2008 Best Books for Young Adults

A Long Way Gone- Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
by Ishmael Beah is one of the Top Ten 2008 Best Books for Young Adults

Oh-my-gosh, this book reminded me so much of another book called "Over a Thousand Hills I Walk With You" by Hanna Jansen. The main characters from these two books are survivors of terrible crimes that have happened to them and their families in the countries where they are from. The other book was based on factual stories told from a Genocide Rawandan survivor. This book is told from a village boy's point-of-view who lived in Sierra Leone. In 1993, his life got turned upside down when rebels invaded his village killing almost everyone. At just 12 years old, he witnessed the most horrendous acts that any child could ever see. He along with other traumatized boys traveled along the countryside looking for family, food, and shelter. At 13 years old he was picked up by the government army, was given drugs, and trained to shoot an AK-47. He spent about two years, watching movies, taking drugs, and brutally murdering his enemies. Finally, he was rescued by a UNICEF team and slowly rehabilitated in a group home for child soldiers. He was given an opportunity to address a UN committee in New York City to discuss about the lives of children in Sierra Leone and what can be done about it. Thankfully to this experience, Ishmael is still alive to retell this amazing story of tragedy and survival.
Wow, it's appalling to read and learn about what people in other counties are going through. I think, we are blessed to live in a free country and we so often take for granted the things we have. Well, this true story is an eye opener and makes you count your blessings. Everyone should read this story starting with high school students. It is very graphic in nature and you will definitely shed a tear or two. It's amazing that even today, about 300 children are being taken away from their home and forced to kill in their country's war.