A long way home

A Long Way Gone

In 1991, a civil war started in Sierra Leone. In 1993, it came to Ishmael's village, he was 12 years old. At 13 years old, Ishmael Beah became a child solider, fighting against the rebels that killed his family. He was rescued by UNICEF, and went to a rehabilitation home. He became a speaker, speaking out against the struggles facing his courntry. He lost his entire family to the war. He found a new family in New York when he was adpoted at 16 years old.

By: Ishmael Beah

Synopsis

Civil War

Civil war in Sierra Leone started in 1991, and continued until 2002. The Revolutiionary United Front (RUF) wanted to overflow the governenement, but in an interview Beah, he says in the end everyone was fighting, and even the army became corrupt. The people suffered the most.

Storytelling and Music

Hope and Positivity

Storytelling plays a big part in the book. In Ishmaels culture, oral stories are tradition. Also, Ishmael uses music throughout his story to show how music saved his life.

Even through the most horrific events, Ishmael stayed positive.“My eyes widened, a smile forming on my face. Even in the middle of the madness there remained that true and natural beauty [...]” (59). He still stayed positive and found hope and beauty.