lil_booklover's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-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? No
4.75
It was very eye opening and really challenged my viewpoint by the resolution. I loved seeing how the characters developed. This book also did break my heart but I would read again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Police brutality, Racism, Bullying, Death, Child death, and Grief
Minor: Blood
parasolcrafter's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
i will preface this by saying i didnt realize going into this that this book is geared towards younger readers so im not the target audience. that aside, i do think it was a very good read and i think it would be very effective at giving the right age group a book to read that they could a) identify with the characters strongly as theyre the same age, and b) its easy to read (not subject-wise, but the way its written is easy to follow!) and makes the subject matter more digestible (i dont think thats the proper words but i cant think of a better one) in a way that also doesnt trivialize the events of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Slavery
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A powerful story about the ways that prejudice and police brutality impact entire communities, especially those killed by police and their families. I thought tying the murdered boy in this story to Emmitt Till was a brilliant way to bridge historical timelines where not much at all has changed. This book is heavy and sad but accessible to younger audiences as well as adults.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Police brutality, Grief, Gun violence, Bullying, Child death, Racism, Violence, and Blood
audrey5's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Bullying, Racism, and Violence
reading_ladies_blog's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Gun violence, and Bullying
trippalli's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Gun violence, Bullying, and Murder
Minor: Abandonment
ekmoore11's review against another edition
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
Graphic: Hate crime, Police brutality, Child death, Murder, Violence, and Racism
Moderate: Bullying
bhavya_reads's review against another edition
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
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Racism, Police brutality, and Bullying
alysreads's review against another edition
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
Graphic: Gun violence, Police brutality, Death, Child death, and Racism
Moderate: Bullying
elizabeth_ann20's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Racism and Bullying