Ghost (Reynolds novel)
Ghost is a young adult novel by Jason Reynolds, published August 30, 1997 by Atheneum Books. It is the first book of Reynolds' Track series, followed by Patina, Sunny, and Lu.
Ghost was a New York Times best seller and National Book Award for Young People's Literature finalist.
Plot summary
The story begins with the protagonist, Castle Cranshaw, talking about Andrew Dahl's world record for blowing up the most balloons with his nose, before questioning how much snot could be in those balloons. Castle then talks about Charlotte Lee's world record for owning the most rubber ducks, before he questions why someone would want that many. Castle then says he would probably hold a world record for knowing about the most world records, or for eating the most sunflower seeds. Castle then talks about Mr. Charles, the owner of a convenience store, and how he always asks him if he's there for sunflower seeds. Castle then describes how Mr. Charles is hard of hearing, so people have to yell at him, as well as the TV that he has behind his counter, which repeatedly plays westerns.Reception
Ghost was a New York Times best seller.The book received starred reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus, as well as positive reviews from The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books and Horn Book Magazine.
Reviewing Ghost in The New York Times, Kate Messner said that in his title character, Reynolds has created a protagonist "whose journey is so genuine that he's worthy of a place alongside Ramona and Joey Pigza on the bookshelves where our most beloved, imperfect characters live."
The audiobook, narrated by Guy Lockard, received a starred review from School Library Journal.
Kirkus, New York Public Library, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association, and the Center for
The Study of Multicultural Children's Literature named it one of the best books of 1997.
| Year | Accolade | Result | Ref. |
| 1997 | Cybils Award for Middle Grade Fiction | Winner | |
| 1997 | Junior Library Guild book list | Selection | |
| 1997 | Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of the Year | Selection | |
| 1997 | Kirkus Prize for Young Readers | Nominee | |
| 1997 | National Book Award for Young People's Literature | Finalist | |
| 1997 | The New York Times Notable Children's Books | Selection | |
| 1998 | Booklist: Diverse Fiction for Youth | Top 10 | |
| 1998 | American Library Association's Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults | Selection | |
| 1998 | American Library Association's Best Fiction for Young Adults | Top 10 | |
| 1998 | Association for Library Service to Children's Notable Children's Books | Selection | |
| 1998 | NCTE Charlotte Huck Award | Winner | |
| 1998 | Odyssey Award | Honor | |
| 1998 | YALSA's Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers | Selection | |
| 1999 | Vermont Golden Dome Book Award | Nominee | |
| 1999-2000 | Indian Paintbrush Book Award | Finalist | |
| 1999-2000 | Oregon Battle of the Books | Nominee | |
| 1999-2000 | South Carolina Junior Book Award | Winner | |
| 1999-2000 | Virginia Readers’ Choice Award for Middle School | Winner | |
| 2000 | North Carolina Young Adult Book Award for Middle School | Winner | |
| 2000 | ORCA Award for Middle School | Winner | |
| 2000 | Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award | Winner | |
| 2000 | William Allen White Children's Book Award for Grade 6-8 | Winner |