Ghost by Jason Reynolds is an incredible middle grade book about running. The book compares running away and running to win. “The trouble is, you can’t run away from yourself.” – Coach. This quote encapsulates the book’s theme. Ghost can run fast, but he can’t outrun his problems. He will have to face them. This middle grade fiction blew me away. Ghost is the first book in a five-book series called the Track series. Ghost did not disappoint; it had levity and a realness that’s hard to define. I think it can be compared to Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give, but for slightly younger readers. It balances real horrific events with humor and lightness that comes from the family and friends. The book doesn’t shy away from abuse or drug use. These issues are in the background of the story, but they remain there. This novel is not about race issues. The book asks the question, Does the neighborhood you live in define your character? The first chapter is incredible as it sets up the premise, but also the comedy. This is a book you can laugh and cry at. I have coached both football and soccer. The coach and the relationship with the young runners are incredible. It captured that dynamic perfectly. Ghost is a reread for me. Ghost by Jason Reynolds was first published on August 30, 2016.

Why did I read Ghost by Jason Reynolds? The first time I read Ghost was because it was one of PBS’s 100 Great American Reads. This time, I’m rereading Ghost. I received an ARC for the book Coach. It is the fifth book in the series. So I’m going to read the series in order before I review Coach next month. Coach comes out on October 14. I’m also going to a book signing just after the release.

Plot Summary: Castle Cranshaw is also known as Ghost. He has been obsessed with world record holders. This started since he got a Guinness World Records book. Not any world record in particular, just he knows that one day he wants to be a world record holder. Ghost is a runner. He is not a runner in a typical sense. He is always running from something in his family life. He is also running from something in his school life. If Ghost had to pick a sport, he would say basketball. One day, on a stroll through the park, he sees a team of runners. Before this, he didn’t even know running was a sport. He watches their practice. He thinks he can beat most of those guys. Then the coach makes an open challenge to the team. The challenge is if they can beat the fastest runner, Lu. The challenge was just for the team, but Ghost lines up. Ghost has been bullied at school. He was mocked for being poor and living on the bad side of town. Now, Ghost has to prove himself. The coach mentions the challenge is for teammates only. He adds that tryouts were last week. Ghost just tells him to blow the whistle. Lu jokingly goes along with it. Ghost recalls his fastest run. It was when he and his mom fled from his drunk father, who had a gun. Ghost runs and the race, and it is too close to call. The coach sees something in Ghost and asks him where he trained, but Ghost has never run professionally before. Ghost doesn’t do the team thing, and his sport is Basketball. The coach convinces Ghost that his teaching can help his basketball game and get him to eventually dunk. Ghost agrees to join the team, but only if the coach can convince his mother. The mom agrees that he can’t get in trouble at school. He also has to get his grades up. Ghost has a lot to run away from, mostly himself. Can he live up to the pressures that are now put on him?

What I Liked: Ghost being the narrator made the story fun, even when it dealt with real-life struggles. I love the way Ghost looks at the world with wonderment. The novel has a great message. The coach is a fantastic character. His Olympic medal story is so heartbreaking. I loved Coach and Ghost’s relationship and how it evolves after secrets are revealed. The bits in the story that are just about running are written well, and I found them very interesting. The chapter headings all have to do with world records. I enjoyed the dialogue. I thought it really captured how people talk. This is my favorite quote: “The trouble is, you can’t run away from yourself.” – Coach. This quote is poetry and still resonates with me as a grown up man. I love the Guinness World Records book stuff I was obsessed with the book when I was a kid.

What I Disliked: I felt the mom character was strong. I found it hard to believe after what happened with the father. That she would let her son remain broken. She did not let him sleep in his room.

Recommendation: Ghost is for both teens and adults. The story will make you feel empathy for the poor and the reasons why some people steal. I think this is an important book and one that I would have clung to in my youth. I greatly understood not asking parents for something expensive. This is not because you might not get it. It might make your parent feel less because you do not have it. They might even sacrifice for you to get it. This book reminded me of my favorite middle grade books. These favorites include Hoops by Walter Dean Myers. Another favorite is The Contender by Robert Lipstye. I recommend my followers to read Ghost. The novel is short and well-paced.

Rating: Ghost by Jason Reynolds. I rated 4.6 out of 5 stars, highly recommended.

Ranking: I have read and reviewed 3 three books by Jason Reynolds. I will rank them from favorite to least favorite: 1) Long Way Down, 2) Ghost, and 3) Miles Morales: Spider-Man.