Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Castle Cranshaw, who calls himself Ghost, knows his game. He's always running from trouble and prefers to be on the basketball court over school. On his way home from school, Ghost is intrigued when he sees a group being coached to run. As he watches, he gets cocky and challenges one of the best runners to a race. The coach, fed up with Ghost allows it. The race was close, and the coach is impressed. So impressed that he offers Ghost a position on the team.

Ghost is reluctant, and knows his mother will not allow it, but the coach is insistent and his mother relents. The relationship between Coach Brody and Ghost is now cemented and it will have a profound effect on Ghost. What the coach doesn't know is why Ghost runs, and what he is running from...

The relationship between Ghost and his coach will frustrate you and warm you. A beautiful coming of age story. Jason Reynolds is a gifted writer. The verse flows and the word choice makes the text melodic. My first Jason Reynolds novel, but not my last. 

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 4.6 • Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: 6 • Lexile Level: 730 • Publisher: Atheneum • Pages: 181 • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-1-481-45016-8 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding