Description

A New York Times Bestseller

This was one of my most anticipated 2018 books and I was not disappointed. A must read.” -Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give

‘tender, timely … surprising and hopeful’ – Observer

A heartbreaking and powerful story about a black boy killed by a white police officer, drawing connections with real-life, from award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes.

ALIVE
Twelve-year-old Jerome doesn’t get into trouble. He goes to school. He does his homework. He takes care of his little sister.

Then Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat.

DEAD

As a ghost, watching his family trying to cope with his death, Jerome begins to notice other ghost boys.

Each boy has a story and they all have something in common…

Bit by bit, Jerome begins to understand what really happened – not just to him, but to all of the ghost boys.

A poignant and gripping story about how children and families face the complexities of race and racism in today’s world.

Publisher Review

Rhodes achieves a lot in this relatively short book, dealing with grief, history, the idea of biases (both conscious and unconscious) and the fight for justice. This is a beautiful and tragic book that is unfortunately very necessary right now. * BookTrust * A thought-provoking and timely read for children aged 11 and up. * The Good Schools Guide - Chalk & Chat * ...heartbreaking. [...] This is a strong book. * The Book Witch * I cannot recommend this book highly enough. -- Matt Long * Reading Zone * This story will absorb you and break your heart. * Read by Jess * This is a must-read book, an opportunity to talk about race, as well as an emotional and involving story. -- Jennifer Harris * Reading Zone - Teacher review * In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement comes this novel by an African American writer whose writing has been too long delayed in reaching UK readers [...] a fast-paced and gripping, as well as thought-provoking, read. -- Ann Lazin - Literature & Library Development Manager at CLPE * Research Rich Pedagogies * This is a truly eye-opening story equality and racism. * Scoop * This is one of those books that you love, but it's uncomfortable. It's upsetting and it's disconcerting. You feel helpless and angry. The writing is fantastic [...] -- Victoria Long * Reading Zone - School Librarian Review * A powerful story about police violence in the United States, invoking the real life killings of Tamir Rice and Emmett Till. Jerome's story is a call to action, told unflinchingly but with great humanity. -- Jill Murphy * The Bookbag * This is an incredibly moving and at times harrowing story with unbelievable moments, some sadly based on true events. A thought provoking story for older, mature juniors offering much to discuss. * Primary Times * This is a beautiful and tragic book that is unfortunately very necessary right now. * BookTrust * ...the protagonist of Jewell Parker Rhodes's tender, timely Ghost Boys (Orion GBP6.99) - 12-year-old Jerome - dies on page one. Unmoored from life, he switches between the events that led to his death (borrowed toy gun, trigger-happy white police officer) and its surprising and hopeful aftermath. * The Observer New Review * This was one of my most anticipated 2018 books and I was not disappointed. A must read. * Angie Thomas, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give *