I first heard about this book while watching PBS’ The Great American Read. I hadn’t heard of it before that, but now I really don’t know why.
This is the story of a young man named Castle Cranshaw – better known as Ghost. Ghost hasn’t had an easy life. He lives in the projects with a single mother because his father – a mean alcoholic – is in prison. His mom works in a hospital cafeteria while studying to become a nurse, and she makes ends meet by feeding them on cafeteria leftovers. Ghost has a few friends, but doesn’t talk to them about his life much. He is being bullied by a kid at school and is in and out of trouble.
Ghost only has a couple of things going for him. One is the man who works at the corner store near his apartment who sells him sunflower seeds every afternoon. Not a major influence on his life, but someone who notices that he’s around and keeps an eye out for him. The second is that Ghost can run. Not like he enjoys it – no, he can run.
One day on his way home, Ghost notices some kids his age stretching on the track in a local park. He stops to watch and isn’t very impressed by the antics of the cocky star of the team, so he decides to teach the kid a lesson. He lines up on the grass next to the track when the kid is getting ready to run, and he races him. The rest, as they say, is history.
For Ghost, being part of the track team isn’t just about having a bit of guidance on training. It means a place to go after school. It means being part of something for the first time in his life. And it means being accountable to people who care about him. It means having a found family, and being good at something.
This book is a very quick one to read, particularly if you’re reading it as an adult. It would have been one I could have finished in a sitting if I’d had the time. But I think it’s one that will really appeal to middle grade and young adult readers. The themes it tackles are serious, but not taken too seriously. There are lessons and morals to be learned here, but they’re not going to batter you about the head. You’ll like Ghost and really feel for him as you read. And, if you’re reading as a grown up, you’ll probably relate to some of the adults in this book, too. (I really felt for his mom – I have no idea how she manages to keep the two of them going, and I can’t even imagine how hard it is for her.) It’s not a huge investment of time or effort, but it will reward that effort handsomely. Definitely one to pick up next time you want an inspiring and heartwarming read!
Running. That’s all that Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) has ever known. But never for a track team. Nope, his game has always been ball. But when Ghost impulsively challenges an elite sprinter to a race — and wins — the Olympic medalist track coach sees he has something: crazy natural talent. Thing is, Ghost has something else: a lot of anger, and a past that he is trying to outrun. Can Ghost harness his raw talent for speed and meld with the team, or will his past finally catch up to him? – Goodreads
Book Title: Ghost
Author: Jason Reynolds
Series: Yes – Track #1
Edition: Paperback
Published By: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
Released: August 30, 2016
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 208
Date Read: June 12-16, 2020
Rating: 7/10
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.21/5 (26,701 ratings)