A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier is the memoir of Ishmael Beah who during the civil war in Sierra Leone was forced to become a government soldier fighting the rebels at only 13 yrs old. He was rescued from the fighting by UNICEF, and he was taken to a rehabilitation center for children soldiers. I'm split between motivating people to read it and telling them to avoid reading it. This is the most harrowing, yet worthy, experience I had in a long time in reading a book. It is a must read, but it is an emotionally heavy reading. If you are ready to read a heartbreaking, emotionally draining, yet hope-filled book, please do so. Be prepared to cry, to be mad at the world's evil, disgusted at the graphic images of heartlessness and violence, and to internally rage against the war's crimes and the devastation it leaves on its path and in people's hearts. Be prepared to rage against such dark evil that takes otherwise innocent children and turns them against their will into unstoppable criminals; however, be also prepared to celebrate human resilience for good will and healing, and to see a light of hope even through the darkness of the most extreme tragedies. Be prepared to see hearts turn around and lost, damaged children become whole again in spite of the depth of darkness they have experienced.

PS. After I've read this book, someone told me that some of the facts of the book have been challenged as inaccurate. I'd say, if you want, look up the case against Ishmael Beah's memoir to be informed, but don't let that issue become a barrier in seeing the whole picture which is the undeniable war crimes that were perpetrated at that time, not only against adults, but also against young, malleable children.