Ghost
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Ghost
Jason Reynolds' novel "Ghost" is the first installment in the acclaimed "Track" series, targeting middle-grade readers typically aged 10 and up. The story follows Castle "Ghost" Cranshaw, a seventh-grader from a challenging background, who discovers his talent for running. Haunted by a traumatic past involving domestic violence and an alcoholic father, Ghost is prone to anger and making poor choices. His life takes a turn when he is recruited by Coach Brody for an elite track team, offering him an opportunity for discipline, teamwork, and a path toward a better future. The narrative explores themes of overcoming adversity, finding mentorship, and the importance of self-discovery while confronting internal and external struggles. This realistic fiction novel delves into serious social issues such as poverty, familial trauma, and the impact of addiction, presenting them through the relatable voice of a young protagonist. Despite its heavy themes, the book maintains a tone of hope and focuses on character development as Ghost learns to channel his energy positively. It is widely praised for its authentic portrayal of its characters and their journey towards personal growth within a supportive team environment, without explicit or graphic content beyond the foundational traumatic events.
Things to Consider
Violence
The book contains significant instances of past and present violence, central to the protagonist's backstory and ongoing struggles. These include gun violence and physical altercations.
The primary traumatic event for the protagonist, Castle 'Ghost' Cranshaw, occurred in fourth grade when his alcoholic father chased him and his mother with a loaded gun, firing a shot at them. This act of domestic violence is explicitly described as his father 'shooting at us! My dad! My dad was actually shooting… at… US! His wife and his boy!' Additionally, Ghost frequently gets into physical fights at school, such as a notable incident with a bully named Brandon.
Substance Use
Substance use, specifically alcoholism and drug addiction, are significant background elements that directly impact the lives of multiple main characters, contributing to their trauma and challenges.
Scary & Intense Content
The book features highly intense and potentially frightening content, particularly concerning domestic violence and the protagonist's internal emotional struggles stemming from trauma.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
Ages 10 and up. The book is officially rated for grades 5 and up, with a Lexile level of 730L, making it suitable for middle schoolers. Reviewers recommend it for ages 10-15, acknowledging its mature themes such as domestic violence, gun violence, and addiction, but noting these are handled within a context of mentorship and character development, making it appropriate for thoughtful discussion with children in this age range.
Good to Know
The "Track" series, of which "Ghost" is the first book, continues to explore the lives and challenges of the diverse team members. While individual books focus on different characters (Patina, Sunny, Lu), the underlying themes of overcoming adversity, family struggles, and the importance of mentorship and teamwork remain consistent. It is advisable for parents to review subsequent books in the series for evolving content, though the foundational elements introduced in "Ghost" set the tone for the series' mature but hopeful approach to youth issues.
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