Review
Ishamel Beah was a normal 12-year-old
boy living in a rural area of Sierra Leone - going
to school, forming a rap band in imitation of the
American singers he idolized and (perhaps not so
usual) reciting speeches from Shakespeare in the
town square for the benefit of his father and other
members of the community. One day he, his brother
and a friend went to the local town to compete in a
talent show. While they were away their village was
pillaged by rebel forces. In an instant their
childhoods were swept away as they fled for their
lives not knowing if any of their family were still
alive. For months, Beah and a small group of ragged
boys, traveled from village to frightened village
trying to stay one step ahead of the rebels while
finding enough food...
Beyond the Book
The
Republic of Sierra Leone is
a small country with a
population of about 5.3 million
on the west coast of Africa
bordered by Guinea and Liberia.
The life expectancy of men is 39
years and women 42 years. The
name is an adaptation of the
Portuguese, "serra leoa" (lion
mountains). During the 18th
century it was an important
center for the slave trade. In
the late 18th century, British
abolitionists and the Sierra
Leone Company founded Freetown
as a home for Black Britons* and
in 1808 the country became the
first British colony in...
