Ghost is a novel by Jason Reynolds which follows seventh-grader Castle (Ghost) Cranshaw as he joins a track team and struggles to deal with his past and his present. As a child, Ghost had to flee his apartment with his mother when his father, in rage, he tried to kill them. They took shelter at Mr. Charles’s shop, where Mr. Charles took care of them and called the police, which saved their lives. Years later, Ghost remains loyal and friendly with Mr. Charles, visiting him daily. Mr. Charles constantly encourages Ghost like a grandfather, always urging Ghost to do his best and break a world record. Ghost often studies the Guinness Book of World Records, which was given to him by Mr. Charles.
