TL;DR
Ghost by Jason Reynolds is the rare middle-grade novel that actually earns its "must-read" status. It follows Castle “Ghost” Cranshaw, a kid who has been running from a traumatic past since the night his father tried to shoot him and his mother. When he accidentally joins an elite track team, he has to learn that you can’t run away from who you are—but you can run toward who you want to be. It’s gritty, funny, and profoundly human.
Quick Recommendations:
- If they loved the sports aspect: The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
- If they want the rest of the series: Patina, Sunny, and Lu
- If they like graphic novels with heart: New Kid by Jerry Craft
Ghost is the first installment in Jason Reynolds’ acclaimed Track series. The protagonist, Castle Cranshaw (who gave himself the nickname "Ghost"), is a middle schooler living in a neighborhood where "the scream is always stuck in your throat." Three years prior to the start of the book, Ghost’s father had a violent breakdown and fired a gun at Ghost and his mother as they fled.
Since then, Ghost has been a "world-class ran-away-er." He’s got a lot of anger, a lot of "alt-behavior" issues at school, and zero interest in organized sports—until he happens upon a track practice and decides to race the fastest kid on the team just to prove he can. Coach Otis, a former Olympic medalist with his own complicated history, sees Ghost’s raw talent and offers him a deal: stay out of trouble at school, and he can stay on the team.
The book isn't just about track meets; it’s about the internal race to outrun trauma and the importance of having a "village" (or a coach) that refuses to give up on you.
If you’ve ever tried to get a 12-year-old to stop watching Skibidi Toilet or scrolling TikTok and pick up a book, you know the struggle is real. Most "school books" feel like they were written by someone who hasn't spoken to a child since 1994.
Jason Reynolds is different. He writes with a voice that is authentically "middle school." Ghost talks like a real kid—he’s obsessed with sunflower seeds, he’s embarrassed by his "low-cut" sneakers, and he makes impulsive, sometimes terrible decisions that make total sense in the context of his life.
Kids love Ghost because:
- It’s fast-paced. Much like the sport it depicts, the prose moves. There are no five-page descriptions of the weather.
- It’s funny. Despite the heavy themes, Ghost’s internal monologue is hilarious.
- It feels "real." It deals with poverty, "roasting" culture in schools, and the pressure to fit in without being preachy.
We talk a lot at Screenwise about "brain rot" and the dopamine loops of apps like Roblox or YouTube. One of the best antidotes to the shallow, 15-second-clip culture is a book that actually makes a kid feel something.
Ghost provides a bridge. It’s high-engagement enough to compete with a tablet, but it builds the "empathy muscle" in a way that an algorithm never will. It forces kids to sit with Ghost's discomfort and his mistakes, helping them understand that there is a story behind everyone’s "weird" behavior. In a world where kids are quick to label everything "Ohio" or "cringe," this book offers a much-needed dose of perspective.
Ask our chatbot for more high-engagement book recommendations for middle schoolers
If your kid finishes Ghost and asks for more (which happens more often than you’d think), you’re in luck. The series is structured brilliantly, with each book focusing on a different member of the Defenders track team.
Patina is the fastest girl on the team. While Ghost is running from his past, Patina is running for her family. She’s navigating a "white" private school, her mother’s health issues (diabetes-related amputations), and the pressure of being the "caretaker" sibling. It’s a masterclass in showing the weight put on young girls in many families.
Sunny is the "weird" kid who runs because his father wants him to, but he’d rather be dancing or playing the drums. It’s written in a diary format and deals heavily with the grief of losing a mother during childbirth. It’s quirky, experimental, and deeply moving.
Lu is the team captain who deals with albinism and the realization that his parents aren't perfect. This book ties the whole series together, focusing on integrity and what it means to lead.
If they finish the Track series and want more sports-centric drama, this is the gold standard. It’s a novel in verse (poetry), which might sound "boring" to a kid, but it reads like a basketball game. It’s punchy, rhythmic, and devastating.
Recommended Ages: 10-14
While the book is categorized as Middle Grade, it doesn't pull its punches. Here is what you should be aware of:
- Violence: The inciting incident involves domestic violence and a firearm. While it isn't described in graphic, "slasher-movie" detail, the emotional weight of a child being shot at by his father is significant.
- Language: There is some mild "schoolyard" language and bullying. It’s nothing they haven't heard on a Fortnite headset, but it’s worth noting.
- Theft: Ghost makes a poor choice and steals a pair of expensive running shoes because he feels his own shoes are holding him back (and making him a target for bullies). This leads to a major "accountability" arc in the book that is actually a great conversation starter.
Learn more about navigating heavy themes in middle grade books
The most important thing to know about Ghost is that it isn't a "happily ever after" story in the traditional sense. It’s a "growth" story. Ghost doesn't suddenly become a perfect student or a professional athlete by the last page. Instead, he finds a community that holds him accountable.
If your kid is reading this, it’s a great time to talk about:
- Mentorship: Who are the "Coach Otis" figures in their life?
- Impulse Control: Why did Ghost steal the shoes? What could he have done differently?
- Trauma Responses: Ghost's "fight or flight" is literally his super-power on the track, but it hurts him in the classroom. This is a great way to talk about how our brains react to stress.
Ghost by Jason Reynolds is a 10/10. It’s one of those rare books that actually justifies the hype. It’s not "good for a kids' book"—it’s just a great book, period.
If you have a kid who is struggling to find their place, or a kid who is "too cool" for reading, or a kid who just loves a good underdog story, put this in their hands. It’s much better than whatever is happening on YouTube Shorts right now.
- Check the library: Or grab a copy of Ghost at your local bookstore.
- Listen to the audiobook: Jason Reynolds often narrates his own work, and he is phenomenal. If your kid is a "reluctant reader," the audiobook is a great "hack."
- Read it with them: It’s a short read (about 200 pages) and honestly, you’ll probably enjoy it as much as they do.
Check out our guide on the best audiobooks for family road trips
Ask our chatbot about age-appropriate Netflix shows for fans of Ghost