Students in Shannon Blanchard’s Grade 7/8 class are reading Ghost Boys and discussing the book’s themes of racism honesty prejudice compassion gun violence bullying remembering the past justice privilege grief and friendship. /SUE TIFFIN Staff Students discuss lessons learned in Ghost Boys
By Sue Tiffin
Ghost
Boys, a novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes that is loosely inspired by the
story of 12-year-old Tamir Rice’s fatal shooting in 2014, is creating an
opportunity for thought-provoking discussions in Shannon Blanchard’s
Grade 7/8 class at Archie Stouffer Elementary School.
Boys, a novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes that is loosely inspired by the
story of 12-year-old Tamir Rice’s fatal shooting in 2014, is creating an
opportunity for thought-provoking discussions in Shannon Blanchard’s
Grade 7/8 class at Archie Stouffer Elementary School.
The
themes of the book: racism, honesty, prejudice, compassion, gun
violence, bullying, remembering the past, justice, privilege, grief and
friendship are resonating with the students.
themes of the book: racism, honesty, prejudice, compassion, gun
violence, bullying, remembering the past, justice, privilege, grief and
friendship are resonating with the students.
“Great
experience,” said Blanchard of what it has been like introducing the
book to the class this year. “Especially since the characters are the
same age and [it] gives us a global experience to other parts of the
world (cultures, areas of the U.S., etc.).”
Many of the students in
Blanchard’s class told the Times that they were skeptical the book would
be interesting, but that they enjoyed both the story and the format in
which it is told as they began studying it.
experience,” said Blanchard of what it has been like introducing the
book to the class this year. “Especially since the characters are the
same age and [it] gives us a global experience to other parts of the
world (cultures, areas of the U.S., etc.).”
Many of the students in
Blanchard’s class told the Times that they were skeptical the book would
be interesting, but that they enjoyed both the story and the format in
which it is told as they began studying it.
“When
I first started reading the book, I wondered why they started with the
death of the main character, but it made me want to read more at the
same time,” said Aiden Milley.
Aleyah McGovern said she has liked
studying Ghost Boys, noting the story line is interesting and
mysterious, and compelling to readers. She said the book gives students
the opportunity to learn about what challenges people face in their
lives.
I first started reading the book, I wondered why they started with the
death of the main character, but it made me want to read more at the
same time,” said Aiden Milley.
Aleyah McGovern said she has liked
studying Ghost Boys, noting the story line is interesting and
mysterious, and compelling to readers. She said the book gives students
the opportunity to learn about what challenges people face in their
lives.
“Some
people have a worse life, and have to worry about bullying and racism
and have to be more careful with what they do,” she said in response to
questions from the Times.
Maya Johnson said the book is sad but an important read that increased her empathy for others.
people have a worse life, and have to worry about bullying and racism
and have to be more careful with what they do,” she said in response to
questions from the Times.
Maya Johnson said the book is sad but an important read that increased her empathy for others.
“This
book makes me think about the fact that I don’t have to worry about
this on the daily,” she said. “It’s sad to think about the fact that
black people have labels constantly on their backs. It doesn’t matter
how young or old, people just assume that black people are dangerous and
don’t have the same opportunities, let’s say, as white people. It’s
really disappointing that black people have to have this stereotype
constantly pulling them down and ‘super glued’ to them. Just because
someone is black doesn’t mean they deserve to be treated differently.”
book makes me think about the fact that I don’t have to worry about
this on the daily,” she said. “It’s sad to think about the fact that
black people have labels constantly on their backs. It doesn’t matter
how young or old, people just assume that black people are dangerous and
don’t have the same opportunities, let’s say, as white people. It’s
really disappointing that black people have to have this stereotype
constantly pulling them down and ‘super glued’ to them. Just because
someone is black doesn’t mean they deserve to be treated differently.”
Andy
Lippolis said he thought the book was an important one to read because
of how it speaks to racism and real-life situations. “And we can really
learn from this book because of these situations,” he said.
Lippolis said he thought the book was an important one to read because
of how it speaks to racism and real-life situations. “And we can really
learn from this book because of these situations,” he said.
He
noted that the story differs from his own everyday life in Minden,
where he said there is less violence and bullying in comparison to
Chicago where the main character is from. “In Chicago there is a lot of
racism, and in Minden, most of us treat each other equally,” he told the
Times.
noted that the story differs from his own everyday life in Minden,
where he said there is less violence and bullying in comparison to
Chicago where the main character is from. “In Chicago there is a lot of
racism, and in Minden, most of us treat each other equally,” he told the
Times.
Ali Mantle said the book has helped raise awareness that “this is happening all around us.”
“It
has made me think about how lucky I am to not go through this every
day,” said Mantle. “It is really sad that this is happening to people my
age all over the world. And [I] should also be more grateful for my
family and life and home and everything I have.”
Sofie Mills
commented on the interesting cliffhangers in Ghost Boys, and speculated
on later events in the book that the students haven’t yet finished. She
said she had learned important lessons about bullying, and the
importance of confiding in trusted adults to stay safe, as well as in
appreciating life.
“It
has made me think about how lucky I am to not go through this every
day,” said Mantle. “It is really sad that this is happening to people my
age all over the world. And [I] should also be more grateful for my
family and life and home and everything I have.”
Sofie Mills
commented on the interesting cliffhangers in Ghost Boys, and speculated
on later events in the book that the students haven’t yet finished. She
said she had learned important lessons about bullying, and the
importance of confiding in trusted adults to stay safe, as well as in
appreciating life.
“I
think this book is important because racism is a rude thing and all
black people should be treated the same as white,” she told the Times.
“I think my teacher picked this because there might be still people out
there who don’t treat black people the same as white and will bully
them. They don’t deserve that.”
think this book is important because racism is a rude thing and all
black people should be treated the same as white,” she told the Times.
“I think my teacher picked this because there might be still people out
there who don’t treat black people the same as white and will bully
them. They don’t deserve that.”
Nicole
Lee said she had already thought of police brutality, especially toward
black people, as being a problem noting that she had learned similar
lessons through history lessons and other books.
Lee said she had already thought of police brutality, especially toward
black people, as being a problem noting that she had learned similar
lessons through history lessons and other books.
“I
still do think that it’s all really important for people to learn
about, and stop,” she said. “I hope that us reading the book will help
people learn these things.”
Black History Month in Canada has been officially recognized since December 1995.
still do think that it’s all really important for people to learn
about, and stop,” she said. “I hope that us reading the book will help
people learn these things.”
Black History Month in Canada has been officially recognized since December 1995.
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