Week 5: YA African American Literature

Ghost Boys 

I'm not sure where to begin with this book... Maybe I should start by saying that African American literature that highlights injustices has always been a favorite of mine because, most of the time, it forces the reader to look at the situation from multiple perspectives. You may go into reading the book with one point of view, but have conflicting feelings by the end of the book. I believe that this is the type of literature we should be exposing America’s youth to because it gives them the opportunity to become empathetic to someone else’s circumstances. It also shows them that there are always two sides to everything and that we shouldn’t be too quick to judge. However, I will note that this isn’t a book I would read in my classroom. If it is shared in the classroom, then it should be with older students, perhaps seventh and up, and there should be explicit written permission from the parents and school administration due to the content. As Kate Messner, the author of The Seventh Wish, says, “Haunting, heartbreaking, and timely, this is a book that will start important conversations.” I’m not in favor of sharing these books to start a debate, to push the boundaries, or even to convince students that one point of view is “right” and the other is “wrong”. It is my belief that literature such as this is a great way for students to learn to think critically for themselves and to determine their personal beliefs outside of the influence of others.  

“How small I look. Laid out flat, my stomach touching ground. My right knee bent and my brand-new Nikes stained with blood. … My eyes are wide open. My mouth, too. I’m dead. … I’d barely turned, sprinting. Pow, pow. Two bullets. Legs gave way. I fell flat. Hard. … Ma’s running. She’s wailing, “My boy. My boy.” A policeman holds her back. Another policeman is standing over me, murmuring, “It’s a kid. It’s a kid.” … I’m still dead. Alone on the field. The policeman closest to me is rubbing his head. In his hand, his gun dangles. The other policeman is watching Ma like she’s going to hurt someone. Then, he shouts, “Stay back!” People are edging closer, snapping pictures, taking video with their phones. … More people come. Some shout. I hear my name. “Jerome. It’s Jerome.” Still, everyone stays back. Some curse; some cry. Doesn’t seem fair. Nobody ever paid me any attention. I skated by. Kept my head low. Now I’m famous.”

Ghost Boys is centered around twelve year-old Jerome Rogers, an African American, who is the most recent victim of an officer involved shooting. Without giving too much away, in this novel we become aware of the events that led to Jerome’s death through flashbacks and the events that take place after his death through Jerome’s as a ghost. Jerome meets other ghosts such as Emmett Till, Tamir Rice and Trayvon Martin. During the preliminary hearing at a Chicago courthouse four months after the shooting, Jerome learns that Officer Moore’s daughter, Sarah, can see him and the other ghost boys. Throughout the novel, Jerome and Sarah try to understand how the tragedy could have occurred. They also learn about the horrific events that Emmett Till endured. There is so much more I want to share with you, but this book really needs to be experienced firsthand. I will warn you though, if reading this book, specifically the part where Emmett Till shares his story, can be very overwhelming.

At the end of the book, Rhodes includes an afterword, classroom discussion questions, and additional resources for parents and educators.

“Rhodes has achieved something remarkable here: a kid’s-eye-view of violence and racism that balances innocence and outrage, wrenching loss and hard-won hope.” – Chicago Tribune

“An excellent novel that delves into the timely topic of racism… with the question of whether or not we really have come far when dealing with…race relations.” – School Library Connection, starred review

“The voice of Ghost Boys is nothing less than prophetic: It rings in its plot lines, in its characters, in its tones, in its images. And here is what that voice says: Bear witness.” – Gary D. Schmidt, award-winning author of The Wednesday Wars