Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes Summary
Overview of Ghost Boys
When a Black boy is shot by police, his ghost witnesses the aftermath alongside Emmett Till. This New York Times bestseller with over 50 awards balances innocence and outrage, yet remains banned in some communities. What truths about racism can children's eyes reveal?
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Between Worlds: Jerome's Story Begins
Imagine waking up to find yourself watching your own dead body on the ground, blood staining your sneakers. This is how we meet twelve-year-old Jerome Rogers-both alive and dead simultaneously. "How small I look," he reflects, surprised by his diminutive appearance in death. "I thought I was bigger. Tough. But I'm just a bit of nothing." As a ghost, Jerome watches his family's devastation unfold-his mother wailing as police hold her back, his father punching walls in grief, his grandmother insisting that "every goodbye ain't gone," and his sister Kim retreating into books. What's particularly heartbreaking is Jerome's inability to comfort them. When he tries to touch his grieving mother as she lies on his basketball-themed bed with swollen eyes, his hand passes right through her. The apartment fills with mourners bringing food in what would seem like a celebration if not for the grief-stricken faces. Only his grandmother seems to sense something, turning when he moves or humming louder when he sits beside his father. As the family discusses his funeral, comparisons emerge between Jerome and other Black boys killed because of racial prejudice. His grandmother mentions Emmett Till, another Chicago boy murdered in 1955, while his father references Tamir Rice-"Another boy shot just because he's black." This connection across time becomes central, as Jerome discovers he's part of a long, tragic lineage of "ghost boys" wandering between worlds after violent deaths.
Life Before the Bullet
Justice on Trial
Seeing Beyond Barriers
Ghosts Across Time
Healing Through Truth
Bear Witness, Make Change
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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