2009-2010 discussion

I was really affected by Ishmaels Beah's story. He went through so many hard times only as a child. he was forced to grow up way before his time. All the people he incountered and situations he faced must've been extremely hard for a child. I couldnt imagine being separated from my family and having the fear of someone trying to kill me every second of the day.

In a way Beah's life is similar to American youth in gangs in that some of young teenagers involved are coerced into carrying out cruel murders and using harmful drugs. On the other hand Beah's life seems to be a lot more painful because of the brutality of the war he was apart of and its location. The slums in certain parts of Africa and America should be looked upon diferently due to the difference of each region's economic and political status.

Chapter 9 of "A Long Way Gone" took me on a emotional rollercoaster. On pages 60 and 61 the main characters were walking and had been goin through many different villages. Ishmael and his friends went into one paticular village, and the villagers knew that they were coming. The village thought they were rebels, and were coming to take over. So the men of the village came together and took everything off the boys. They were walking and had no shoes in the desert. It was 120 degrees outside. Ishmael stated, " Each time I lifted my feet, the veins in them tightened and I felt the sand particles digging into my bleeding soles.(ishmeal, 61) This hurt me in all ways. I could literally feel my feet burning. This was a significant part of the book to me. What did you think of this? What would you do if you were walking in a desert?

answering ms. millers comment :
Do you think Beah's life is any different from an American youth growing up in slums or gangs?

i think that an american from the slums or in a gang is in equal danger as Beah's life. the purpose of it is also the same "kill or be killed". in the story they is having to move constantly village to village escaping from the rebels that are out to kill anyone and everyone in search of power. in gangs it work in in a similar way, your having to constanly watch your back because you could have random people from rival gangs out to get you and possibly kill. only big difference i see is that in beah's life he didn't have the choice to live a good life or die. they just so happend to live in the middle of a war and are facing the consequences for no reason. in a gang its your choice to become a gangster, murderer, drug lord, aand have people chase after you in search of your power.

"answering ms. millers comment :
Do you think Beah's life is any different from an American youth growing up in slums or gangs?

I do believe that Beah's life was worse. Americans are not filled with a lot of desert and trees. He had no way of communication, or technology. At least in America he would have been able to use a pay phone or something.

What would you do if you heard your long lost family was a village away? And do you blame Beah for hitting Gasemu?

Jasmine asked,"What would you do if you heard your long lost family was a village away? And do you blame Beah for hitting Gasemu?"

I would have reacted they same way Ishmael did. He went through so many tough situations even an adult couldnt handle. All he wanted was to be somewhere safe and to see his famliy again. Once he got word that his family was near of coarse he wanted to see them. Gasemu got in the way of what he wanted and he reacted with pure emotion.

Ms. Miller asked,"Do you think Beah's life is any different from an American youth growing up in slums or gangs?

In a many ways the life of a teen in the slums of America and Ishmael's story are similar. Ishmael and his friends had to pretty much fight for their lives, and many people struggle to survuve everyday. When villagers saw the group of boys coming they thought they were coming to kill them.SOme people in America stereotypically think that when they see a group of young men together that trouble is on the way.

Jasmine asked,"What would you do if you heard your long lost family was a village away? And do you blame Beah for hitting Gasemu?"

If I heard that my family was in the next village, I would have dropped everything and ran to the village. I dont blame Beah for hitting Gasemu because he caused them to miss their family, but then again he also saved their lives.

If you were in the village that Beah was in when he first joined the army, would you have made the same choice he did, or would you run away? why?

I do agree with Beah for what he did. So far in the book I am so Luke warm about Beah's life. He came to another village and was actually a little happy. However when he thought things were getting better war started again. Now he has to start over again. Why do you think he has such a bad life? Do you think he should just give up?

Ishmael Beah has been through so much. He saw things that no other child should see at a young age. He had to learn how to depend on hisself in order to survive. He did what he had to get through each day. I cant complain about anything compared to what he has been through.

If you were in Beahs shoes would you have did anything different on his long journey?

