A Long Way Gone #6

Reflection

I loved this book. From start to finish this book kept me hooked and always thinking. I recommended this book to numerous friends because I learned so much throughout the whole book and I really enjoyed reading it. If Ishmael Beah would write another book I would buy it the day it comes out. Ishmaels story is an amazing on and he is an amazing author and knows how to tell the story perfectly. I can honestly say I was not expecting to like this book very much and after reading about a chapter I instantly loved it! I really enjoyed reading this book and I am happy I chose it for my outside reading book for the third semester.

Five Facts

1. I learned that Ishmael Beah was taken into the African at age 14.
2. I learned that there are more rescued child soldiers besides Ishmael Beah.
3. I learned that because the government doesn't make rescuing child soldiers a priority that there are organisations just for helping child soldiers.
4. I learned that it took over six years of therapy for Ishmael Beah to forgive himself for some of the things he did while in the army.
5. I learned that Ishmael now travels the world speaking to people and telling them his story.

A Long Way Gone #5

Summary

This week I did my blog on an article about how colleges in Sierra Leone, Africa are offering college education to rescued child soldiers. I chose this article because it relates to how Ishmael Beah got rescued, came to the United States and practically started a new life for himself. The article talks about how the kids are emotionally scarred and beaten but they want to give them opportunities to find themselves again. I really like this because it shows that the people of Sierra Leone care about their own and want to support the people of their country.

Review

I really enjoyed reading this article, it also led me to other articles that helped me to learn a lot more about the child soldier situation in Africa. I like reading about the people that go to Africa to help the children, I think it is really inspiring. A lot of the articles I read were very sad to hear some of the things that they do to these children but learning about it was good because now I am educated about what happens to them and I have a better perspective on the topic.

Focus

My focus this week was "do you think that what you have worked on has better educated you about the topic?". I would say yes! I have learned so much more about child soldiers and the African army since I started reading this book. I also got to learn the amazing story of Ishmael Beah and see some things that i can do to help.

A Long Way Gone #4

Summary

This week i finished Ishmael Beahs story A Long Way Gone. I loved this story, after I finished the book I sat in my room for about an hour just thinking about the book. I thought deeply about how Ishmael could transform from a sweet boy into a monster, and back into an amazing person. Ishmael tells a remarkable story and this book was an experience to read. He ended the book telling the reader about how he has come so far from a child in africa to a soldier, and now an amazing public speaker who teaches people about life and all the things that come along with it.Ishmael knew how it felt to have nothing and when he left africa and came to America he knew he didn't want anyone to have to go through what he went through so he dedicated all his time to educating people about child soldiers and doing everything he can to help them. I loved this book and will probably end up reading it again in the near future.

Review

This book has forever gained a spot in my heart, I've said it before and i'll say it again... I love this book! I have  recommended it to numerous people and I think this is a great book for anyone. Ishmaels journey is an unforgettable one that is interesting, educational, and engaging to read. This book made me think completely different about my life and everyone elses lives. It truly puts everything into perspective. I would love to meet Ishmael one day just so I can ask him questions that i have and hear the things that he might not have mentioned in his book. This book is amazing and if you think you might be interested in it, read it! When I first saw this book I didn't know if I would like it or not but as soon as i finished the first chapter i couldn't put it down!

Focus

This week my focus was "What are some things you learned while reading this book?". Well I learned a lot of things reading this boom but the one main thing I learned is that you have to be thankful for the things you have. A lot of people dont realize how fortunate they are, after reading this book I learned that it can be a lot worse. The things that these kids are put through is incredible and practically makes the kids go crazy because they cant handle such extreme and horrible things at such a young age. I am just so thankful that I am fortunate enough to have a loving family and all the amazing people and things in my life. This book can make you really think, you learn a lot! I suggest that anyone should read it.

Sources

Here is a video of Ishmael Beah.

Here is an article about Ishmael Beah.

