Thomas Middle School

presents...

“Trouble is, you can't run away from yourself." Coach snatched the towel from his shoulder, folded into a perfect square, and set it in the space between us. "Unfortunately," he said, "ain't nobody that fast.” Jason Reynolds, Ghost

Dear Parents,

We are excited to kick off our One Book, One School initiative this Thursday, October 11 during Advisory. We thank you in advance for your support of this project. The One Book, One School promotes a sense of community while fostering the love of reading. In addition, it provides an opportunity to find common ground and build a sense of community.

We have chosen to read Ghost written by Jason Reynolds. While this book is being introduced during Advisory, our ELA classes will take the baton and finish reading the book with students.

Jason writes with an honest and authentic voice. He writes with heart. The characters he has created are characters with whom kids can relate. The book Ghost will not only have our students laughing out loud but will also give them food for thought. Much empathy can be gained when students walk in another's shoes. Jason's writing style, stories, characters and messages are woven so carefully within the pages of this books will have our students asking for more!

Students will not have their own copy of the book but will have an option to purchase a signed copy of this book and/or other books written by Jason Reynolds. A hard copy of book order forms will be sent home. Here is an additional copy of the order form should you need it. Order forms are being collected in ELA classes and are due November 1. Books will be distributed to students the week of November 12.

#TMSBeTheGood - While reading Ghost, we will host a Soles 4 Souls Shoe Drive as this service project fits in nicely with this book.

October 24 - November 9

New and gently used shoes are being collected to support Soles 4 Souls

Collection boxes are located in homerooms

This video will be shared with students: the Power of a Pair of Shoes video

We thank you in advance for any support of this Shoe Drive.

Finally, we couldn’t be more excited to welcome Jason Reynolds to Thomas. He is scheduled to present to our entire school Friday, November 9. We are most appreciative for the continued support from the AHML in making this author visit a reality.

Please ask your children about this book and if interested, find a copy to take part in the conversation.

Sincerely,

TMS Staff

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Ghost

A National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature.

Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.

Running. That’s all Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) has ever known. But Ghost has been running for the wrong reasons—it all started with running away from his father, who, when Ghost was a very little boy, chased him and his mother through their apartment, then down the street, with a loaded gun, aiming to kill. Since then, Ghost has been the one causing problems—and running away from them—until he meets Coach, an ex-Olympic Medalist who sees something in Ghost: crazy natural talent. If Ghost can stay on track, literally and figuratively, he could be the best sprinter in the city. Can Ghost harness his raw talent for speed, or will his past finally catch up to him?

review taken from

amazon.com

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Jason Reynolds

"So, I'm a writer. And when I say I'm a writer, I mean it in the same way a professional ball player calls himself an athlete. I practice everyday and do the best I can to be better at this writing thing, while hopefully bringing some cool stories to the world. The stories are kinda like my slam dunks. Except, I'm dunking words. In your FACE! Ha!

Here's what I know: I know there are a lot — A LOT — of young people who hate reading. I know that many of these book haters are boys. I know that many of these book-hating boys, don't actually hate books, they hate boredom. If you are reading this, and you happen to be one of these boys, first of all, you're reading this so my master plan is already working (muahahahahahaha) and second of all, know that I feel you. I REALLY do. Because even though I'm a writer, I hate reading boring books too. "

- Jason Reynolds

taken from www.jasonwritesbooks.com

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the Track series

Ghost wants to be the fastest sprinter on his elite middle school track team, but his past is slowing him down in this first electrifying novel of a brand-new series from Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award–winning author Jason Reynolds.

Ghost.

Lu.

Patina.

Sunny.

Four kids from wildly different backgrounds with personalities that are explosive when they clash. But they are also four kids chosen for an elite middle school track team—a team that could qualify them for the Junior Olympics if they can get their acts together. They all have a lot to lose, but they also have a lot to prove, not only to each other, but to themselves.

review taken from

amazon.com

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Well actually....

This One Book, One School is really One Book, Two Schools! Students and staff across town at South Middle School are also reading Ghost! Kind of like one giant book club right here in Arlington Heights. Jason will present at both schools and there is an Evening with Jason Reynolds planned through the Arlington Heights Memorial Library (keep reading!)

Event Information

An Evening with Jason Reynolds (an Arlington Heights Memorial Library Event)

In addition to presenting to students at area schools, Jason will also present to community members Thursday, November 8 at 7pm. Registration for this event opens October 15. Due to the expected turnout, the presentation will not be at the AHML... rather, it is being held off site at Forest View Educational Center.

When?

Thursday, Nov 8, 2018, 07:00 PM

Where?

Forest View Educational Center, South Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights, IL, USA

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