Independent reading

the book i had chosen to read is a long way gone, memoirs of a boy soldier. from the jump this book seemed very interesting. reading the horrific stories of what this young boy ismael had gone through and seen at such a young age is unbelievable. ishamel is only ten years old when the unraveling of it all happens. ishamel had lost a lot during the war. ishamel and his 2 friends had essentially left their village to go to a talent show. later finding out that their village has been attacked by rebels and that the village they were in was next. ishmael and his friends escape before the rebels arrive to the village. in the path they try and go back to their old village that had been attacked by rebels. on their path back they stumble upon horrific sights. dead bodies, blood, and lost children all over the place it was truly a nightmare. for days the boys were hungry, looking for food. they caught themselves starting to steal food from children. ishmael later becomes a soldier fighting the rebels. the soldiers are known for drug use. used to help them fight during the war. ishamel believes that each rebel he had killed avenged his family. ishmaels lieutenant gives the soilders up to UNICEF. ishamel is then taken to a rehabilitation center for his use of cocaine and marijuana. ishmael struggles at first with his past. ishmael later finds love and compassion. ishamel is taken in by a family in freetown and is welcomed with love and kindness. ishamel is invited to new york city by the united nations as well as others to tell their stories about their experience from the war. ishmael realises others have suffered from the war as well. laura simms a storyteller who later becomes his future foster mom wants to share and tell is experience to the rest of the world in hopes that it could prevent such things to repeat and happen to children. ishamel gets the opportunity to start a new life in the united states and takes it. a long way gone was a very interesting read and is by far one of my favorites. its very sad but beautiful, reading ishamels life story makes you realize that these things do happen sadly around the world. i definitely recommend this book and enjoyed reading every bit of it.