Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Book Review Alert: Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes



 Book Review Alert: Ghost Boys

Author: Jewell Parker Rhodes

Paperback edition

Published: April 17, 2018

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 

ASIN: 978-0316262262

5 stars


πŸ“– When the present echoes the past, it answers the lingering questions of a 12-year-old in the afterlife. πŸ‘»

Jerome is a 12-year-old African American boy who is killed by a white police officer. This is where his story begins. As a ghost πŸ‘», Jerome can see everything that happens after his death—from the moment his life is taken to the trial that follows ⚖️. He witnesses the deep pain πŸ’” and devastation his death brings to his family and his neighborhood.

Only one person can see Jerome: Sarah, the daughter of the police officer who killed him. Through this unexpected connection 🀝, Jerome begins to understand the impact of his death beyond his own family. He is soon introduced to a community of boys like himself, known as the Ghost Boys πŸ‘¦πŸΎπŸ‘¦πŸΏπŸ‘¦πŸ½. One of them helps Jerome adjust to death and explains why Jerome has become the most well-known among them ⭐.

Join Jerome and Sarah on an emotional journey πŸ›€️ as they uncover the truth about what really happened and discover that Jerome’s death mirrors the tragic deaths of young boys from the past πŸ•Š️.


Ghost Boys is a powerful and timely book. It is an essential read for parents who want to bridge the gap between past and present conversations about race πŸ–€πŸ€ŽπŸ€. Many children may not know the story of Emmett Till but are familiar with Tamir Rice. This book connects both histories in a way that is accessible and impactful. It can be described as The Hate U Give for a younger audience—thought-provoking 🧠, emotional 😒, and absolutely necessary πŸ“š.

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Book Review Alert: Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

  Book Review Alert: Ghost Boys Author: Jewell Parker Rhodes Paperback edition Published: April 17, 2018 Publisher: Little, Brown Books for ...