Hey, Valley Park! All middle school students in the state of Missouri are invited to read books on this year’s Truman Readers Award list. I just finished reading on titled Ghost Boys, written by award winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes. This is the heartbreaking and powerful story about Jerome, a 12 year old bullied boy killed by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. Now Jerome wanders with other “ghost boys” who all suffered during acts of discriminatory violence. On his journey, he meets Emmett Till and learns none of them can rest until the world is free of racism. Ironically, the only living person who can see and hear Jerome is Sarah, the daughter of the police officer who took his life. Sarah is really struggling with her father’s actions. Can Jerome help Sarah understand that only the living can change the world? Will she be moved to make a difference? This though-provoking story will leave us considering the tragic effects of bullying, racism, and gun violence. Read Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes.