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Tamba, Child Soldier
“My name is Tamba Cisso. When I was eight years old, I lived in the village with my father, my mother and my sister. I went to school and had learned to read. I knew there was war in my country, but I didn’t know that children could wage it.”
Providing a testimonial to one of the most heart-wrenching and chilling developments in modern warfare, this graphic novel chronicles the realities of hundreds of thousands across the world, kidnapped and forced to commit atrocities.
Providing a testimonial to one of the most heart-wrenching and chilling developments in modern warfare, this graphic novel chronicles the realities of hundreds of thousands across the world, kidnapped and forced to commit atrocities.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published August 22, 2018
About the author
Marion Achard
28 books5 followersMarion Achard est une artiste de cirque et femme de lettres française.
Marion Achard is a French circus artist and woman of letters.
Marion Achard is a French circus artist and woman of letters.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 8, 2019
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Wow. This book was hauntingly honest and completely stole my breath. The horrors that happen for the sake of greed, power and money are unimaginable. Except, this novel attempts to shed light on the deplorable acts children are forced to commit daily around the world. This novel forced me to imagine what that living hell would be like. I was utterly heart-broken and yet in awe. The graphics in this novel were some of the best I’d seen. The vivid colours and striking scenes almost pulled me out of the story they were so good!
What really made this book stand out from the crowd was the emphasis it placed on the rehabilitation and healing process of the people when the war ended. While kidnapping and forcing children to fight a war they don’t understand is unimaginably harsh, the after-effects of the war were arguably as bad. You’d expect freedom and peace with the cessation of fire. Instead, a land was left torn from the destruction its own people had caused. Children were murderers and seen as the perpetrators of extensive human rights violations. How does a country come back from that? How is peace attained? And who is ultimately responsible for the horrors committed?
This depiction of an attempt to create peace after shockingly vile and destructive events was poignantly written and tore apart my heart. It was so authentic and achingly real. I loved the inclusion of the author’s own history that had inspired this novel. This is one I would recommend everyone (who is aware of the triggers) to read!
Wow. This book was hauntingly honest and completely stole my breath. The horrors that happen for the sake of greed, power and money are unimaginable. Except, this novel attempts to shed light on the deplorable acts children are forced to commit daily around the world. This novel forced me to imagine what that living hell would be like. I was utterly heart-broken and yet in awe. The graphics in this novel were some of the best I’d seen. The vivid colours and striking scenes almost pulled me out of the story they were so good!
What really made this book stand out from the crowd was the emphasis it placed on the rehabilitation and healing process of the people when the war ended. While kidnapping and forcing children to fight a war they don’t understand is unimaginably harsh, the after-effects of the war were arguably as bad. You’d expect freedom and peace with the cessation of fire. Instead, a land was left torn from the destruction its own people had caused. Children were murderers and seen as the perpetrators of extensive human rights violations. How does a country come back from that? How is peace attained? And who is ultimately responsible for the horrors committed?
This depiction of an attempt to create peace after shockingly vile and destructive events was poignantly written and tore apart my heart. It was so authentic and achingly real. I loved the inclusion of the author’s own history that had inspired this novel. This is one I would recommend everyone (who is aware of the triggers) to read!
January 10, 2020
TAMBA, CHILD SOLDIER is the riveting true story of a young boy, ripped from his home and forced to become a child soldier.
Written in graphic novel format, Tamba's horrible story is brought to life in vivid detail.
The choice to tell his story in graphic novel format is brilliant. I believe this type of novel will be well received by middle grade and young adult readers. This is important, because Tamba's story is important.
I am not sure how much young adults and middle grade children know about the plight of children on other continents. The issue of children being forced into the role of soldier and the acts of brutality they endured is something that would mentally break even the most resilient of adults. Awareness is an important tool to fight back against those who want to exploit these children. TAMBA, CHILD SOLDIER brings about that much needed awareness.
The illustrations are absolutely fabulous.
