Book Summary- Rap

A Sierra Leone native named Ishmael Beah,
At the age of twelve, lost the right to be free
Drafted in the army, his life changed
A life of easiness had been exchanged
His loving family gone
Everything was wrong
Feeling nothing when slaughtering men
His life was much different now than it was then
Revolved around fighting and drugs
He now was living among the bugs
Rescued by UNICEF at age sixteen,
They saved him from being a killing machine
His heart remained the same
Like a fire with flame
After a long rehabilitation,
He had gone through transformation
His uncle took him in
Took him for a spin
The rebels and army became one
Taking over the city was done
His uncle passed
So he ran away fast
Out of the country at last!

Quotation Questions

1) Ishmael says, "These days I live in three worlds: my dreams, and the experiences of my new life, which triggers memories from the past" (page 20). Why does he describe his dreams, past, and present as seperate worlds? Which "world" do you think he enjoys being in the most?


2) "Someone had started a rumor about the 'seven boys,' us" (page 57). How do you think being mistaken for soldiers impacted Ishmael's faith in his survival?


3) “We must strive to be like the moon.” ( page 16) Why do you think it is important for Ishmael to be like the moon? How does being like the moon help Ishmael throughout the war?

4) The general of the soldiers said, "We"..."are here to protect you and will do all we can to make sure nothing happens to you" (page 123).  Do you think the general really cares about the people? Explain.

The Relationship between Author and Text

Research on Ishmael Beah

Adult Life:

Ishmael Beah was born in Sierra Leone in 1980. He moved to the United States in 1998 after recovering and fleeing from the war. He finished his last two years of high school at the United Nations International School in New York. Before graduating from Oberlin College in 2004, Beah pursued advocacy work against the abuse of childrenuring wartime. He even spoke at the UN and met with leaders inc dluding Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela. Beah currently works for the Human Rights Watch Children’s Division Advisory Committee, living in Brooklyn, and considering attending graduate school.

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2011.

     <http://alongwaygone.com/ishmael_beah.html>.

Culture:

South Africa has 11 official languages including English which is spoken throughout the country.  The tribe is considered the most important community because it is the equivalent of a nation.  Some cultures like the Afrikaans consider their extended family just as important as their immediate family.  Also, the 40th birthday is considered equal to the sweet 16 or the 21st birthday in the US. They have a republican government and are actually quite similar to modern countries.

"South Africa - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette." Kwintessential. N.p.,

     n.d. Web. 19 May 2011. <http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/south-africa-country-profile.html>.

Childhood: 

In A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, Ishmael Beah describes the painful and frightening childhood he experienced. Beginning at the young age of thirteen, Beah fought in the war for three years,taking many strangers' lives. His childhood quickly disintegrated after being forced to fight, and he 

transformed into a hardhearted killer. To take his mind off the violence around him, he would take drugs 

and watch gory war movies with the rest of the army. He was rescued by UNICEF after the three years 

of fighting, at first resisting any help offered to him. He focused on war and tried almost anything to put 

himself in a dangerous situation again. Eventually, the UNICEF workers broke through to him and 

helped rehabilitate him. Unfortunately, he missed out on a childhood and will never be able to go back

to experience one.

Meekalee. "Biography of Ishmael Beah." Book Reviews For The Average Joe.
     Wetpaint, 5 Apr. 2008. Web. 19 May 2011.
     <http://bookreviewsfortheaveragejoe.wetpaint.com/page/
     Biography+of+Ishmael+Beah>.

Awards:
Ishmael Beah’s novel A Long Way Gone is not only a favorite to young adults but to all ages. It has won
 several awards including the National Book Critic Circle Award, the Alex Award, and New York Times
notable book of the year. The National Book Critic Circle award is given to novels that show outstanding
writing and could be read nationally. The Alex award was given to Ishmael in 2008 for writing an adult book
 with an appeal to young adults. Also, A Long Way Gone was a finalist for the Quill Award in the best debut
 author category in 2006. The Quill Award is given to excellence in writing and publishing, which is clearly
shown throughout the novel. Recently, Ishmael gave the Health and Human Rights Leadership award to
 Queen Silvia of Sweden in 2011. Ishmael Beah has also written other successful books such as When Good
Comes from Bad.

"A Long Way Gone Reading Guide." UNCW Education. N.p., 2 Feb. 2010. Web. 19 May
     2011. <http://uncw.edu/commonreading/documents/
     LongWayGoneReadersGuide.pdf>.

     

    

Discussion Questions

How has the war gradually changed Ishmael in the way he acts?

How has the war affected Ishmael's mental state?

How has losing his family affected Ishmael?

To what extent is Ishmael depressed?

Color Key

Julie= Red
Erin= Green
Matt= Blue
Johnny= Pink