Bookstaken Logo
JourneyBookbuddiesBook RecommendationsPricing
Become a Bookbuddy
JourneyBookbuddiesBook Recommendations
Free Trial
Menu
JourneyBookbuddiesBook RecommendationsPricingBlogsExperienceAbout usContact usOutcomesBecome a Bookbuddy
Login
Back
Cover of Ghost

Age rating and parents' guide:Ghost

by Jason Reynolds

Ages 12–14

Ghost by Jason Reynolds is best for children aged 12–14. It has mild violence, a few mildly scary moments, no romance and no bad language. Worth knowing: Difficult family backstory (gun incident referenced).

Castle Cranshaw joins an elite track team, but running forces him to confront anger, poverty, and painful memories.

Get this bookFind books for my child

Content ratings

How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.

Violence
Mild
Scary moments
Mild
Romance
None
Bad language
None

Worth knowing: Difficult family backstory (gun incident referenced)

Dhiraj Bodade

Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on 21 September 2026.

At a glance

  • ★Novel
  • ★Part of the Track series
  • ★A steady start that picks up quickly
  • ★Mostly text
  • ★Emotionally light
  • ★A good pick for reluctant readers

Reading mood

  • Playful

Books like Ghost

Similar stories for the same ages, none more intense than this one should be for its youngest readers.

  • Cover of Travel Team

    Ages 9–14

    Travel Team

    by Mike Lupica

    Cut from an elite team, Danny forms an underdog basketball squad coached by his distant former-professional father.

    Know moreGet book
  • Cover of Heat

    Ages 9–14

    Heat

    by Mike Lupica

    Twelve-year-old pitcher Michael Arroyo fights to prove his age and keep his Bronx baseball team’s championship hopes alive.

    Know moreGet book
  • Cover of Football Genius

    Ages 9–14

    Football Genius

    by Tim Green

    A young football prodigy uncovers a conspiracy involving the Atlanta Falcons and risks everything to expose it.

    Know moreGet book
  • Cover of Wonderstruck

    Ages 9–14

    Wonderstruck

    by Brian Selznick

    Two children, separated by fifty years, follow parallel quests that converge at New York’s Museum of Natural History.

    Know moreGet book
  • Cover of Holes

    Ages 9–14

    Holes

    by Louis Sachar

    Wrongly accused Stanley is sent to a desert detention camp, where digging holes uncovers a family curse and buried mystery.

    Know moreGet book
  • Cover of The War That Saved My Life

    Ages 12–14

    The War That Saved My Life

    by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

    Ada escapes an abusive home during wartime evacuation and slowly learns trust, independence, and love with her brother Jamie.

    Know moreGet book

On these book lists

  • Books for 13 year olds

Is this the right book for your child?

Tell us your child's age, what they are into, how they feel about reading and anything to avoid. Bookstaken's free quiz picks seven books matched to them from 300+ children's books.

A good book is the start. A mentor makes it stick.

In a free 1:1 session, a trained Bookstaken mentor reads with your child, asks what they think and helps the reading habit last.

Questions parents ask

Q: What age is Ghost for?
Ghost suits children aged 12–14. It is a novel: a steady start that picks up quickly, mostly text.
Q: Is Ghost appropriate for a 12 year old?
Yes. Bookstaken rates it for ages 12–14. It has mild violence, a few mildly scary moments, no romance and no bad language. Worth knowing before reading: Difficult family backstory (gun incident referenced).
Q: Is Ghost part of a series?
Yes, it belongs to the Track series. If your child enjoys it, the other Track books are the easiest next step.
Q: What should my child read after Ghost?
Try Travel Team, Heat and Football Genius. They share the same kind of story and suit the same ages.
Bookstaken Logo

We are building the generation that reads the fine print, questions the narrative, and writes their own future. One chapter at a time.

The Path

  • The Curriculum
  • Outcomes
  • Meet the Mentors
  • Blogs
  • Success Stories
  • Pricing & Plans
  • Experience

Book Lists

  • Free Book Recommendations
  • Parents' Guides A–Z
  • Indian Books for Kids
  • Books for Reluctant Readers
  • Sudha Murty Books

The Club

  • About the Founders
  • Become a Bookbuddy
  • Join Parent Community

Here for You

  • Talk to a Founder
  • Parents' Guide
  • Contact Us

Privacy and Terms

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Happiness Guarantee (Refund Policy)
  • Cookie Policy

#Made with ❤️ for kids

© 2026 Bookstaken Pvt. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Bookstaken