Coat of arms

For some reason I find their coat of arms somewhat ironic. How about you guys?

two incredible people

Laura Simms and her adopted child, Ishmael Beah!

Review - Response

        I would definitely agree with this review. William Boyd definitely made some very agreeable points that made me more aware of the meaning of the book and it's purpose. He started off by giving a little summary and background of Sierra Leone and the civil war and saying that the conflict was not so much about the war but between Ishmael's struggles within himself and his journey. I had never thought about it that way. I often wondered as well, how many people Ishmael Beah killed when he was a soldier.

        Boyd was able to explain and make me come to realization of things that I did not now how to put in words. It was interesting to read a response and agree with everything. He was able to summarize the main factors and points in the novel that we had discussed in class as a group. I would imagine the average person who has read this book would feel the same emotions and have the same thoughts.

        When he said “ Who of us in our 20s could accurately summon up our day-by-day lives as preteens?”, he recognized Ishmael's remarkable memory which plays such a big role in the book yet it is not specifically mentioned that Ishmael could remember very precise details that the average person would not.
        Overall his review was to the point. I was able to relate with his statements and agree with him on almost everything especially since he had actually been close to experiencing something similar.

Questions - Theme - Mikayla

1. Aside from survival, what are the main themes? Explain.

Memory. Ishmael Beah is able to remember very important details from his life. It is important because without his memory from his childhood, he would have never been able to rehabilitate. For example; his music played a big role before he was a soldier so when nurse Esther gave him the Walkman and cassettes.

2.  Why does Ishmael recall a happier memory as things start to get depressing?

He would recall happier memories of when he was younger, to keep his hopes up and motivate him to get through his day.

3. How did Ishmael's personality change throughout the story?

At the beginning he was happy and fun. He enjoyed music, soccer and hanging out with his friends. When he became a soldier he completely changed in to a drug addict and murder who had no mercy. He went from being a harmless troublemaker to a killer. After rehabilitation he was happy again, but was never the same as before. That could also be because of maturity over time.

4.Why was it so important to talk about his life before became a soldier, during his rehabilitation process?

When he became a soldier, he changed for the worse and by recalling his childhood memories, Ishmael would be able to bring back his sanity and loving personality. Because of all the drugs, Ishmael lost control of his mind and his values.

5. When Ishmael stopped talking about his childhood when he becomes a soldier what does this signify?

Ishmael thought he would be a soldier for the rest of his life and it was his only purpose of life. He gave up and thought he would never get his childhood back.

6. How did nature life help Ishmael through his journey?

Nature life helped his journey because Ishmael appreciated and admired the beauty of nature. It made him seem innocent.

7. What impact did the wisdom of his family have on Beah?

His grandparents seemed very wise and spiritual. Ishmael mentioned many quotes he remembers from either his grandmother or grandfather and they seemed to lift his spirits and help him get through the terrors because he could related to the quotes.

8. Why is it important for Ishmael to share his story with the world?

It raises awareness to people are aren't affected by was. It allows us to see the reality of some countries less fortunate. For him, raising awareness to end child soldiers is very important for obvious personal reasons.

9. Why is Ishmael so successful today and play a big role in society?

Starting with representing child soldiers in the conference in New York, I think that really opened doors to being a spokesperson and making a difference in the world by working for the United Nations.

10. As Ishmael mentioned, he didn't understand why he was still alive of all his family members and friends, why him?

We would say it is mostly out of luck, because of certain series of events, he was able to escape. Needless to say, that would have never happened without his intelligence and will to survive.

Review

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/25/books/review/Boyd.t.html?_r=0

Journal #4 - Mikayla

                This was by far my favorite part of the section and saddest! I want him to continue his story! After reading the story I really want to meet Ishmael, or see him dance and sing. It was interesting how him and Mohamed reunited like nothing had happened and started singing and dancing.

                I was so emotional when he met his uncle! His uncle seems so caring and generous because he gives Ishmael presents and food although he isn't the wealthiest man. It must have been so much for him and his family to agree on letting Ishmael live with them without really knowing the crimes he had done and personality he has. As Ishmael said, men in his society rarely cried so reading about his uncle made a big impact. I felt really bad for his friends whose family did not want them and who joined the army again. It just shows how strong Ishmael is even though he knew he couldn't stay any longer or he would join the army as well.

                It must have been hard for Ishmael to not be able to tell anybody his past. Not that he really wanted to, but all those girls shut him down because he wouldn't be able to answer their questions and it isn't his fault.

