Letter to the editor: Read this book
Letter to the editor
The book “A Long Way Gone” includes the story of a young boy by the name of Ishamel Beah. He and his friends live a poor life in the poverty-struck town of Mattru Jong in of Uganda, Africa.
Ishmael and his group of friends spend their time enjoying the one and only thing they have from America, a cassette tape of the rap group Run DMC.
In the book, Ishmael talks about his love for music, and how he thinks the rap industry has changed the way he viewed his life. He can “get lost” in the music. He and his friends live music, dancing and especially the beats no one else from his village have heard before.
Already, this book is inspirational.
Coming from nothing, rags and T-shirts, they somehow find a way to enjoy the life they were dealt.
At the time, rebel soldiers had taken over Africa. They have been capturing children and using them for warfare, and for their own personal needs, not worrying about the boys.
At age 12, in the towns of Sierra Leone, he was captured by these terrible rebel soldiers.
At first, they drugged him, and used him for many terrible crimes and other horrific acts.
As a young boy, he was very confused and angry because of what was happening at the time. But for an early teenager, he was very brave and extremely aware of what he was doing.
When he was 16, he was rescued by UNICEF, and he started to realize a new perspective of people — and has a new view of the world, even though he seems to suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
In my opinion, there is no question this book needs to be read by everyone, everywhere.
It shows that determination and believing in yourself can achieve the impossible. This book also shoes incredible views of people in other countries, and shows the truth about what is going on in Africa, and I think that is something that everyone needs to be aware of.
This book took place a while ago, but people still need to know because it continues to go on — even to this day. I absolutely loved this book, and quite honestly, have nothing negative to say about it.
I recommend this book to anyone who can flip pages and read.
Noah Clement
Eastern Regional High School student