I rate this book as 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐
To read more of my reviews and to enter Giveaways, visit my blog at http://Amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com
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Written in graphic novel format, Tamba's horrible story is brought to life in vivid detail.
The choice to tell his story in graphic novel format is brilliant. I believe this type of novel will be well received by middle grade and young adult readers. This is important, because Tamba's story is important.
I am not sure how much young adults and middle grade children know about the plight of children on other continents. The issue of children being forced into the role of soldier and the acts of brutality they endured is something that would mentally break even the most resilient of adults. Awareness is an important tool to fight back against those who want to exploit these children. TAMBA, CHILD SOLDIER brings about that much needed awareness.
The illustrations are absolutely fabulous.
I rate this book as 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐
To read more of my reviews and to enter Giveaways, visit my blog at http://Amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com
And
Follow me on Instagram at
http://www.instagram.com/Amiesbookrev...
October 9, 2019
TAMBA, Child Soldier chronicles the harsh realities of guerilla warfare and child soldiers as Tamba recounts his experiences as a child soldier to a UN tribunal. It does not sugarcoat anything and superbly captures the idea of finding hope and redemption in horrific situations- not an easy read, but an important one. This book would be an excellent read after reading Ismael Beah's A Long Way Home.
*Thank you to NetGalley and NBM Publishing for providing a free ARC
*Thank you to NetGalley and NBM Publishing for providing a free ARC
November 14, 2019
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
A startling and empathetic story of a childhood lost to war.
Tamba is the haunting story of a young boy who was kidnapped and forced to become a soldier at just 8 years old told, he recounts his story to a UN tribunal several years later and is forced to relive his years in slavery for the court.
I enjoyed the depth at which the characters were explored, their motivations, lack of motivations and drive of survival create an impactful and diverse exploration of war.
The graphic novel is beautifully drawn, there is a clear difference between the flashbacks and the present-day trial. The story does not shy away from the horrors of war and I think the art style compliments the narrative well. It highlights the brutality of war and forces the reader to experience the violence with the characters. However, having said this I think it deals with scenes of sexual assault very well, choosing to focus on PTSD rather than the act itself.
Overall, this graphic novel is worth every penny.
⚠️Trigger Warning⚠️: War, Sexual Assault, Child Slavery, Child Soldiers.
Pre-Order now and receive your copy for $19.44 on when it's released on November 15th 2019.
I received an advance review copy for free via NetGalley in alliance with NBM Press, and I am leaving this review voluntarily 📚
A startling and empathetic story of a childhood lost to war.
Tamba is the haunting story of a young boy who was kidnapped and forced to become a soldier at just 8 years old told, he recounts his story to a UN tribunal several years later and is forced to relive his years in slavery for the court.
I enjoyed the depth at which the characters were explored, their motivations, lack of motivations and drive of survival create an impactful and diverse exploration of war.
The graphic novel is beautifully drawn, there is a clear difference between the flashbacks and the present-day trial. The story does not shy away from the horrors of war and I think the art style compliments the narrative well. It highlights the brutality of war and forces the reader to experience the violence with the characters. However, having said this I think it deals with scenes of sexual assault very well, choosing to focus on PTSD rather than the act itself.
Overall, this graphic novel is worth every penny.
⚠️Trigger Warning⚠️: War, Sexual Assault, Child Slavery, Child Soldiers.
Pre-Order now and receive your copy for $19.44 on when it's released on November 15th 2019.
I received an advance review copy for free via NetGalley in alliance with NBM Press, and I am leaving this review voluntarily 📚
April 28, 2021
Tamba: Child Soldier is a heart-wrenching graphic novel about modern warfare written by Marion Achard with art by Yann Dégruel.
My name is Tamba Cisso. When I was eight years old, I lived in the village with my father, my mother and my sister. I went to school and had learned to read. I knew there was war in my country, but I didn't know that children could wage it.
This book took place in an unnamed African country, but is vague enough to show that war is still a present day issue all over the world. Children are robbed of their childhood and forced to commit violent acts, they are sexually assaulted, and for what? Diamonds? Oil?
