the entire book. Students will really enjoy reading this book. I highly recommend it.

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