A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah

Beah, I. (2007). A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Solider. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux. ISBN: 0374105235

Plot Summary

  Ishmael's life is destroyed when his village is attacked by the RUF. While trying to locate his family, he travels village to village, only to be made into a child solider in order to survive. Ishmael becomes a junior lieutenant for his skill of executing war prisoners. He is exposed to extreme violence and drug use. 

  He is rescued by UNICEF, rehabilitated, and eventually adopted by an uncle in the United States. 

Critical Evaluation

  No matter how many times you have read news stories about child soldiers, this book is a terrible and heart wrenching story about innocence lost. I cried at the life he had before being captured and I cried when he was saved. I know that there are people who claim that this story is false, if so, it is a darn good story about the real horrors that are still occurring. 

 Readers Annotation

  How can something as evil as war, turn into something good?

Information about the Author

  Ishmael Beah was born November 23, 1980 in Mattru Jong, Bonthe District, Sierra Leon. He was a child solider who underwent and engaged in extreme violence and drug use. He was rescued, rehabilitated, and is now a fighter for child abuse during war. 

  While at college, he pursues advocacy work against the abuse of children during war. He has spoken at the UN and has met with world leaders. He continues to speak at schools and special events. 

Genre

  Memoir

Curriculum Ties

  Can be used in history class.

Booktalking Ideas

  - Can child soldiers really be rehabilitated?

  - What can we do to help child soldiers?

  - Can you think of other instances of war when children were used in battle?

Reading Level/Interest Level

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

  Violence, drug use, abuse

   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I asked my friend for a non fiction recommendation for teens that has stuck out.