GhostGhost
Score Modern
What it's about
Running is all Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) has ever known, but never on a track team. When he impulsively challenges an elite sprinter to a race and wins, an Olympic medalist coach sees raw talent. But Ghost also has a lot of anger, and a past he's trying to outrun.
Why it's worth reading
It's on PBS's Great American Read. Jason Reynolds writes with heart and humor for young readers.
You'll love it if you liked
Long Way Down
Dear Martin
The Hate U GiveGood to know
It's written for middle-grade readers and is the first of the Track series.
By the numbers
- Readers86 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller23 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #74 of the 219 young adult books we rank
- #609 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1155 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
More by Jason Reynolds
If you like this, read next
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
The Book Thief
The Help
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Six of Crows
The Hunger GamesExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Ghost worth reading?
Yes. It's on PBS's Great American Read. It ranks #1,155 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 71.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Ghost about?
Running is all Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) has ever known, but never on a track team. When he impulsively challenges an elite sprinter to a race and wins, an Olympic medalist coach sees raw talent. But Ghost also has a lot of anger, and a past he's trying to outrun.
How long does it take to read Ghost?
About 5 hours (181 pages), or about 10 days at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Ghost?
If you liked it, try Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, Dear Martin by Nic Stone or The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.