Ghost

Castle “Ghost” Cranshaw feels like he’s been running ever since his dad pulled that gun on him and his mom—and used it.

His dad’s been in jail three years now, but Ghost still feels the trauma, which is probably at the root of the many “altercations” he gets into at middle school. When he inserts himself into a practice for a local elite track team, the Defenders, he’s fast enough that the hard-as-nails coach decides to put him on the team. Ghost is surprised to find himself caring enough about being on the team that he curbs his behavior to avoid “altercations.” But Ma doesn’t have money to spare on things like fancy running shoes, so Ghost shoplifts a pair that make his feet feel impossibly light—and his show more conscience correspondingly heavy. Ghost’s narration is candid and colloquial, reminiscent of such original voices as Bud Caldwell and Joey Pigza; his level of self-understanding is both believably childlike and disarming in its perception. He is self-focused enough that secondary characters initially feel one-dimensional, Coach in particular, but as he gets to know them better, so do readers, in a way that unfolds naturally and pleasingly. His three fellow “newbies” on the Defenders await their turns to star in subsequent series outings. Characters are black by default; those few white people in Ghost’s world are described as such.

An endearing protagonist runs the first, fast leg of Reynolds' promising relay. (Fiction. 10-14)

-Kirkus Review show less

Castle “Ghost” Cranshaw feels like he’s been running ever since his dad pulled that gun on him and his mom—and used it.

His dad’s been in jail three years now, but Ghost still feels the trauma, which is probably at the root of the many “altercations” he gets into at middle school. When he inserts himself into a practice for a local elite track team, the Defenders, he’s fast enough that the hard-as-nails coach decides to put him on the team. Ghost is surprised to find himself caring enough about being on the team that he curbs his behavior to avoid “altercations.” But Ma doesn’t have money to spare on things like fancy running shoes, so Ghost shoplifts a pair that make his feet feel impossibly light—and his show more conscience correspondingly heavy. Ghost’s narration is candid and colloquial, reminiscent of such original voices as Bud Caldwell and Joey Pigza; his level of self-understanding is both believably childlike and disarming in its perception. He is self-focused enough that secondary characters initially feel one-dimensional, Coach in particular, but as he gets to know them better, so do readers, in a way that unfolds naturally and pleasingly. His three fellow “newbies” on the Defenders await their turns to star in subsequent series outings. Characters are black by default; those few white people in Ghost’s world are described as such.

An endearing protagonist runs the first, fast leg of Reynolds' promising relay. (Fiction. 10-14)

-Kirkus Review show less

The night his father got really drunk and tried to shoot him and his mother was the night Ghost discovered that he could run. Fast. But he's never run on a real team or anything. He'd rather play basketball (not that he's on a real team for that, either). When he sees a group of kids and their coach practicing in the park, he's sure he can beat the time of their best sprinter -- and he does, earning himself a place on the team. But his mom says he can only run track if he stays out of trouble at school. And that's going to take some work, because Ghost has a lot of rage inside him, and sometimes it just comes out.

Reynolds writes a good, gripping story, with well-developed characters. The book does end on a cliffhanger, so if you're show more recommending this to a young reader in your life, be sure to have the rest of the series on hand. I'm glad I read this and will read at least the next book in the series. show less

Jason Reynolds has a way. This book has been sitting around my house for a while, and I finally got to picking it up.

Castle Crenshaw is a well-drawn character for middle grades. The portrayal of his rage and his outsider feelings are wonderfully done to maintain relatability to children reading this book. Nothing raw or overly painful, but gritty like a skinned knee from a bad fall. This doesn't coddle the reader, instead sets you in his life to draw empathetic conclusions on his choices and challenges. As a bonus Castle "Ghost" Crewnshaw has a way to envelope the reader in justifications and responsibilities for his actions. He knows who he is, just not who he wants to be.

The supporting characters and resulting sequels promise to have show more their own flavor of hardship and hope, and I look forward to continuing the series.

I'd recommend this for mature late 8yo to adult. show less

Running. That’s all Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) has ever known. But Ghost has been running for the wrong reasons—it all started with running away from his father, who, when Ghost was a very little boy, chased him and his mother through their apartment, then down the street, with a loaded gun, aiming to kill. Since then, Ghost has been the one causing problems—and running away from them—until he meets Coach, an ex-Olympic Medalist who sees something in Ghost: crazy natural talent. If Ghost can stay on track, literally and figuratively, he could be the best sprinter in the city. Can Ghost harness his raw talent for speed, or will his past finally catch up to him?

Castle Cranshaw, aka Ghost, doesn't have much to be proud of. He lives on the poor side of town, his father is in jail for attempted murder, and he has a temper that gets him in trouble. But he does have one thing. He can run. Just to prove it, he walks onto the track during practice and lines up to race their best runner. The coach is impressed and invites him to join the team.

Ghost has another problem. He can't afford new track shoes. He tries to alter his existing shoes by cutting off the tops. It backfires miserably and the kids at school think it's the funniest thing they've ever seen. He ditches school and heads to the athletic store. In a moment of bad judgement, he steals a pair of shoes. Coach is suspicious, but lets it slide. show more When he accidentally learns the truth, he has to do what coaches do, and teach a valuable lesson. That's why every kid needs a coach.

I love Ghost's character. He's had so much disappointment in his life that you can't help but feel sorry for him and root for him. Despite his anger and troubles at school, it's clear that he's a good kid at heart. If only people would stop harassing him and give him a chance, he could be a star. And that's just what Coach does. Not only does he get a coach, for the first time he's part of a team.

The voice Reynolds creates for Ghost is perfect. It couldn't be any better and that's why this book gets 5 stars from me. He writes Ghost's thoughts and dialogue in exactly the way you would expect him to speak. That helped me connect with Ghost in a way that many authors fail to do. In fact, it's so well done that I can't wait to read Patina. She is one of the other members on the team. I'm excited to see how well he writes her character. I don't usually read sequels so that speaks to Reynold's talent. show less

I am not entirely sure Jason Reynolds isn’t a robot because of the speed with which he pumps out amazing books, but on the other hand, no robot could write a book with as much heart and drive as this one, the first in what I assume will be a series of four books about the new kids on a track team. Ghost - real name Castle Cranshaw - is filled with anger and sadness and secrets since the day his father went after his mother and him. He gets in trouble at school and accidentally finds a track team - and if there’s one thing Ghost is good at, It’s running. Will he deal with enough of his past to figure out how to join the team? Can he bond with his teammates? Can he not beat up everybody at school who teases him?

This is a super, show more intense, smart and psychologically deep middle-grade book that gives Ghost a narrative arc and introduces the other three major POV middle-grade characters and their problems, but in a non-awkward way. Reynolds is great at scene, atmosphere, and emotion. I’m starting the second one in the series right away! show less