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

There were all kinds of stories told about the war that made it sound as if it was happening in a faraway and different land.

The memoir of a child turned soldier in Sierra Leone's civil war. Ishmael's description of his time as a soldier is disturbing, frightening and eye opening. After 3 years, he is rescued and rehabilitated and returned to live with family. When war reaches him again, he moves to the US.

An amazing account from such a young man. The book would be appropriate for mature younger adults because of the detailed account of a soldier's life. The rehabilitation and transformation of Ishmael would make this a valuable tool in demonstrating hope, belief and the strength of self. I think there was talk of the account being 'fictionalized' and maybe that is true but the story is too compelling not to read.

Over the last few months, I have found many books that are adult but appropriate for young adults and vice versa. This book is an example of this. It is found on the adult shelves but I have come across numerous accounts from young adult librarians that this book flies of the shelves.

Beah, I. (2007). A long way gone: Memoirs of a boy soldier. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
ISBN: 0374105235
240 pages