Twelve‑year‑old Jerome is a shy, hardworking kid bullied for being a “teacher’s pet.” At home, life with his parents, grandmother, and little sister is steady, and he dreams of becoming a basketball star or even the President someday.
But those dreams end when he is killed by a white police officer.
As a ghost—unseen by most—Jerome searches for meaning in the aftermath of his death. He drifts between his family home and the courtroom where his case unfolds, trying to understand why he cannot move on. One person can see him: Sarah, the daughter of the officer who shot him. Through her eyes, Jerome witnesses the weight of bias and fear. He also meets Emmett Till, another ghost boy, who guides him toward understanding and a sense of purpose.
Ghost Boys: The Graphic Novel is a powerful adaptation of Jewell Parker Rhodes’s acclaimed book. Setor Fiadzigbey’s evocative illustrations deepen the story’s emotional resonance, weaving together themes of race, privilege, grief, and justice. This compelling read invites readers of all ages to confront America’s long history of anti‑Blackness and to grapple with hard-fought possibilities of racial reckoning and healing.