Kavaughn wrote: "If you were in Beahs shoes would you have did anything different on his long journey?"
Well if I had to do be by myself like him I would probably do what he did. He was with friends but could be alone. The only thing I would have to change the amount of sleep. I have to sleep so I would have a underground bedroom if I could.

Kavaughn said: "If you were in Beahs shoes would you have did anything different on his long journey?"

I can't really say what I would do or if I would do anything different if I were in Beah's shoes because the magnitude of his journey is so great. I personally feel that I wouldn't survive the ruthless war in Sierra Leone. He went through so much physiological and physical pain along his journey it's hard to imagine how he can be fine today.

Beah's life has affected me in a lot of ways. I appreciate my family more. I could not ever be in his shoes and be as strong as he was. Beah is a strong brave person.

I'm on chapter 18 in this book. Before I started reading this book, I thought it was going to boring. When i actually started reading it I changed my mind, this is a very good book and it makes me change the way I look at things. By reading this book i have realized that most people-- including me take good things for granted. For example most children don't like their parents always telling them what to, when to do it and how to do it. Well in the book when war broke out most of children didn't have their parents to tell when to do stuff and how to do stuff so they had to survive the best way they knew how. I'm pretty sure that if I was in that situation I won't know what to do with myself.

Nicole said," Before I started reading this book, I thought it was going to be boring."

I didnt think the book was going to be boring but I thought this was just another book about war, killings and children being coerced into war. As I dove into the pages my eyes were opened to the many things this book had to offer.I didnt know the details of the war in Sierra Leone and all the things that truely go on. Ishmael took the reader along with him on his journey and had them feel what he felt.

Did anyone put themself in his shoes and try to look through his eyes?

Nicole said," Before I started reading this book, I thought it was going to be boring."

I thought the book was going to be boring also. When I first started to read the book and Beah was talking about hip-hop I started to think the book was going to be o.k. I was blown away when he started giving vivid images of the war. I didn't expect the book to be this graphic.

Even though tragedy after tragedy happened to Beah, he still seemed to learn a great deal of responsibility, him being the leader of a squad. Can you find any other positives that Beah withdrew out of all the tragic events he had to endure?

Nicole wrote: "I'm on chapter 18 in this book. Before I started reading this book, I thought it was going to boring.

When I first start reading this book, I knew it would be interesting. What I love about this book is beah painted vivid pictures. For example when he talked about the lady holding her bloody baby I could image how hurt he felt. Could you picture certain things he said if so what?

Nikolas wrote: "If you were in the village that Beah was in when he first joined the army, would you have made the same choice he did, or would you run away? why?" I do believe I would join the army because I am the type of person who knows when there is trouble and I rather be with people instead of by myself. Plus if I saw a man and his child die because he left I would stay. This is a interesing question because I honestly can't process everything like Beah.

Nikolas wrote: "Even though tragedy after tragedy happened to Beah, he still seemed to learn a great deal of responsibility, him being the leader of a squad. Can you find any other positives that Beah withdrew out..."


Beah also got to learn his capabilities, when he was hungry and needed to climb the tree. He didn't know he could but because of the circumstances he had to. What is something you didn't know you were capable of doing until you were in a bad situation?

When Beah first started in the war Josiah, his roommate was terrified. However, Beah was like a big brother to him. It was sad when Josiah died, but do you think this motivated Beah to continued to fight?

Jasmine wrote: "When Beah first started in the war Josiah, his roommate was terrified. However, Beah was like a big brother to him. It was sad when Josiah died, but do you think this motivated Beah to continued to..."

I think he should countine to fight because
thats hard for someone to have a close friend and roommate die and that is alot of stuff a guy got to go through annd thats why i think he should continue to fight.

If i was in the same village of ishmael was in i would have made the same choice he had and joined the army, it would be the best idea concidering staying a civilian could mean getting killed anyway

Jasmine said: What is something you didn't know you were capable of doing until you were in a bad situation?

