A book for kids that really felt like it was written for kids, and not just to please adults. It's fun, fast-paced, and diverse. The main character has a realistic reaction to and understanding of his life. I bet some readers will feel motivated to get into running track after this, too! ( )

A good coming of age story. Is Ghost running from his past, or is he choosing to move forward. Depth of character shines here, with glimpses of more stories to be told in the lives of those around Ghost. ( )

Really great audio book. This is very much a character-driven book, which is unusual for a sports book. You expect the plot to revolve around Castle/Ghost getting better at track and winning a race, but it really revolves around Castle/Ghost getting more in touch with himself and his potential. It's definitely about how being part of a team strengthens Castle/Ghost and gives him support and confidence. It seems to suggest that C/G needs a strong male role model since his father is absent and he finds that guy in Coach.

I thought this would be a five-star book for me, but I felt a little underwhelmed by the stakes (how much does C/G change over the course of the book?). I also thought Reynolds spelled things out a few times when he should've let the reader put it together. For example, there's a part when Lou, who is albino, says that bullies call *him* "ghost" and I thought it would've been stronger if the connection between names we choose and names we're given were somehow more subtle.

Overall, C/G is a lovable character with a great, distinct voice and I definitely want to read more about him. ( )

It's been awhile since I've read a middle grade book. I didn't even really know that's what I was getting when I started this. It was a quick, but enjoyable listen. ( )

A boy named Castle Cranshaw whose dad is in prison for trying to shoot Castle. Mom works hard to make a better life for her son. Kid is bullied because he is poor. But then he gets on the track team, but he doesn’t have nice running shoes compared to the other kids on the team and struggle with that. He goes and steals running shoes, and of course gets caught. Then the coach tells Castle that he grew up a similar life. Of course and makes friends and wins the race.
My teacher read Ghost at the beginning of the semester, and the teacher brings it back all the time by relating it to other books or stories we are reading.