Ghost Boys

What if you could see the world through the eyes of a boy whose life was cut short by injustice? This powerful story lets you do just that, offering a heart-wrenching yet hopeful perspective on race, history, and the courage to make a change. You'll follow the journey of Jerome, a twelve-year-old Black boy who is shot by a police officer. As a ghost, he watches his family grieve and his community protest. He meets the ghost of Emmett Till and the daughter of the police officer who shot him, the only person who can see him. Through these connections, you'll uncover a profound lesson about empathy and bearing witness to the past to build a better future.

Jewell Parker Rhodes is the award-winning author of numerous books for adults and young readers and is the Virginia G. Piper Endowed Chair at Arizona State University. Her work, including the powerful Ghost Boys, explores American history, race, and social justice through the eyes of children. Drawing from her own heritage and a deep commitment to giving voice to the voiceless, Rhodes writes to inspire hope, empathy, and dialogue among families and communities about challenging topics.