Ghost Boys

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Ghost Boys Cover Book

Ghost Boys is a historical fiction book written by Jewell Parker Rhodes and published in April 17, 2018. This book got awards of Golden Kite Award for Middle Grade Fiction and nominations for Goodreads Choice Awards Best Middle Grade & Children's.

Plot

Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. As a ghost, he observes the devastation that's been unleashed on his family and community in the wake of what they see as an unjust and brutal killing. Soon Jerome meets another ghost: Emmett Till, a boy from a very different time but with similar circumstances. Emmett helps Jerome process what has happened, on a journey towards recognizing how historical racism may have led to the events that ended his life. Jerome also meets Sarah, the daughter of the police officer, who grapples with her father's actions. [1]

Controversy

This book shows common discrimination and racism that usually occurs in the black community. It tells a story about Jerome Rogers, a Black 12-year-old boy, has been shot and killed by a police officer, Officer Moore, in his Chicago neighborhood because he was believed to be armed when he was holding a toy gun. Before his death, Jerome was a victim of bullying because of his appearance. Jerome's family wants to pursue criminal charges against Officer Moore, so a hearing begins to determine if there is sufficient evidence to charge Officer Moore with any crimes. But, after months of hearings, Officer Moore is not charged with any crimes, although Jerome is able to see how distraught he is about the shooting. When Jerome becomes a ghost, Jerome meets another ghost, Emmett Till. Emmett helps Jerome understand the deep-rooted legacy of slavery and violence against Black people in the United States. Jerome understands Emmett Till's story and begins to learn that racism is not a practice confined to the South, but very much alive in Chicago. He begins seeing the ghosts of other young Black boys, realizing that his mission as a ghost is to ensure that no more boys after him lose their lives to senseless violence. [2]

References

  1. Ghost Boys. Amazon. Retrieved January 25 2021
  2. Ghost Boys Summary & Study Guide Description. Bookrags. Retrieved January 25 2021