Then who is responsible for the violent acts committed by these children? And how do they come back from that? The nightmares. The anger. The scars. I can’t even begin to fathom what they go through, but the vivid art in this book showed it very well.
“My personal belief is that what we are going to do is more important that what we’ve done. Do you agree with that?”
CW: war, violence, rape
My name is Tamba Cisso. When I was eight years old, I lived in the village with my father, my mother and my sister. I went to school and had learned to read. I knew there was war in my country, but I didn't know that children could wage it.
This book took place in an unnamed African country, but is vague enough to show that war is still a present day issue all over the world. Children are robbed of their childhood and forced to commit violent acts, they are sexually assaulted, and for what? Diamonds? Oil?
Then who is responsible for the violent acts committed by these children? And how do they come back from that? The nightmares. The anger. The scars. I can’t even begin to fathom what they go through, but the vivid art in this book showed it very well.
“My personal belief is that what we are going to do is more important that what we’ve done. Do you agree with that?”
CW: war, violence, rape
May 14, 2020
GN- Tamba Cisso is a stand-in for hundreds of thousands of child soldiers exploited around the world. Sitting before a hostile crowd at a truth and reconciliation commission at age 16, he explains how he was abducted at age eight from an unspecified African village and forced to commit atrocities under threat of death. His experiences, as well as those of former neighbor Awa and peer Aceyta, paint a bleak picture of hyperviolent masculinity, drug addiction, rape, and endless nightmares. The specifics of the tragic events he participated in – and the unhappier fates of his fellow abductees are documented. Tamba’s account of everyday life as a reluctant warrior for a jumped-up rebel warlord is no less harrowing for being one step removed from our own world’s actual atrocities. Currently it’s estimated that there are over 30,000 child soldiers and the exploitation of girls is rising, so this is an ongoing problem. This GN is a necessary if, uncomfortable, light shined. . Spare panels, and vibrant colors match Tamba’s mood and experiences. Pair with A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier (2007) by Ishmael Beah.
November 17, 2019
'TAMBA, Child Soldier' by Marion Achard and Yann Degruel is the story of a young child soldier and what happens to him.
The book opens with a hearing. On the stand is Tamba Cisso who is being asked questions about his life as a child soldier. When he was 8, his village was overthrown and he was kidnapped. He learned to fight and trick opponents. He made friends in the group, and decides to escape. He makes it to a refugee camp, but his troubles are far from over.
This is a composite story of things happening in the world. The story has some pretty terrible things in it, but the main character is trying to find some redemption. The art is a bit weak at times, but it's a decent story. The graphic novel ends with some essays about child soldiers.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from NBM Publishing, Papercutz, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
The book opens with a hearing. On the stand is Tamba Cisso who is being asked questions about his life as a child soldier. When he was 8, his village was overthrown and he was kidnapped. He learned to fight and trick opponents. He made friends in the group, and decides to escape. He makes it to a refugee camp, but his troubles are far from over.
This is a composite story of things happening in the world. The story has some pretty terrible things in it, but the main character is trying to find some redemption. The art is a bit weak at times, but it's a decent story. The graphic novel ends with some essays about child soldiers.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from NBM Publishing, Papercutz, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
October 21, 2019
TAMBA, Child Soldier
by Marion Achard; Yann Degruel
Papercutz
NBM Publishing
Biographies & Memoirs , Comics & Graphic Novels
Pub Date 15 Nov 2019
I am reviewing a copy of Tamba Child Soldier through Papercutz/NBM Publishing and Netgalley:
At only eight years old Tamba Cisso was taken from his village and his family where he had lived and gone to school when he was taken away and forced to become a Child Soldier, at only eight he was forced to learn to kill, several years later he is forced to sit in front of a council telling of what he and other child soldiers.
Tamba’s story is told in the form of a powerfully illustrated Graphic Novel, with clear pictures of what he was forced to go through.
I recommend Tamba, Child Soldier to Highschool age and older due to the difficult subject matter.
