Ghost Medicine by Andrew Smith

Bibliographic Information:

Smith, A. (2008). Ghost medicine. New York, NY: Feiwel and Friends.
ISBN# 9780312375577

Plot Summary:
Troy and his father are at a loss, communicating via notes on a legal pad, after Troy’s mother dies. To help alleviate his pain, Troy goes to work on his friend, Gabriel’s ranch alongside their mutual friend Tom. In addition, Troy and Tom befriend and assist Rose, an older woman recluse. Rose’s land is next to Gabriel’s family’s and has a herd of wild horses roaming it. Troy and Tom catch and start taming two of the wild horses, a stallion and a pregnant mare. Working on the ranch means more to Troy than just taking his mind off of his mother, it puts him closer to the girl he’s loved since childhood, Gabriel’s sister Luz. The three boys run afoul of the local bully Chase, son of the sheriff. Troy sees Chase stealing a horse trailer outside of Tom’s home belonging to Gabriel’s father. While Chase, and his father, claims that Chase was moving the trailer with permission, no one can explain the missing money from the trailer’s glove compartment. To further the animosity between the boys Chase attempts to rape Luz, but is stopped by Troy, Tom, and Gabe. Troy humiliates Chase and Gabe shoots him, grazing his buttock. Chase vows revenge.

Critical Evaluation:
It’s hard to imagine that this is Andrew Smith’s first novel. The book has multiple, complex storylines. There are many different relationship issues throughout the book. Troy and his father; Troy and Luz; Troy, Tom and Gabe; Troy, Tom and Rose; and Troy with Chase and his father are just some of the main relationship issues. At the beginning of the story, Troy and his father are practically strangers following his mother’s death, communicating by jotting down basic information in a legal pad on the kitchen table. As the story progresses, their relationship evolves. The relationships between the four best friends, Troy, Luz, Tom, and Gabe, also evolve and change as the events of the story unfold. The story starts with the four teenagers thinking mostly about having fun, but as the plot ensues each is forever changed, never to be the young, innocent from the opening pages.

Reader's Annotation:
A summer of intended fun working on the ranch, helping Rose fix up her place, taming wild horse, and hanging out goes awry for Troy and his friends when the local bully, son of the sheriff, tries to rape Troy’s girlfriend and then attempts to murder Troy and his friends.

Information about the author:
This is Andrew Smith’s first novel. He teaches advanced placement classes for high school students and also coaches rugby. Currently Mr. Smith lives on a horse ranch in the mountains above Los Angeles, California. His second novel, in the path of falling objects, is due out in 2010. Two more novels are due out sometime in 2011.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalking Ideas:
• Is it ever appropriate to keep the truth to yourself? Why? Why not?
• Have you ever been around someone who gets extra privileges because of who they are?
• Can you truly love a friend as a family member?
• What do you think the following saying means: Don’t judge a book by its cover? How does this phrase relate to Rose?
• Why does Gabe’s father disregard the missing money? Why is Tom’s father not automatically in the clear?

Reading Level/Interest Level:
The widest age range, according to the reviews, is 12 – 18.

Challenge Issues:
Under-aged drinking; attempted rape; attempted murder; animal murder; death; theft

If the book is challenged:
• Listen calmly to the complainant.
• Ask if s/he has read the entire novel.
• Show positive reviews of the novel.
• Show the selection policy.
If the complainant still has issues with the book:
• Request that the complainant read the entire book if this has not already occurred.
• Have the complainant fill out a reconsideration form.
• Set up a reconsideration meeting.
o Provide the reconsideration meeting members with:
 Positive reviews
 Selection policy
 Reconsideration policy

Selection Process:
I did a search on Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database with the following criteria: Award winner, reviews available, and age range from 15 – 18.

Five positive reviews

Awards/ Best Books Lists:
• Appears on two Best Books Lists
• Appears on one state/provincial reading list
• Has received one award


Reading/Interest level, selection process information, reviews, and Awards/Best Books Lists were accessed using the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database at http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~ISQuOB:1 accessed through SJSU and not available to everyone.