A Long Way Gone #3

Summary

This week in my book it talked about more of his emotional journey through transforming from a kind soul kid into a complete monster, doing things he never imagine, then back again after coming to the United States. After he left Africa and came to America thanks to numerous foundations it took him almost 6 years to forgive himself for the things that he was made to do. Ishamel says that it changes you, the things you have to witness when your there could transform anyone. Ishmael hated himself for a very long time, but eventually came to forgive himself and now goes around the world, telling his story and helping others. In my mind Ishmael Beah is a true modern day hero.

Review

I am in love with this book, I have recommended to a lot of my friends and family. My sister read this book before me and said she loved it just as much as me. Because of this book my sister is now very involved in many foundations like Invisible Children to help kids in need like child soldiers in Africa. That just shows how this book can dramatically affect someones thoughts about topics like this. It is hard for me to put this book down because it is just so fascinating and it has gotten me curious about things like this. I want to finish the book but yet i don't because I wont be able to read it anymore. Unfortunately he hasn't written any other books, but i truly hope he does so i can pick them  up and read them.

Focus

This week we got to select a focus of our own choice, so I decided to ask myself "Do you like the authors style of writing? Why or why not?". The answer to that question for me is a solid YES! I love the way Ishmael can engage the reader and keep them hooked into the story. i feel like because he was was actually there he can tell it better than an author writing a story about something they haven't lived. Ishmael has lived his story and can project all of his feelings and emotions vividly into his writing, giving the reader an amazing sense of what is happening. When I read his writing I feel like I am living it, like I'm Actually there. If Ishmael had more books I would pick them up right after I finish this one, I just love his writing so much I want to keep reading it over and over again!

Sources

Here is a link to Ishmael's Wikipedia page.

Here is a link to Ishmael's Twitter page.

A Long Way Gone #2

Summary

In the Second section it talks more about ishmaels time as a child soldier. It talks a lot about the things going on that everyone could see and had to deal with and also talked a lot about things that only ishmael knew, things going on in his head. All the the things that ishamel had to witness and participate in were scarring for him at such a young age. Some things that happen would be absolutely horrific for anyone, but ishmael was 14 years old making it so hard for him to see and thing some about some of the things that he had to deal with everyday. Ishmael was a kind soul, this shows how things like this can turn even the best of people into a monster.

Review

I am still attached to this book. The book just gives you a sense of how good you have it and hearing about things like this is just horrible. Some people don't realize how good they have it and i am thankful that I don't have to go through what kids like Ishmael had to go through. The fact and matter of what they do is horrible and i think this book is amazing for anyone, whether you are 13 or 85 this book will be a great read. You really get to see what happens in other parts of the world. I highly recommend this book to anyone. I didnt think this book would be good for me, but as soon as i read the first two pages i was hooked, so if this topic even sounds slightly fascinating to you, then read it.

Focus

This week the focus was the authors perspective and part in the story. My Author, Ishamel Beah, is the main character, the book is written in his first person perspective. This book is an autobiography so the author wrote the book about himself. He Talks about all his memories as a child soldier in Sierra Leon, Africa. At age 14 he was taken and forced to be a child soldier. He has seen a lot of  horrible things and in this books he talks about his physical and emotional journey as a child soldier.

Sources

Here is a link to a child soldier picture gallery.

Here is a link to a video of Ishmael on CBS.

A Long Way Gone

Summary

A long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah is a true story about the authors childhood as a child soldier in Sierra Leon, Africa. Ishmael was truly a kind soul but by the age of thirteen had been forced into violence like no other. Ishmael soon found out that he was capable of horrible things and found himself a completely different person.

Review

This book is exciting, educational, emotional and you wont be able to put it down. So far I am really enjoying this book. I think for a person like me who hasn't been exposed to a lot of things outside a small peaceful community this book gives a look at what can be found in places around the world that aren't as fortunate as us. This book is truly amazing and Ishmael tells a truly amazing story.

Focus

This week our focus was questions. Here are a few I had.

• What has he done to help after he got out?
• Is his childhood traumatic for him to talk about?
• Was he ever injured or hurt?
• Did he have friends as a child soldier?
• Were there others his age or was he one of the youngest?

Sources

Here is a link to Ishmael Beahs foundation website. http://www.beahfound.org/Beah_Foundation/Home.html

And here is a link to a video of Ishmael Speaking. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K4yhPSQEzo