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= Welcome to our newest novel titled: = = A Long Way Gone. =

After researching the history of Africa which has been painted with harsh strokes of war and corruption, you have a strong understanding of what a weak center can do to a country's government, economy and infrastructure. However, we have not had the opportunity to measure the impact that these news headlines have on the individual, more specifically, the children.

This novel is a memoir written 14 years after the Sierra Leone war interrupted Ishmael Beah's life and changed him forever. Parts of this novel are difficult to read and students have often told me that they experienced bad dreams and/or encountered a new appreciation for the safety they've enjoyed their whole life. Either way, this book was written to make an impact and it certainly has proven effective.

Ishmael is currently serving as a Human Rights Activist and has spoken at hundreds of locations around the world on behalf of UNICEF and other global rehabilitation campaigns. He has drawn global attention to the long term effects of using child soldiers and his book has sold over a million digital and hard copies since it was published in 2007.

While reading this novel, we will be paying special attention to the psychological effects that are specific to the over 300,000 estimated child soldiers whose lives were shattered by war. By the end of the novel, you will be writing a deep analysis paper which will focus on the effect war has on the individual. You will draw your inspiration from amazingly awesome presentations by Mrs. Overly as well as our daily close analysis discussions.

Following the paper, we will watch "Blood Diamonds" and write a professional style movie review that will bring to light the difference between memoir and motion picture.

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