Being humans you can literally accomplish anything if you want it bad enough. therefore if i was in the situation he was in i would stay determined to find my way out to a better life i would do all in my power to do it. the same way that these kids keep moving from village to village until they got captured and still try to get away from that life. they are striving to get to the free lands.

Iria said: "Did anyone put themself in his shoes and try to look through his eyes?"

I did try to imagine myself in Beah's shoes while reading the book. For example, while staying in the rehabilitation center Ishmael and his friends became very hostile and malevolent to the people that wished to help him through this hard time in his life. At first I became very angry at him for his behavior, but I then put myself in his situation, and I began to realize that his reaction to being helped was normal considering his struggle. Most of his childhood he was alone and defended his own life so of course it would be hard for him to cope with the assistance of someone else.

The ending of the book is really good to me. When they first arrived to the Benin home I thought they weren't going to change becuase of the way they were treating the staff that worked there. But eventually they changed. What were your feeling toward this part of the book?

Im not quite at the end of the book but one particular part of the book caught my attention. I understand Ishmael's reasons for becoming a solider, but his thoughts feelings and ideas totally changed. Prior to being a solider he was a tender hearted young boy, but after becoming part of a squad he became like the people he onced hated. He killed taunted and hunted with no regret or remorse. That transformaiton was very drastic.

Nicole said: "The ending of the book is really good to me. When they first arrived to the Benin home I thought they weren't going to change becuase of the way they were treating the staff that worked there. But eventually they changed. What were your feeling toward this part of the book?"

I expected the reaction the boys had about being in the Benin Home. It was an abrupt change to what they had been used to for most of the childhood. They had to become adults before they were ready and over time they became oblivious to emotion. But I knew a form of recovery was possible with appropiate treatment. I agree, the book did have a good ending. He was very lucky to have people who cared for him and supported him.

Marcus wrote: "Jasmine wrote: "When Beah first started in the war Josiah, his roommate was terrified. However, Beah was like a big brother to him. It was sad when Josiah died, but do you think this motivated Beah..."

Marcus wrote: "Jasmine wrote: "When Beah first started in the war Josiah, his roommate was terrified. However, Beah was like a big brother to him. It was sad when Josiah died, but do you think this motivated Beah..."

Thats true about that if he stayed a cilivian that he might die so that is best for ishmael to stay the army.Thats a smart coice to staty in t he army caues I know his family dosen't want to have him die.I think he should stay so he can get a better look at the army so in the future he can tell what he been through.Like when the commander said if they don't look like me with a scarf and colors kill them i dont care who they are.

Miss wrote: "Do you think Beah's life is any different from an American youth growing up in slums or gangs?"

I think Beah's life is way very diferent from anyone in this country or growing up in the slums unless they are homeless. Beah Is forced to figt for his life he has no choice to fight back or run. In this country you you have the freedom to do what you want and we aren't fighting a civil war.

I'm in the middle of chapter 20 in the book now. I just got to the part where Ishmael is getting his passport. When he got accepted to go New York to speak on the problems in country, I was thinking he has had a good but bad life from what I know. I say he's had a good life because he survived being in the war, and he got the chance to go to rehad and become a normal person again with a normal life. And now he gets to go to New York and tell people about the problems the children in country face. But at the same time his life has been bad because he lost his mother, father, and his two brothers. I personally think he is a truely blessed person.

This book was really sad, and it played like a movie in my head. The hardships that Ishmael went through and what he had to do to overcome them. The young carefree boy from the beginning turned into a soldier of war. He witnessed violence that should never be seen by others. He watched friends die and those he murdered die in front of him with no emotion. I'm just glad he was able to turn his life around.

Nicole wrote: "I'm in the middle of chapter 20 in the book now. I just got to the part where Ishmael is getting his passport. When he got accepted to go New York to speak on the problems in country, I was thinki..."

It seems that the neighboring countries seemed oblivious to what was going on in not only Sierra Leone but other countries of conflict. They continued to fund the army and rebels by trading with them for money and weapons. Even when he tells his story, it won't necessarily mean people will listen. But at least it would make people aware of what is really going on and would influence them to aid others who were unfortunate to have been in Ishmael's situation.

