Castle Cranshaw, who likes to be called Ghost wants to be the fastest runner in his middle school track team, The Defenders. He is determined to be the next Usain Bolt. However, he can’t forget the first time he really ran. The time he and his mother had to run through their apartment from Ghost’s dad, who chased them with a loaded gun, trying to kill them. He will be welcomed in the team by the coach, who is determined not to let any of his runners make big mistakes, and blow their big chances in life, just as he had. Ghost will learn, that if he can’t run from his life, he is going to have to accept it, and make the best of it.
I found this story very inspiring, and found it amazing that a young boy who lived in poverty and trauma could have worked to become a successful competitive runner. This was also a National Book Award Finalist, a very prestigious award.
Rating: 
(5 / 5)
Release Date: 2016
Author: Jason Reynolds
Publishing House: Simon and Schuster