Parents' Guide to

Ghost: Track, Book 1

By Terreece Clarke, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Poignant, smart look at track star running from his past.

Book Jason Reynolds Contemporary Fiction 2016
Ghost: Track, Book 1 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 11+

Based on 7 parent reviews

courta3
courta3 Adult
March 19, 2019
age 12+

Really Good

Ghost is a great story for some of my reluctant readers in upper elementary. It is perfect because it has maturity without being too inappropriate. It is relatable and a great sports story for people who want more realistic sports stories.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
THuguley
THuguley Parent of 6, 9 and 12-year-old
May 11, 2020
age 10+

Real life perspective

Her daughter is 9 but she’s gifted and advanced. She loved this book!!!! Yes there are some not so nice parts but it sparked a conversation of peer pressure and moral judgements. It didn’t influence my child but rather allowed insight into why people choose different responses and the consequences of those actions. Even without being caught, how ones moral compass is created and how judgements are made. She is now into the whole series wanting to dig into the other characters backgrounds. I think this book helps promote a conversation of how a person is separate from a single action in life. How hard work can be rewarded but can also be stripped away. I like how the main character continuously faced new and difficult decisions that my child may face in a similar way. And how people have different thought processes based on their personal experiences and motivations.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

GHOST is Castle Cranshaw's new nickname -- he gave it to himself and it sticks when he challenges a track team's best sprinter to a race. Running is as easy for him as breathing, probably because he's been doing it all his life. An emerging track star with a past, Ghost has to figure out why he runs -- is it toward what his life could be or away from his past? Luckily, he has new friends on the team, his coach, and even his mom to help him figure it all out.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7):
Kids say (6):

Another poignant, engaging, exciting novel that combines middle school, sports, and life lessons from Coretta Scott King Honor author Jason Reynolds. Ghost is the kind of story readers carve out time for because they won't want to put it down. Students and parents alike will easily identify with Castle as he navigates middle school with heavy adult concerns on his shoulders. Even though he comes across as tough, Castle is highly observant and sensitive to the personalities and circumstances around him, which can lead to him becoming overwhelmed by situations he faces throughout the book. His learning how to focus and channel those emotions is a large part of what makes the story successful.

Two things that stand out in addition to Castle's wit and acute understanding of human nature: the multiple opportunities he has for mentorship and the positive peer pressure he gets from all sides as he moves to outrun his anger and the ghosts of his past. This makes the relationships and story that much more dynamic and rich.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how in Ghost the main character publicly apologizes for a crime, even though it's hard. Can you think of any recent media stories where athletes had to apologize for making poor decisions? What made them feel genuine or staged? What are the elements of a real apology?

  • At first Ghost and his teammates compete with animosity, but once they bond, they learn to root for one another. How do you display good sportsmanship?

  • Outside of family, who's your favorite adult to go to for guidance and a listening ear?

Book Details

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