Reviews with content warning for Police brutality - Ghost Boys

Reviews tagging 'Police brutality'

Ghost Boys, by Jewell Parker Rhodes

23 reviews

shinypurplepants's review against another edition

challenging

Very very very not for me! I feel like the way this subject matter was handled has a huge possibility to re-traumatize black readers.

What I did like: Rhodes writing style reminds me of Reynolds' "Track" series. It's fast paced and puts you in the head (and emotions!) of our protagonist really well.

I would recommend this book specifically for use in a book club setting with parents/child or teachers/students that want to discuss this very "ripped form the headlines" type of story.

Content Warnings

amandalorianxo's review against another edition

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emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Between 4.5/4.75 stars. Heartbreaking, heart wrenching and a deeply moving story of a young black boy who unfortunately like many young black people prior, is shot by a policeman on duty. Jerome is trying to make sense of his ghost form, confused by the presence of other ghost boys too, Emmett Till in particular. My main concern (& my main reason why I gave this 4.5 instead of the full stars) is due to the ending. I wasn’t 100% in agreement with Sarah’s father getting a somewhat redemption arc. That didn’t sit right with me.

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trippalli's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A moving and important story reflecting on black boys killed because of racism.. From cops to mobs. This is an important history we need to recognize and talk honestly about. Black Lives Matter
Prepare to have your tearducts emptied. This is a moving but still hopeful story told from the perspective of a 12 year old boy shot in the back by cops while he was playing by himself in the party with a toy gun.

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ekmoore11's review against another edition

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informative reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

bildungswalton's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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bhavya_s_book_reads's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

"Is there someplace I’m supposed to go? I hope it’s heaven. A good place. But I’m still here—which is nowhere, not able to help anybody."

~ Rating- 3.5 stars ~

Content/ Trigger Warnings- Police Brutality, Murder, Grief, Loss of a Child, Nightmares, Bullying, Racism

Note- I have tried to include all the content warnings that I noticed, but there is no guarantee that I haven’t missed something.

-Mention of some these in the review-

"I don’t know. I don’t even know how I go, how I move. I just dissolve. Fade away, then appear again. Can I control that?"

Ghost Boys, by Jewell Parker Rhodes is about twelve-year-old Jerome, who is shot by a police officer that 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.

" Why am I dead? I shouldn’t be dead. I shouldn’t."

Ghost Boys was a dark and powerful story, and is the sad reality of our world. I want to say I liked it, but that feels wrong, as this book is heartbreaking. It is a middle-grade book, and the target audience is children, but I believe that this is a book everyone should read. It was not easy to sit through, but it was a necessary read. Overall, it is an important book that I highly recommend.

"Then, I feel an urge. Deep inside me. A recognition. Injustice. Tragedy"

Review written & uploaded on 16th March 2022.

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DISCLAIMER-All opinions on books I’ve read and reviewed are my own, and are with no intention to offend anyone. If you feel offended by my reviews, let me know how I can fix it.

How I Rate-
1 star- Hardly liked anything/ was disappointed
2 star- Had potential but did not deliver/ was disappointed
3 stars- Was ok but could have been better/ was average / Enjoyed a lot but something was missing
4 stars- Loved a lot but something was missing
5 stars- Loved it/ new favourite

.......................

3.5 stars. Review to come.

Content Warnings

alysreads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

A tough look at what happens and who is impacted by systemic racism and police brutality. This is a much needed book and one I will whole heartedly recommend to everyone. A great way to take a walk in other peoples shoes and remember to check your perspective and privilege.

Content Warnings