                Funniest part of this whole book is when he went to New York. Even before that when his uncle didn't take him seriously and thought they were just lying to them. Then when his uncle found out that he was actually there, he was just like O.K. well stay inside and tell us about it when you get home like it was no big deal! It was all just so comical how Ishmael was so confused with the little white things falling from the sky and how cold it was.

                It felt like a long and intense journey when Ishmael was trying to make his way to Guinea. It was relieving as a reader to know that he got there and was practically done with running away.

                Loved it!!!!

pink sky

Sierra Leone is famous for it's pink sunset skies

So inspirational

Don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe is right

Too often people stay silent when they see injustice

It is time to make a change in the world

And each one of you has the power to do it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=835capnaTbA

Journal #3 - Mikayla

            It’s surprising how these drugs like cocaine, brown brown and sniffing gun powder can be so effective and last for so long. It’s hard to believe how senseless and mindless these boys are when they are intoxicated. They barely feel any pain or remorse for what they have had done to themselves and to others.

I really enjoyed the way the book turned around in this section. The fighting scenes aren't necessarily my favorite because it is difficult to picture them and fallow them. It was nice to finally see the light for Ishmael’s future when the UNICEF representatives came, although Ishmael was extremely reluctant to join.

I understand from Ishmael’s point of view why he was so stubborn and negative about it. Even though what he and his army were doing was wrong, he had become part of a family and routine which were the only things he had left.  They had also taken away his gun which was his sense of security which can be frightening to somebody who had been through so much trauma and violence. I would also hate how they say ‘It’s not your fault” every time a boy acts out.

It was entertaining to see how the two groups of boys first reacted to each other that first night, starting off by threatening each other just because Alhaji asked the other boys where they were from. Clearly they were all on edge.

The patience and personal skills nurse Esther has is so admirable. It must be so hard for her to watch these boys suffer but so rewarding to watch they heal. I can only imagine how happy Ishmael was when he got his Walkman and music. It had been such a big part of his life before the war and it was like we were reading about the young Ishmael again.

Journal #2 - Mikayla

First of all I would like to say that this part of the book frustrated me a lot! I was so mad when he was super close to seeing his family and as he was seconds away, there was an attack in the village they lived in. I was so excited for him to see his family and I truly thought he would see them. Of course though, nothing is ever too good for long in this book. I would be feeling tremendous regret if I were Ishmael. I would have wished that I left the night before despite the loss of their friend.

It was really nice when that one village had a feast. They seemed very peaceful and happy. When Ishmael was describing the ceremony his village had when he was born, reminded me of The Lion King. Especially when he said his dad had held him up just like Rafiki did with Simba when he was born!

I was confused at first when Ishmael said there was a gun pointed at him. I was sure the rebels had captured them. Although they were the 'good guys' they are harsh. It is sad to read about the young boys who are only 9 and 11 and joined the army. Even though it's either they join or they run away and try to survive, there are clearly not mentally or physically ready to fight. 

Although the book got really intense at one point, this section wasn't as exciting and interesting as the first quarter. The mood right now is pretty gloomy and depressing. I can't in vision Beah describing any somewhat happy moments any time soon. 

Honestly, I didn't know much about what happened in Sierra Leone. I would really like to find a documentary or read another victims story. 

Check this out! It's a group of refugees who basically met at refugee camp and formed a band! 
http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/av/2012/03/song-premiere-sierra-leones-refuge-all-stars-mothe.html

Journal #1 - Mikayla

            Already, I find this book is really interesting and I would recommend it. The reality of A Long Way Gone and its horrifying details makes it a unique book.  Some events the author describes that he suffered through makes me feel strong pity for the author and his friends. I keep reminding myself that it’s based on true events because it is so unimaginable. Another factor that makes it seem so surreal is that he can describe his story with so much detail. At first I thought he had a remarkable memory, but my second thought was that if I was in his position I would never forget. It’s traumatizing.

            This particular part of the book had a big impact on me when Ishmael Beah wrote “It was during the attack in the village of Kamator that my friends and I separated. It was the last time I saw Junior, my older brother.” (Pg.43) At that moment I knew that the series of unfortunate events were only about to start for him. On the other hand I was predicting something big would happen because Ishmael and his friends had been some what lucky with escaping villages and reentering them.

            Reading this book makes me appreciate the good things in my life and the fact that I live in Canada. I have never read a book that I thought about so much other than when I'm reading. It’s like when you first meet somebody and you are still missing important information about their lives. You want to know more and you have so many questions! I am really curious to read if he will meet up with certain people in the future and if he did what their relationship is now. I also wonder who the people he dedicated the book to are.

             So far so good!