Characters
Ghost’s real first name.
What is Castle Cranshaw?
The place where Ghost first challenges Lu to a race.
What is the track?
This theme shows that people deserve second chances.
What is redemption?
Ghost is known for being fast at this activity before joining track.
What is running away?
A nickname meaning something difficult to catch or hold onto.
What is Ghost?
The track coach who gives Ghost a chance.
Who is Coach Brody?
Ghost accidentally gets into trouble here after trying on expensive shoes.
What is a sporting goods store?
Ghost struggles with controlling this throughout much of the story.
What is his anger/temper?
The meal Coach Brody often buys for runners after practice.
What is Chinese food?
The author’s use of memories to explain Ghost’s past.
What are flashbacks?
The teammate nicknamed for eating sunflower seeds.
Who is Sunny?
Ghost and his mother escaped from this dangerous situation years earlier.
What is Ghost’s father trying to hurt them with a gun?
Coach Brody teaches Ghost that talent alone is not enough without this.
What is discipline?
Ghost’s mother works long hours at this type of job.
What is a hospital (nursing assistant/healthcare work)?
Comparing two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”
What is a metaphor?
The fast runner who likes expensive things and brags.
Who is Lu?
Coach Brody makes Ghost do this after he behaves badly.
What is run extra laps or complete extra conditioning?
Ghost learns teammates need this to succeed together.
What is trust?
The expensive item Ghost wants but cannot afford.
What are basketball shoes/running shoes?
The feeling created when Ghost remembers his father.
What is fear or tension?
The quiet runner who rarely speaks but runs incredibly fast.
Who is Patina?
This character loves to watch Western movies as loud as possible.
Who is Mr. Charles?
A major theme showing people are more than their past mistakes.
What is growth/change?
Ghost steals these because he wants to fit in and run better.
What are running shoes?
The conflict Ghost experiences when deciding between right and wrong.
What is internal conflict?