Illustrated by Setor Fiadzigbey

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Experience Jewell Parker Rhodes’s award-winning storytelling in this tender yet visceral graphic novel adaptation of her New York Times bestselling novel, with poignant illustrations by Setor Fiadzigbey.

Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. As a ghost, he observes the devastation that is unleashed on his family and community in the wake of this unjust and brutal killing.

Soon Jerome meets another ghost: Emmett Till, a boy from a very different time but similar circumstances. Emmett helps Jerome process what has happened, on a journey toward recognizing how historical racism may have led to the events that ended his life. Jerome also meets Sarah, the daughter of the police officer who shot him, as she grapples with her father’s actions.

Now gorgeously a graphic novel with gripping artwork from Black Panther illustrator Setor Fiadzigbey, Ghost Boys once again deftly explores the historical and sociopolitical layers involved in how children and families face the complexities of today’s world—and how one boy, in particular, comes to understand American Blackness in the aftermath of his own death.

Praise for Ghost Boys: A New York Times BestsellerAn IndieBound BestsellerThe #1 Kids' Indies Next PickA 2018 Nerdies List BookAn ALA 2019 Children's Notables List Pick
"This was one of my most anticipated 2018 books and I was not disappointed. A must read."
Angie Thomas, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give
* "Rhodes captures the all-too-real pain of racial injustice and provides an important window for readers who are just beginning to explore the ideas of privilege and implicit bias."
School Library Journal, starred review
* "An excellent novel that delves into the timely topic of racism...with the question of whether or not we really have come far when dealing with race relations."
School Library Connection, starred review
"In writing that's spare and powerful, Rhodes takes us into the hearts and minds of those who are left behind, and then out into a vast and luminous world where ghost boys wander among the living, pursuing their mysterious mission. Rhodes has achieved something remarkable here: a kid's-eye-view of violence and racism that balances innocence and outrage, wrenching loss and hard-won hope."
Chicago Tribune
"A timely, challenging book that's worthy of a read, further discussion, and action."
Kirkus Reviews
"[A] potent story that deserves to be read."
VOYA
"Ghost Boys is powerful in prose, and so important at this time. I hope parents will read this book to their children."
The Monitor

On Sale: Dec 2, 2025
Page Count: 264 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Ink
ISBN-13: 9780316279673

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Jewell Parker Rhodes

About the Author

Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes is the New York Times bestselling author of several books for youth, including Ghost Boys; Black Brother, Black Brother; Paradise on Fire; and Treasure Island: Runaway Gold. She is the recipient of many distinguished awards and honors, including the Coretta Scott King Author Honor, the Green Earth Book Award, an NAACP Image Award nomination, the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award, and the Octavia E. Butler Award. Rhodes is the Founding Artistic Director of the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing and Virginia G. Piper Endowed Chair at Arizona State University. She invites you to connect with her at jewellparkerrhodes.com.

Setor Fiadzigbey was born and raised in Accra, Ghana. As a child, he had an active imagination— often playing out stories visually in his mind. He is blessed to do this even more as an adult, helping to craft memorable stories as an artist and illustrator. He has had the privilege of working on some notable titles such as Marvel’s Black Panther Legends comic series, and the New York Times bestselling children’s book Bunheads by Misty Copeland. He has also done work in visual development for animation. He lives in Ghana with his family.

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