Jason Reynolds
Ghost is a fast paced story about Castle Cranshaw, aka Ghost. This book is the first in Jason Reynolds' Track series about kids who have a chance at the Junior Olympics. Ghost loves quoting World Records, and each chapter begins with him creating a world record about his life such as "World Record for the Worst Day Ever." Ghost has certainly seen difficult times. In the beginning chapters, we learn that his mother and Ghost ran from their father when he held a gun on them. Since then, he has been running into trouble and running from himself.
One day as Ghost is wandering the city, he sees kids running track, something he has no interest in as his sport is basketball, and he already knows he can run like the wind. But after jumping on the track and beating the star runner, Coach Brody gives him a chance to join the team. Under Coach's guidance, he learns discipline, trust, and becomes an even better runner. Ghost begins to know the other runners (two who are characters in the following books) and form friendships, something he always lacked before. Most importantly, Ghost learns the importance of a team, and how to move forward in life, instead of always looking back.
One day as Ghost is wandering the city, he sees kids running track, something he has no interest in as his sport is basketball, and he already knows he can run like the wind. But after jumping on the track and beating the star runner, Coach Brody gives him a chance to join the team. Under Coach's guidance, he learns discipline, trust, and becomes an even better runner. Ghost begins to know the other runners (two who are characters in the following books) and form friendships, something he always lacked before. Most importantly, Ghost learns the importance of a team, and how to move forward in life, instead of always looking back.