Five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
by Marion Achard; Yann Degruel
Papercutz
NBM Publishing
Biographies & Memoirs , Comics & Graphic Novels
Pub Date 15 Nov 2019
I am reviewing a copy of Tamba Child Soldier through Papercutz/NBM Publishing and Netgalley:
At only eight years old Tamba Cisso was taken from his village and his family where he had lived and gone to school when he was taken away and forced to become a Child Soldier, at only eight he was forced to learn to kill, several years later he is forced to sit in front of a council telling of what he and other child soldiers.
Tamba’s story is told in the form of a powerfully illustrated Graphic Novel, with clear pictures of what he was forced to go through.
I recommend Tamba, Child Soldier to Highschool age and older due to the difficult subject matter.
Five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
October 26, 2019
The art helped move the difficult subject matter of the book well and emotions are easily deciphered among the characters of Awa and Tamba especially. The book tackles realistic subject matter like child soldiers and refugees and tells a fictional story of extremely harrowing ordeals. Since a white French woman tells this story, questions of cooption and relevance arise despite clarification that the fictional plot comes from real life events. The indexes with reports from the UN and international aid agencies tackle the relevance of the story, but the imbalance of power with a white author not from the afflicted regions remain. Where do profits from this book go? Did the author provide any compensation to those that helped craft her story from afflicted regions?
April 22, 2020
Thanks NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I can’t say I enjoyed this, there’s no way someone can enjoy something like this. It’s completely heartbreaking. While, the perspective changes were a bit confusing, overall it was well constructed and engaging. With a haunting art style and deep, yet soft color tones, even the occasions of joy are steeped in sorrow. This is much needed if we are to keep history from repeating, if we have any chance for compassion, these stories need to be told. I’m thankful for the opportunity to hear more about situations like Tamba’s, so that I might aid in efforts to fight the reoccurrence of such atrocities. This is truly an outstanding work.
October 8, 2019
3.70 stars⭐
"Tamba, I don't know what happened in that forest. I don't know why you scream at night. But you can't erase the past. It all stays in here. So go to the center. Go to school. Stay busy! By building new things, your wounds will turn into scars and one day, they'll fade away some."
This was a tough read but a necessary one. I would recommend this to everyone, especially those who aren't familiar with the atrocities that can happen to a child in war times.
"Tamba, I don't know what happened in that forest. I don't know why you scream at night. But you can't erase the past. It all stays in here. So go to the center. Go to school. Stay busy! By building new things, your wounds will turn into scars and one day, they'll fade away some."
This was a tough read but a necessary one. I would recommend this to everyone, especially those who aren't familiar with the atrocities that can happen to a child in war times.
March 6, 2020
This is the story of a child soldier in an unnamed country who escapes and becomes a refugee. The author notes in the back of the book literature that the country is left undefined because this is an issue that occurs in many countries and this book represents the bigger issue than any one country or conflict. The story is told as a graphic novel which really adds to the ways the read can connect with the characters. The artwork is stunningly beautiful and the coloring is perfect for the mood of the story. Our main character is stolen from his home along with several other boys and 1 girl to be enlisted as child soldiers. They are given drugs to keep their strength up and make them do horrific things for the sake of war. The girl is raped by a visiting senior officer (implied, not shown on the page) and when she finds out she is pregnant she and the boy escape. The story then becomes about the refugee crisis and how 10,000 refugees were lost when they went to hide in the forest to escape persecution. They eventually find their way to get aid, but it is a brutal journey. The is a hard story to read because of the events but also shows the strength of the human spirit. I had no idea that children were stolen away to be soldiers and teaching readers more about it is the goal of this story. While the events are horrible, the author maintains just the right balance of evoking empathy while also holding readers at enough distance that they can get through reading about it.
September 23, 2020
It is a good, though brief introduction to the reality of child soldiers in Sierra Leone. Tamba is kidnapped from his village at jut s 8 years old and is immediately taught to kill or be killed. Even after he escapes and finds a refugee camp, he struggles with the effects of PTSD and the tremendous guilt he carries from everything he was forced to do.
