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Ghost Boys

Ghost Boys is a 2018 middle-grade novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ghost Boys is a 2018 middle-grade novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Set in Chicago, it follows 12-year-old Jerome after he is shot and killed by a police officer and continues as a ghost observing the aftermath, with themes of racism, police violence, and historical memory.

Plot

The novel opens with Jerome’s shooting and follows his experience as a ghost after his death. It alternates between the immediate aftermath of the shooting and Jerome’s efforts to understand what happened.

Themes

Ghost Boys uses historical fiction and fantasy elements to examine racism, police violence, and injustice in the United States. The inclusion of Emmett Till links Jerome’s death to broader historical patterns.

Publication

Ghost Boys was published in 2018 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. It is written for middle-grade readers and has been discussed in educational contexts for its social and historical themes.

Adaptation

In 2021, Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures acquired the rights to develop a film adaptation. Amy Baer and Michael Besman were attached to produce, with Byron Allen among the executive producers.

Key facts

  • The novel centers on Jerome Rogers, a 12-year-old Black boy who is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real gun.
  • After his death, Jerome remains present as a ghost and witnesses the effects on his family and community.
  • Emmett Till appears as another ghost and helps connect Jerome’s story to the historical legacy of anti-Black violence.
  • The book addresses racism, police violence, grief, and socio-economic injustice.
  • Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures acquired global rights to adapt the novel into a film in 2021.
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Canadian context

Ghost Boys is commonly used in school and library contexts, including in Canadian English-language classrooms and collections, because of its age-appropriate treatment of racism and social justice.

Frequently asked questions

What is Ghost Boys?
Ghost Boys is a 2018 middle-grade novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes about a Black boy who is killed by a police officer and continues to observe events as a ghost.
Who is the main character in Ghost Boys?
The main character is Jerome Rogers, a 12-year-old Black boy living in Chicago.
What themes does Ghost Boys explore?
The novel explores racism, police violence, grief, historical memory, and socio-economic injustice.
Who is Emmett Till in Ghost Boys?
Emmett Till appears as a ghost and serves as a historical connection to anti-Black violence and injustice.
Was Ghost Boys adapted into a film?
A film adaptation was announced in 2021, when Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures acquired the rights to the novel.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Boys
    Supports: Basic publication details, plot overview, themes, and adaptation information.
  2. BBC Bitesize — https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zqx48hv
    Supports: Plot summary and Jerome’s death in the opening chapters.
  3. OverDrive / BCCLS — https://ebccls.overdrive.com/media/3758487
    Supports: Synopsis describing Jerome, the ghost narrative, and Emmett Till.
  4. Deadline — https://deadline.com/2021/08/ghost-boys-movie-byron-allen-amy-baer-michael-besman-jewell-parker-rhodes-book-1234811355/
    Supports: 2021 film rights acquisition and producing attachments.
  5. School Library Journal — https://www.slj.com/story/ghost-boys-jewell-parker-rhodes-slj-review
    Supports: Publication details, age category, and plot summary.