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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
This is a good selection for discussing global issues in a composition or college/high school level literature course. I paired it with the movie Blood Diamond.
A moving memoir describing life as a child during was, as a soldier, and recovery from such trauma.
I can't begin to imagine a childhood like this; Ishmael was fighting for his life while I was living my boring childhood in America. I continue to be grateful for the life I have and saddened by how little I knew (know?) of the world.
I did find the ending a little abrupt. I wanted to know how he got to the US.
I can't begin to imagine a childhood like this; Ishmael was fighting for his life while I was living my boring childhood in America. I continue to be grateful for the life I have and saddened by how little I knew (know?) of the world.
I did find the ending a little abrupt. I wanted to know how he got to the US.
Very graphic, horrific account of a boy's two year period as a boy soldier.
I think this is a must read. We really take a lot for granted here in the U.S. Most people can't begin to imagine what others have survived. And just seeing what people are capable of surviving makes it amazing on its own. The tone in which the narrative is written may just be due to his English, but the fact that it is spartan and matter of fact makes it all the more beautiful and haunting.
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
Reading it with a middle school service club at Otterbein. Halfway through. I know it's going to get worse before it gets better. I feel both very lucky and very whiny about my own life.
Finally finished it; this one took a while. One thing I kept doing while reading was turning the book over to look at the author's picture on the back, in which he is smiling so joyously. He is the exact same age as me.
The way nature and the environment represented/reflected emotion in this book was amazing to me. I found myself thinking a lot about any book I had read that took place in Africa, from "Heart of Darkness" to "The Poisonwood Bible" to "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency." Because I've never been there, my mental image is shaped solely by these books.
I will also remember how many times rap music saved Ishmael; the lietenant who quoted Shakespeare; the psychological torture that results from having no aim in life; and the actions of the boys who were first rescued and brought to Benin House.
Favorite quotes **possible spoilers**:
"'We must strive to be like the moon.' ...I remember asking my grandmother what the old man meant. She explained that the adage served to remind people to always be on their best behavior and to be good to others. She said that people complain when there is too much sun and it gets unbearably hot, and also when it rains too much or when it is cold. But, she said, no one grumbles when the moon shines. Everyone becomes happy and appreciates the moon in their own special way. Children watch their shadows and play in its light, people gather at the square to tell stories and dance through the night. A lot of happy things happen when the moon shines. These are some of the reasons why we should want to be like the moon."
"'Every time people come at us with the intention of killing us, I close my eyes and wait for death. Even though I am still alive, I feel like each time I accept death, part of me dies. Very soon I will completely die and all that will be left is my empty body walking with you. It will be quieter than I am.'"
"The war memories had formed a barrier that I had to break in order to think about any moment in my life before the war."
"I would always tell people that I believe children have the resilience to outlive their sufferings, if given a chance."
"...I didn't know what to do in my happy state. I was still hesitant to let myself go, because I still believed in the fragility of happiness."
"Gradually I adjusted to being around people who were happy all the time."
"But on the first day of school in Freetown, all the students sat apart from us, as if Mohamed and I were going to snap any minute and kill someone. Somehow they had learned that we had been child soldiers. We had not only lost our childhood in the war but our lives had been tainted by the same experiences that still caused us great pain and sadness."
Finally finished it; this one took a while. One thing I kept doing while reading was turning the book over to look at the author's picture on the back, in which he is smiling so joyously. He is the exact same age as me.
The way nature and the environment represented/reflected emotion in this book was amazing to me. I found myself thinking a lot about any book I had read that took place in Africa, from "Heart of Darkness" to "The Poisonwood Bible" to "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency." Because I've never been there, my mental image is shaped solely by these books.
I will also remember how many times rap music saved Ishmael; the lietenant who quoted Shakespeare; the psychological torture that results from having no aim in life; and the actions of the boys who were first rescued and brought to Benin House.
Favorite quotes **possible spoilers**:
"'We must strive to be like the moon.' ...I remember asking my grandmother what the old man meant. She explained that the adage served to remind people to always be on their best behavior and to be good to others. She said that people complain when there is too much sun and it gets unbearably hot, and also when it rains too much or when it is cold. But, she said, no one grumbles when the moon shines. Everyone becomes happy and appreciates the moon in their own special way. Children watch their shadows and play in its light, people gather at the square to tell stories and dance through the night. A lot of happy things happen when the moon shines. These are some of the reasons why we should want to be like the moon."
"'Every time people come at us with the intention of killing us, I close my eyes and wait for death. Even though I am still alive, I feel like each time I accept death, part of me dies. Very soon I will completely die and all that will be left is my empty body walking with you. It will be quieter than I am.'"
"The war memories had formed a barrier that I had to break in order to think about any moment in my life before the war."
"I would always tell people that I believe children have the resilience to outlive their sufferings, if given a chance."
"...I didn't know what to do in my happy state. I was still hesitant to let myself go, because I still believed in the fragility of happiness."
"Gradually I adjusted to being around people who were happy all the time."
"But on the first day of school in Freetown, all the students sat apart from us, as if Mohamed and I were going to snap any minute and kill someone. Somehow they had learned that we had been child soldiers. We had not only lost our childhood in the war but our lives had been tainted by the same experiences that still caused us great pain and sadness."
This is a gut wrenching read to say the least. The tenacity Ishmael has to survive and overcome his horrific trauma is so inspiring.
Extraordinary story of a 12-yr old boy ordered to fight as a soldier in order to survive the civil war in Sierra Leone. Reading about what he had to see and do was horrific. It was crazy to think about the things he was going through in the mid-90's, while we were enjoying our teenage years and oblivious to it all. Learning about his rehabilitation and the people who helped him transition back into a "normal" life was inspiring.
I wish I could give it more stars!! I wish I could make it required reading....for everyone!! The devastating true story of a boy solider. This book will stay with me for a long time.