OISE Book Blog!

“I can’t run away from who I am, but I can run toward who I want to be.”  (Reynolds, 2017)

Story Synopsis 

Ghost is a 2017 children’s fiction novel written by Jason Reynolds. The story focuses on the life of Castle Cranshaw – nicknamed Ghost throughout the book – who is a lost and misunderstood, black teenage boy and is currently navigating the dangerous roads of his own life. He is scarred from a disturbing life events he experienced by his father when he was a young child, and bullying from other students at school. Without the right role models in his life, Ghost leads a different life than other adolescents. 

He finds purpose and meaning in his life when he started running the track during track and field tryouts at the spur of the moment. He is immediately noticed for his gift in running, and finally feels a sense of meaning in his life, however, he still feels a disconnect between himself and the other runners on the team.

What Ghost learns along the way is that although he may have assumed he was only living a troubled and uncertain life, others in his circle were not living perfect lives either. It is this connection which helps Ghost feel like he belongs to something meaningful and is able to begin to overcome the past that haunts his present life and threatens his future. It is up to Ghost to run on the right track to a better life.   

Overall Opinions and Commentary

I found this book to resonate well with teenagers. The book is written from the protagonist’s perspective (first-person) and the author, Jason Reynolds, does an exemplary job in adjusting the vernacular to match that of a teenager growing up in the twenty-first century. I appreciate the choice of the book being written in first-person because I feel that Ghost is actually speaking to me. He does not find a sense of trust or belonging with anyone in his life, but he is able to really confide in me, the reader, to tell his life story. 

This book really emphasizes two critical messages. The first message is that one cannot judge a person from what they see on the outside. It is difficult to assume that people live picture-perfect lives just by how a person presents themselves on the exterior. The second message follows the first message which is the power of storytelling. Storytelling holds great power in amplifying a person’s lived experiences and sharing it with others to find possible commonalities with someone else’s life to our own. Through this type of personal sharing are we able to build a community with people where we feel a sense of friendship and belonging established. 

In sum, I would highly recommend this book to all pre-teens, teenagers, and adults. It is a simple and emotional read for the age category specified. I am also recommending this book to amplify the voices of Black authors such as the talented Jason Reynolds and his writing of this book. 

– Dante La Penna (JI 142)

Front Desk by Kelly Yang is set in 1990s Anaheim, California, and follows 10-year-old Mia Tang. Her parents are Chinese immigrants who struggled while working laborious jobs for little pay, and when they receive a job offer to run and live in a motel, it feels like they have found the solutions to all of their problems. However, the motel owner, Mr. Yao, is cruel and strict. Additionally, the more the family establishes themselves in California, the more desperate Chinese immigrants come to seek refuge in the motel from loan sharks. In the meantime, Mia wrestles with her identity at school. She wants to become a writer, but she struggles to grasp the English language, and her classmates make fun of her. However, as Mia begins to develop confidence in her (English) abilities and helps out her parents by working at the front desk of the motel, their luck starts to change for the better.

This is a coming-of-age story about resilience and kindness amidst truly trying times. Mia is a fiercely kind narrator that you cannot help but root for throughout the story. My parents immigrated from Hong Kong to Canada years ago, and even though they have never told me their story, I appreciate them and their sacrifices more after having read this book. I would recommend it to anyone who liked Wonder by R.J. Palacio and other stories about trying to assimilate into a community that does not seem to want you there.

– Kristi Wong (JI 142)

Dreamsleeves by Coleen Murtagh Paratore is a powerful book for students in grades 5-7. The main character, Aislinn lives with her parents and four siblings. About to start the summer after seventh grade, Aislinn has great goals and dreams she wants to accomplish. She should be spending her time hanging out with friends, going out to explore and meeting cute boys, but she’s stuck at home. Trying to take care of her four siblings, getting her dad to stop drinking and having a mother that cannot stand up for her children, it seems impossible to achieve anything. Being a strong-willed and perseverent girl, Aislinn is ready to make her dreams come true, no matter the circumstance. She decides to wear her dreams on her sleeves for everyone to see.

Dreamsleeves goes into detailed descriptions of the abuse Aislynn’s father puts her through on a daily basis. The text is hard-hitting, especially for individuals that may have had strict parents or had to take care of their siblings. Aislynn’s attempt to hide the abuse she goes through from her younger siblings and her attempt to provide them with a “normal” life makes me admire yet also feel sorry for her.

This is a must-read for everyone, Aislynn’s maturity and journey to adulthood showcase strength and resilience in the things we want to accomplish.

 Sea Change by Frank Viva is a graphic novel. It does not have comic panels, but rather, each page has text with accompanying illustrations in the margins. 

The novel is about Eliot, a boy from Lakefield, Ontario whose parents (despite his wishes) send him to stay with relatives in Point Aconi, Cape Breton. Eliot experiences major culture shock: he witnesses the realities of poverty, experiences xenophobia for his Italian heritage, watches attempts by big Industry to buy up the locals land and learns the pace of a small town. Eliot also experiences the beauty of Point Aconi: he builds a community, he learns the skills of lobster fishing, he spends hours swimming and reading in the attic. 

I moved to Halifax from Toronto at the age of 19. My culture shock was much less severe but the biggest difference I remember was around industry. The armed forces, for example, was a career I had never known anyone to have, until Halifax. 

I would recommend this book to kids 11 and older. There are some more serious themes including xenophobia, threats of physical harm and child physical abuse.  

Life for Rose Howard is not like the other kids in her class. She loves homonyms, rules, and prime numbers, has a diagnosis of high-functioning autism, and has a father who is insensitive to her needs. Luckily, with the support from her best friend and dog, Rain, along with an uncle who loves and understands her, Rose can tackle any challenge she faces. The biggest storm in history is headed for her town and Rain gets washed away amidst the hurricane. Rose must make her way through the journey of finding her dog with the help and support from her uncle and classmates. Ultimately, Rose must face the difficult decision of making the right choice even if it means losing her best friend.

My favourite part of Rain Reign is seeing Rose’s character develops through the adversities she experiences. As the story progresses, readers explore social-emotional concepts that lead to the growth of the protagonist and are given opportunities to step in another’s shoes. Although the autism spectrum is broad and is different for each individual, readers may begin to understand different experiences and perspectives as they get to know Rose.

This book is not an easy read. The book has a share of ups and downs, struggles of being a child with special needs, a father who is insensitive to his daughter’s needs and turns to alcohol to cope, and finding a place to belong. Through the sadness in this book, there are also many happy experiences. The book displays diversity in communities, pets, challenges, and a character with ASD.

In the novel Wonder, written by R.J Palacio, a young boy with a genetic facial deformity takes on fifth grade at his first real school after being homeschooled by his mother. Auggie or August, was extremely hesitant to start real school but after taking a tour and meeting a few friends, he grew to be excited for his new adventure. Unfortunately, his facial deformity made him a target to bullying from his fellow classmates, making his experience much less enjoyable. Luckily, he made a few good friends that stuck by him along the way. As the novel progresses, the reader gains insight into all of the emotions Auggie and his family experiences as he navigates his way through this new environment.

This story was both heartwarming and heart-wrenching at the same time. As a reader, you see the story from the point of view of Auggie and this allows us to understand his feelings deeply, through the good and the bad. A facial deformity that is out of his control has left him subject to bullying however, the support from his friends and family left my heart feeling warm and full. It is an eye opening novel as it demonstrates the reality of elementary school relationships, which often involve bullying. For this reason, this is the perfect novel to teaching kids the importance of kindness, empathy and understanding.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate and illustrated by Patricia Castelao, is a beautiful, heartwarming children’s novel that describes and depicts the life of a silverback gorilla, Ivan, and it is written in his point of view.

Ivan, the mighty silverback gorilla has spent his life in his domain at a popular Circus Mall for the last 27 years. He watches people come and go day-by-day to see him and the other animals held captive in the mall. Ivan has other animal friends that keep him company throughout the day, including Stella, an old ill elephant, and Bob, a stray dog who sneaks his way into the domains every night. The animals including Ivan, always long to escape the mall as they know how badly they have been mistreated. Ivan constantly dreams of life outside the glass walls of his domain and longs to meet other gorillas in the world.

Due to heavy maintenance and outstanding bills, the mall almost closes down until one day, a new member of the circus joins the animals. Ivan and his friends learn that a baby elephant, Ruby, will be joining them as a circus animal. Stella and Ivan do not want to see Ruby mistreated therefore with all their knowledge and artistic skills they do their best to help her get to the future she deserves.

I truly admire the personalities of the characters in this book especially Ivan. For a mighty gorilla to have such a soft and caring heart for a baby elephant really speaks volumes on how inaccurate and false stereotypes can be. I love how artistic Ivan is and how he uses his talent to try and save his dear friend. This novel was very heartwarming and made me quite emotional given that in reality, there are many animals that do experience the same feelings that the characters in this book felt every day of their lives. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves animals, true-based stories and surprises. After reading this amazing book, I am so excited to read the sequel, The One and Only Bob.