A LONG WAY GONE: MEMOIRS OF A BOY SOLDIER by Ishmael Beah - 2008 Best Books for Young Adults Top Ten

I have to honestly admit that I was not fully aware of the genocide going on in some African countries until I saw the movie BLOOD DIAMOND. That night on the news, a story about Darfur caught my attention. A LONG WAY GONE: MEMOIRS OF A BOY SOLDIER by Ishmael Beah brings the reality of what is going on in Sierra Leone to the forefront. This book definitely deserves the honor of 2008 Best Books for Young Adults Top Ten.

Ishmael Beah shares the memoir of his life, servitude as a boy soldier, and escape in this compelling book. Ishmael's horror begins when he is with friends in a neighboring village preparing for a talent show and hears that his village has been attacked by the RUF (Revolutionary United Front). Ishmael and his friends attempt to find their families to no avail. Then they wander aimlessly trying to escape the violence. After many near misses of being killed by either RUF fighters or suspicious villagers, Ishmael and his friends have almost located his family only to hear sudden screams and gunshots. The village where the family had evacuated is decimated. Although he can't locate his family among the remains, Ishmael feels hopeless. When the military for Sierra Leone eventually captures them, Ishmael follows their directions in order to survive. Service with the military is much like what service to the RUF would have been. It leads to years of drug abuse and brutal killing done by Ishmael. He has become a dreaded enemy. Then UNICEF arrives and convinces the commander to let them take some of the younger soldiers. Ishmael is taken to be rehabilitated in Freetown and relocated with an uncle. Ishmael is even chosen to speak before the United Nations in New York City. He finally thinks he may now be able to live as a child, even though he is now 15. But the unimaginable happens when the RUF takes over Freetown. Ishmael knows that if he doesn't escape he will either be killed or end up becoming a boy soldier again. Ishmael barely escapes to Guinea and is adopted by a storyteller he had met during his trip to New York. He now resides in New York City.

WOW!! I believe Ishmael's speech is so powerful that he delivers to the U.N. This is definitely a book older students (NOT elementary) should read to realize what a wonderful life they have and to encourage them to do what they can to help end violence around the world. I will include Ishmael in my prayers each night for the powerful message he shares through his memoir.