The ending was good because he finally got a happpy life. He got to tell his story andinform people of hislife and all his tough times. He was able to experience a wholenew country from what he was used to. I was happy for him. This was a great book and i would recommend it anytime.

I totally agree with Alfred when he says the book plays in his head like a movie. That's exactly how I feel about the book. Since page one I've been tuned in and waiting for the next adventure Ishmael is intitled in. Im almost done with the book; it seems like every chapter has something new and a new meaning to the whole story. What Ishmael has gone through only made him a superhero. My favorite thing about this book has to be the way its so detailed in everything they do. I'd recommend this book too anybody due to its exicting and inspiring stories. It's by far one of the best books I've read.

I agree with Iria when she said the ending was good. It was a long and hard journey for Beah to find peace from the war, and he finally found it. Thats the best way to end a book..

Miss wrote: "Do you think Beah's life is any different from an American youth growing up in slums or gangs?"

Yes it would because he would still have food and water. He wouldnt have to starve. He would be able to clean his self and have clothes on his back. Its not as ahrd to live here as in Africa.

Jasmine wrote: "When Beah first started in the war Josiah, his roommate was terrified. However, Beah was like a big brother to him. It was sad when Josiah died, but do you think this motivated Beah to continued to fight?

Yes, everytime he was alone or sleeping he thought of his freinds. That strived him to keep pushing and going to find safety. He was fighting for his life he did everything in his will to stay alive.

My favorite part of "A Long Way Gone" had to be Beah's personality. He was the only one saying it will be okay when he really has no idea what could happen next. If I was in his situtation I would be freaking out and panicing on what to do to save my life. He had the courage and strength to keep traveling even though he could be killed at any moment.

Nikolas wrote: "I agree with Iria when she said the ending was good. It was a long and hard journey for Beah to find peace from the war, and he finally found it. Thats the best way to end a book.."
I find that very true! I love books that have the ending that i want it to have. Ishmael's ending made me happy and thats how I wanted it to end. The ending was very happy and detailed.

Kavaughn wrote: "If you were in Beahs shoes would you have did anything different on his long journey?"


I would get some guns and amo from the area where i worked and goand hide in the woulds and wait and kill the not welcome people who comes through

Jasmine wrote: "Beah's life has affected me in a lot of ways. I appreciate my family more. I could not ever be in his shoes and be as strong as he was. Beah is a strong brave person."

Jasmine wrote: "Beah's life has affected me in a lot of ways. I appreciate my family more. I could not ever be in his shoes and be as strong as he was. Beah is a strong brave person."
yea i do too because i could be like ishmeal and not have a family to come to.there for i am thankful for my family careing for me.

Miss wrote: "Do you think Beah's life is any different from an American youth growing up in slums or gangs?"

yes because ,we dont have to fight as a young age and we have freedom.then we can get food and goods for free.I think its crazy how they have to go in the war at a young age.then fight for there country.

Jasmine wrote: "Beah's life has affected me in a lot of ways. I appreciate my family more. I could not ever be in his shoes and be as strong as he was. Beah is a strong brave person."

I agree with Jasmine one hundred percent. Beah's life also made me appreciate my family more. I remeber reading when they first got split up and I was thinking what would I do if my mom and my little brother were taken away from me right then and there. I would be so lost, I wouldn't know what to do. I would probably just look around and cry.

In the very beginning of the book, Beah said, "The day seemed oddly normal. The sun peacefully sailed through the white clouds, birds sang from tree tops, the trees danced to the quiet wind." Usually you tend to feel this way when you have a a feeling like something is about to happen. Well, I know I feel that way! I love that about Ishmael.

Through Beah's journey he said, "Memories I sometimes wish I could wash away, even though I am aware that they are an important part of wat my life is; who I am now." This stuck out to me because what he was going through really was making who he was. The memories from it changed his whole life and he'll never forget them, I know I would say the exact same thing if I was going through such a horrible time like he was.