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January 14, 2021Shortlisted for the 2020 Global Literature in Libraries Initiative
Translated Young Adult Literature Award
---------------------------------
For more information, visit our website!
https://glli-us.org/2020-translated-y...
Translated Young Adult Literature Award
---------------------------------
For more information, visit our website!
https://glli-us.org/2020-translated-y...
June 21, 2026
white people making stories about africans. because africans are not developed enough to tell their own stories. the white saviour, the cross the french have to wear since the dawn of colonialism.
and it is an ode to the white interventionism, and of course of the crimes of the blacks.
and it is an ode to the white interventionism, and of course of the crimes of the blacks.
October 14, 2019
Chilling depiction of the effects of modern slavery in the form of child soldiers. Beautiful and powerful illustrations.
Thank you Netgalley for the arc
Thank you Netgalley for the arc
November 15, 2019
This is a rough subject. I think the creators handled the storytelling well and were respectful of the subject matter.
November 20, 2019
Honest, heart-wrenching, impactful.
February 27, 2020
A powerful, haunting story of the horrific realities of a child soldier in Africa kidnapped and forced to fight in Africa. Originally published in France.
December 9, 2021
This is a very heavy subject, obviously, but to me the writing seemed ver 2 dimensional.
January 24, 2025
Wow. on so many levels.
September 30, 2019
I'm not normally a fan of graphic novels but the subject matter of this one really appealed to me so I thought I'd give it a go. And I'm so pleased that I did. We follow Tamba on his harrowing journey from innocent child to child soldier to victim. The story shows just how easily innocent people, including children, can be forced in to situations where they become the offender. It was a great moment when Tamba met the elderyl man who became his guardian/role model. This elder spoke about how we can't change our past but that what we do now and in the future can turn open wounds in to scars. Scars will always be there but don't affect our lives and they fade over time. Which I feel is something that many people can relate to and take away from the novel.
This story of Tamba and his friends shows how even when people are removed from horrific situations, what they have experienced continues to haunt them and affect their behaviour, thoughts, mood and relationships. It also broached another delicate subject, that of the helplessness that refugees can feel. Being given handouts makes them feel dependant on others. I know there is currently a very big movement and awareness of the 'White Savour' and I think this graphic novel does well to broach the subject in a gentle way and tell us how those receiving aid can feel. The factual info on the last few pages make for heartbreaking reading. Sat here in the UK, safe and comfortable it's hard to imagine that the horrific problem of child soldiers actually exists.
I didn't enjoy the story as much as I would a book as books go in to so much more detail and really make you feel and connect with the characters. But the graphic novel did provide a good overview and I think it will definitely be more accessible to a wider range of readers than a full book as it's less dense and less intimidating. I would love to see my Sons studying something like this in school.
Trigger warnings for rape and violence
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me a copy of this graphic novel. All opinions are honest and my own
This story of Tamba and his friends shows how even when people are removed from horrific situations, what they have experienced continues to haunt them and affect their behaviour, thoughts, mood and relationships. It also broached another delicate subject, that of the helplessness that refugees can feel. Being given handouts makes them feel dependant on others. I know there is currently a very big movement and awareness of the 'White Savour' and I think this graphic novel does well to broach the subject in a gentle way and tell us how those receiving aid can feel. The factual info on the last few pages make for heartbreaking reading. Sat here in the UK, safe and comfortable it's hard to imagine that the horrific problem of child soldiers actually exists.
I didn't enjoy the story as much as I would a book as books go in to so much more detail and really make you feel and connect with the characters. But the graphic novel did provide a good overview and I think it will definitely be more accessible to a wider range of readers than a full book as it's less dense and less intimidating. I would love to see my Sons studying something like this in school.
Trigger warnings for rape and violence
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me a copy of this graphic novel. All opinions are honest and my own
January 2, 2023
Depressing, honest, and terrifying. Not a book to read on a day you are depressed.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews