21

This was a sad way to end the book. It was sad that the man who stepped out of his way and really tried to be a father for Ishmael would die. It was sad that, again, he lost someone he loved. At least he was still relativily safe and out of harm. Really it was more interesting than sad. The fact that the government takeover was like a deja vu moment. I think the little bit at the end was weird. I dont understand why he would add in something about the political situation. I think someone told him to. I think he was also trying to get more pages. Oh well it doesnt really matter. I think it was a good book

19-20

These chapters are much more uplifting. These chapters show the side of him that everyone knows is there but Ismael has not shown us yet. It is more comic and happy. The scene in New York shows the curostiy of him, just like a normal kid. He is facsinated by all of the loud noises of people buzzing around, yelling for taxis, construction, and music. The lights are interesting to him. All of the stoplights, which he has seen very few of, television screens, and bright store signs and buliten boards. He is also intriuged by all of the people. There are so many people of all different backgrounds and races. This all leads him to believe that every day is christmas in New York.
But, these chapters also show us the maturaity that the war has thrust upon him. The war has forced him to be like a father and stand up to tough situations. The war has forced him to be able to keep his composure. The UN meeting is an example of this. He not really nervous, which is sad. He is a kid, he should be nervous. He should not be the calm. I think that he has matured to fast and misses out on some of his childhood.

17-18

These two chapters are a breath of fresh air. He is finally starting to become what you and I consider a normal human being. He has made a very good new friend in Esther. He can finally express his emotions and talk about things that are good or are bothering him. He can express his opinions and live. He is doing well in his rehabilitation center. He can now do as he pleases. Esther evens takes him and his friend to Freetown. She buys him two tapes of rap music. The rap music, i think, really is a big deal. It takes him back to his childhood, when he was safe and loved by his family. It gives him a sense of peace and happieness.

15-16

Chapter 15 is very significant. It really shows the amount or lack of sensitivity left. They are taken away by the civilians to safety and out of the war. This makes the soldiers that are taken, including Ishmael, very mad. They do not understand why these people are taking them from the army. They want to stay and fight the rebels. They believe because of brainwashing, that the Rebels killed their parents, when quite possibly, the Government killed their family. It is very disturbing when they all get headaches from not killing and not having drugs. It is disturbing when they ask the civilians if they have any drugs. It is disturbing when they are jealous of the soldiers still in the army because they have weapons, grenades, guns, bayonnets, and most importantly drugs. They get mad and it is sad that they are that addicted to drugs.

Choice Books

1)A Quiet Strength Tony Dungy I have heard from many people that this is a good book.

2)A Season on the Brink John Feinstein I read this and it is good. It is very detailed and informative.

13-14

Chapter 13 was very different from all of the other chapters because it is the first chapter he is a boy soldier. He is starting to become the very thing he feared a month before. He also became less afraid of the rebels. He got it into his head that he was indestructable now that he has a gun. He is very over-confident. This shows when they attack the rebels. He gets lucky to not get killed in the first place. Then when his friends get shot, he stands up in a state of invincibility and walks to them and moves them by tree. He does not think that he too, could get shot while he was lying down let alone standing up. He was extremely lucky to not get shot while standing up. I think his friends getting shot put a little sense of reality into him, but when he stood up and did not get shot the reality was reversed.

11-12

Chapter 11 was very hard to read because I could start to relate to some of the things he is doing. I also blame other people for no reason because I don't want to blame myself. I think many people have the tendency to want to blame someone or something else for something. It was also hard to read because Gasemu dies. This is hard to read because the last thing Ishmael ever did to him or with him was fight and hit him in the head with a rock. The last time he talked to him he was mean and was blaming him for being late and he was unable to see his family. Chapter 12 was more violent but, easier to read. It was easier for me to read because I could not relate to him and his actions did not drive me crazy because I knew he would regret his decision. This may sound bad but it is easier to read if I feel like his situations are very unlikely situations for me. In chapter 12 I find that it is almost relieving yet discomforting when he becomes a boy soldier. It is relieving because he will always have protection with his gun and he will be with his group of soldiers. He will not be helpless if he sees rebels. It is discomforting because he is a soldier and will be exposed to war so much more

10

In chapter 10 it is very symbolistic when Saidu dies. It is symbolistic because it shows the hardship and the life that they are living. Their life is so bad and harsh that people just are willing to give up and die. They just dont have the will to live after all that they have been through. They just can not keep going and just cant take the pain anymore. It is sad when Ishmael explains how they had all gotten to where they were. It was sickening that he had to watch his sisters get raped while he nor anyone else could do anything to stop it. It showed the straight brutality and power that the rebels had. It showed that they were so forceful nothing could stop them. The rapes showed the daily activity of the rebels; killing, raping, and terrorizing and striking fear into innocent civilians. THe rebels had almost all control over the peoples daily lives even if they were there or not. They were impacting the way people acted when they were no where near.

8-9

I think it is very sad but very promising and happy when he gets lost in the forest. It is sad because he is alone and can not find his way out. He makes friends with the snakes he sees slithering by. He is in trouble because he is starving and has not found any food until he sees the birds eating strange fruit. He seems to not have anything. It is uplifting because he has found a source of self-security, and peace. He feels safe and has a place to sleep. He finally has food. He is somewhat safe from the rebels. It is also sad that he almost does not want to think or dream because it makes him sad. The thought of his grandfather and the medicine he would give him made him sad. After he gets out of the forest he and his buddies find the ocean. They were scared because they have never seen the ocean. This was very sad, yet inspiring. It was sad because they would not get the expierence of going to the ocean for the first time with their parents. It was inspiring because they had overcome so much and to reach a beautiful sight and a peaceful sight. It was inspiring because they got so much motivation and happieness out of this sight. These chapters were all about ups and downs and almost momentum changes in their will to live.

6-7

In these two chapters the boys start to realize what a huge predicament they are really in. Every where they go they are suspected of being rebels because they are of age. They are wrongly stereotyped and treated. People just assume that they are rebels because they are that age even though they do not have weapons, they are starving, or have proper equipment or clothes. People are so fearful that they fear every one. They even fear family and the only friends that they have left. They are suspicious of the way people talk and act. They are suspicious of all people. Friends are betrayed and family members are disrespected as a result of the war. Ishmael finally decides to split from the group. He thinks that he will be able to cope with the tradgedys better and be able to stay safe and not look as suspicous. He thinks it will give him time to  think about his life and what he can do to fix it.

Chapter 1 and 2

The first two chapters were very different. They were different from each other and different from Things Fall Apart. The chapter was a story of happiness. The start makes it seem like the book will be somewhat happy. The book starts with the friends talking about rapping that they heard on MTV in a hut, and working on their act for the talent show. We see these kids as happy, playful, and peaceful. They think that the war will never reach them and are very optimistic. But, in the second chapter things are very different. It tells a story of violence and bloodshed. There are people dead and dying in the streets. No one seems to have a problem with it. The people seem to be used to seeing dead bodies in the streets. They seem to be used to seeing people and children dying and knowing not to help them because it won't really help. The second chapter gives us the information that children are being kidnapped and forced to fight in the war. The children and the other kidnapped people are "running" and keep the war going.