1. The cover of Ghost includes this question: Running for his life, or from it? Explain the role that running plays in Ghost's life. Why does he start running? How does his reason for running change?
2. What memory is triggered about Ghost's dad from the sunflower seeds? How does this flashback help develop Ghost's character? What other things bring back memories of his father? Are any of his memories positive?
3. Initially, what sport is Ghost interested in playing? Why isn't he interested in track? What do you think makes him decide to race Lu?
4. Consider the connotations of the world defender. What does it mean to be a defender? Many of the characters in the novel play the role of defenders. Choose a character and explore the ways that they embody the idea of being a defender. Why is this an appropriate name for Coach Brody's track team?
5. How did Castle get his nickname? Why do you think he likes the name Ghost better than his given name? Which name do you think suits him best: Ghost or Castle?
6. How does Coach Brody convince Ghost to join the Defenders? How does he convince Ghost's mom? How hard is it to balance athletics and academics?
7. Ghost has to deal with bullying at school. Why do you think Brad Simmons picks on Ghost? How does Ghost respond? Instead of fighting, how could Ghost have retaliated?
8. What do you think Ghost means when he says, "I got a lot of scream inside"?
9. What do you think Ghost means when he tells Coach, "I guess the only other person I'm really scared of, maybe...is me"? How does Coach respond? Do you think Ghost is hard on himself?
10. Think about the consequences Ghost faces as a result of his decision to steal a pair of running shoes. Do you think the way that Coach punishes him is fair? What would the consequences have been if Ghost had been stopped by the police instead? What would have happened if Ghost had never been caught? Why might it have been better for him to get caught?
11. In addition to training the Defenders to be competitive runners, Coach also teaches them to to work together as a team, helping them learn to be responsible and empathetic. What tactics does he use to teach these life lessons?
12. Consider the way the author contrasts Glass Manor with Sunny's neighborhood in Chapter 7. How does this contrast help you understand Ghost?
13. What leads to Ghost's decision to steal a pair of running shoes? Why does he feel like stealing is his only option? What could Ghost have done instead? What lesson does he learn as a result?
14. At the newbie dinner, what secrets do Patty, Lu, Sunny, and Ghost reveal about themselves? How does this dinner impact their relationships with one another?
15. Gradually, Coach reveals things about his own past to Ghost. What does Ghost find out about Coach's childhood and relationship with his father? How do these revelations develop Ghost and Coach's bond?
16. Ghost ends with a cliffhanger. What do you think the outcome of the race will be?
2. What memory is triggered about Ghost's dad from the sunflower seeds? How does this flashback help develop Ghost's character? What other things bring back memories of his father? Are any of his memories positive?
3. Initially, what sport is Ghost interested in playing? Why isn't he interested in track? What do you think makes him decide to race Lu?
4. Consider the connotations of the world defender. What does it mean to be a defender? Many of the characters in the novel play the role of defenders. Choose a character and explore the ways that they embody the idea of being a defender. Why is this an appropriate name for Coach Brody's track team?
5. How did Castle get his nickname? Why do you think he likes the name Ghost better than his given name? Which name do you think suits him best: Ghost or Castle?
6. How does Coach Brody convince Ghost to join the Defenders? How does he convince Ghost's mom? How hard is it to balance athletics and academics?
7. Ghost has to deal with bullying at school. Why do you think Brad Simmons picks on Ghost? How does Ghost respond? Instead of fighting, how could Ghost have retaliated?
8. What do you think Ghost means when he says, "I got a lot of scream inside"?
9. What do you think Ghost means when he tells Coach, "I guess the only other person I'm really scared of, maybe...is me"? How does Coach respond? Do you think Ghost is hard on himself?
10. Think about the consequences Ghost faces as a result of his decision to steal a pair of running shoes. Do you think the way that Coach punishes him is fair? What would the consequences have been if Ghost had been stopped by the police instead? What would have happened if Ghost had never been caught? Why might it have been better for him to get caught?
11. In addition to training the Defenders to be competitive runners, Coach also teaches them to to work together as a team, helping them learn to be responsible and empathetic. What tactics does he use to teach these life lessons?
12. Consider the way the author contrasts Glass Manor with Sunny's neighborhood in Chapter 7. How does this contrast help you understand Ghost?
13. What leads to Ghost's decision to steal a pair of running shoes? Why does he feel like stealing is his only option? What could Ghost have done instead? What lesson does he learn as a result?
14. At the newbie dinner, what secrets do Patty, Lu, Sunny, and Ghost reveal about themselves? How does this dinner impact their relationships with one another?
15. Gradually, Coach reveals things about his own past to Ghost. What does Ghost find out about Coach's childhood and relationship with his father? How do these revelations develop Ghost and Coach's bond?
16. Ghost ends with a cliffhanger. What do you think the outcome of the race will be?