Summary: In this story Ishmael Beah, a 12-year-old, is living through hard times. The African Civil war is going on and he tries to escape the rebels and the military. Unwillingly, he joins the military at age 13 on the front lines with 7-years-olds. He killed so many people throughout his military years. The African government sucked all the innocence from him. For 3 years he fought in military and at age 16 was sent to a rehabilitation center by the UNICEF. He struggles to understand his past and to imagine a future. The love and compassion he finds at the center from a nurse named Esther opens up an understanding and forgiveness within himself. Ishmael is welcomed by his extended family in Freetown and is again saved by their support
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Before the war, he enjoys a happy childhood in his village. During the war, he becomes a killing machine capable of horrible acts of violence. When UNICEF rescues the boy soldiers from the front lines of war, Ishmael is rehabilitated. Through the love and compassion of his nurse and extended family, Ishmael learns to manage his anger and to forgive himself for the war that wasn't his fault. He learns to accept the help of others and to use his story to educate the world about the atrocities of how war affects children. Ishmael helped his brothers and was very brave.
Least Favorite Part: The war was and still is horrible. My least favorite part is when Ishmael was chosen by the rebels. That was horrible. He was forced to kill his friends if he wanted to live. He didn’t do it and managed to escape with his brothers. But the thought of it was horrible. It would’ve been so sad if that happened.
Opinion: This book was amazing. It was a big eye-opener to how lucky I and my fellow classmates have it. All those kids are being forced into killing family members that they love, while we are frusurated we didn’t get a desert. I recommend this to all kids who think they have it rough. And all kids in general. It is one of the best books I’ve ever
Before the war, he enjoys a happy childhood in his village. During the war, he becomes a killing machine capable of horrible acts of violence. When UNICEF rescues the boy soldiers from the front lines of war, Ishmael is rehabilitated. Through the love and compassion of his nurse and extended family, Ishmael learns to manage his anger and to forgive himself for the war that wasn't his fault. He learns to accept the help of others and to use his story to educate the world about the atrocities of how war affects children. Ishmael helped his brothers and was very brave.
Least Favorite Part: The war was and still is horrible. My least favorite part is when Ishmael was chosen by the rebels. That was horrible. He was forced to kill his friends if he wanted to live. He didn’t do it and managed to escape with his brothers. But the thought of it was horrible. It would’ve been so sad if that happened.
Opinion: This book was amazing. It was a big eye-opener to how lucky I and my fellow classmates have it. All those kids are being forced into killing family members that they love, while we are frusurated we didn’t get a desert. I recommend this to all kids who think they have it rough. And all kids in general. It is one of the best books I’ve ever