First published 2017
Castle Cranshaw goes by Ghost for good reason. He has been running since the night his father chased him and his mother through their apartment with a loaded gun. Now Ghost runs from his problems at school and in his neighborhood. Everything changes when he meets Coach, a former Olympic medalist who spots Ghost's natural speed during track practice. Coach invites Ghost to join an elite middle school team alongside three other talented runners: Lu, Patina, and Sunny. Each teammate carries their own baggage, and their clashing personalities create constant friction. The team has potential to reach the Junior Olympics, but only if they can work together. Ghost must learn to channel his raw talent and confront the trauma that has kept him running in the wrong direction. His past threatens to derail everything he might achieve.
Genres: fiction, african-american, coming-of-age, contemporary, adolescence, sports
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, overcoming-adversity
Setting: Apartment, Junior Olympics, Neighborhood, School, Track
Period: Night
208 pages · Paperback · Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
Content warnings: abuse, violence