A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
Book review by Louise Cottrell
Genre: Adult biography
Ishmael Beah is a typical 12-year-old boy. He enjoys rap music, practicing his dance moves, and playing soccer with his friends. But on one January day in 1993, what he and his brother and friends don’t realize as they head to Mattru Jong for a talent show, as that they will never be returning to their village of Mogbwemo again. War has come to Sierra Leone. The adults call it a revolutionary war—a liberation of the people from a corrupt government. But why do the liberators kill innocent people? Why do they pillage and burn down the villages? Ishmael and his friends soon find themselves wandering from village to village searching for food, struggling for survival, and keeping one step ahead of the rebels. When they are captured by the government army, they are given a choice: join and fight or die.
Beah’s personal account of his years as a child soldier is horrifying and unimaginable. In his book, he says that it was his father’s words that kept him moving despite his weariness: “If you are alive, there is hope for a better day and something good to happen. If there is nothing left in the destiny of a person, he or she will die.”
It was hard reading Beah’s story and learning about his vile actions during war, his terrifying nightmares that made him fear sleep, and his addiction to marijuana and cocaine. Perhaps what is harder still is knowing that the practice of using children as soldiers in war still exists and remains rampant. But Beah gives us a story not just of tragedy, but of redemption and hope. When he is rescued by UNICEF and taken to a rehabilitation center, every day counselors and medical staff would say to him, “It’s not your fault.” After many months, the day finally came when he began to believe it. By forgiving himself, Ishmael Beah started to forge a new beginning for himself and began to share his incredible story with the world—a story that will hopefully bring awareness and change for the thousands of children still fighting in wars throughout the world.
Rating: 5/5
Louise Cottrell has always had a passion for reading and writing and combines these loves through her book reviews. She is drawn to older books and seeks out stories for younger readers that encourage learning, understanding, and acceptance. Books that feature characters who overcome personal, societal, or physical hardships are particular favorites. As a former homeschooler, she enjoys sharing tips with parents so that they can use books to help expand their child’s worldview and sense of worth. Louise hopes that by reintroducing old titles to readers, new favorites will be discovered and shared. Her reviews can be found at www.thedustyjacket.com.