Ghost Boys: The ­Graphic Novel

Gr 4-8–In this graphic novel adaptation of Rhodes’s acclaimed novel, readers meet the ghost of 12-year-old Jerome, a Black kid, as he navigates his untimely death at the hands of a white police officer. As a ghost, Jerome befriends the spirit of real-life victim Emmett Till, a Black boy who endured a similar injustice, and Sarah, the still-alive daughter of the police officer who killed him. Like the original novel, the adaptation tackles themes of police brutality, prejudice, justice, and other issues that remain relevant for readers across a range of ages. While it takes some time for the graphic novel to deliver the same emotional impact as the original novel, it ultimately succeeds, with Jerome’s grief becoming raw and palpable. The artwork is at times abstract but always vibrant and puts a glowing aura around the ghost characters, which ultimately complements the story well.