Change

Has this book impacted you in anyway? For example, personally I've heard of child soldiers, but have never spent any time thinking about them. This book left me with an uneasy, tortured feeling. What, if anything, has this book done for you?

Novel Ending

The ending of the novel is incredibly powerful. At seven years of age, Ishmael had an answer to the monkey dilemma, although he never shared his answer with anyone until now.

In your opinion, why does Ishmael end the story here? Do you think Ishmael is happy with how he has chosen to live his life? Do you think Ishmael could have made different choices?

Ishmael's uncle

Considering what we’ve learned about African culture, how does Ishmael’s experience at his uncle’s home fit in?

Theme

Ishmael doesn’t believe in revenge. “What I have learned from my experience is that revenge is not good. I joined the army to avenge the deaths of my family and to survive, but I’ve come to learn that if I am going to take revenge, in that process I will kill another person whose family will want revenge; then revenge and revenge and revenge will never come to an end” (199).

What can you add? What is your perspective? Is revenge a natural feeling? What can you do to avoid seeking revenge?

Point of View

I mentioned earlier about how important point of view is. How does hearing this story from Ishmael’s perspective affect how you feel about child soldiers?

How might you feel about Ishmael if this were a story told from the eyes of one of the UNICEF workers?

Novel Impressions

A couple of things really struck me as I read this novel. One is the pure brutality that some people had to endure before dieing. Not just emotionally—seeing family members slaughtered, but the physical torture. One particular scene which really affected me was when the rebels were forced to dig their own graves, then buried alive.

Something else that struck me is the natural instinct to survive. I know drugs keep Ishmael going, but not after he is rescued by UNICEF. Where does his strength come from?

What thoughts did you have while reading this novel? What affected you? What bothered you? What questions would you have if you were to talk with Ishmael?

Brainwashing

Some people argue that the music a person listens to influences their actions. We hear about this in regards to movies, television, and video games. The reason I bring this up is because the camp Ishmael is now living in continually tries to influence Ishmael's thinking.

What are the things Ishmael is told over and over? What is always on the television? How would these influences work to encourage Ishmael to fight? What in Ishmael's life so far would encourage him to fight?

Symbolism

When Ishmael is given his uniform, he is told to throw his other clothes into the fire. He is extremely disappointed when his tapes are melted. However, how is this symbolic? Consider what the tapes represent? What part of his life is over? What part is beginning?

Turning Point

A major turning point occurs in Chapter 12 when Ishmael is captured. He is captured by the government, and not the rebels. He isn't technically forced to fight, however his other choice is sure death. What is your reaction to Ishmael's choice to fight?

Family

When Ishmael is very close to seeing his family again, circumstances keep this from happening. However, seeing his family would probably have ensured his death. Do you believe in fate? Do you think this was meant to be?

Ishmael also says that seeing his family would have been worth dieing for. What do you think? Would you agree? What would your choice have been?

Point of View

We’ve talked about the importance of Point of View. Obviously, this is first person. What if this story were told from the third person? How might you see Ishmael? What does this perspective give you as a reader, that third person couldn’t?

flashbacks

I think reading Ishmael’s flashbacks are very important. The story would go on without these, so why do you think he chose to insert them? What do they tell us about Ishmael?

Storytelling

Ishmael and his friends enjoy the Bra Spider stories. Because these stories are handed down, each time they are told, they are a bit different, depending on the storyteller.

Are there stories handed down in your family? Does it seem like the same story keeps getting told? Why do you think that is? Do you think stories are important family rituals?

community

One of the things that strikes me about Ishmael’s memories of his village is that there seemed to be such a strong sense of community. This is evident in the village’s celebration of Ishmael’s name giving ceremony. There is an African Proverb too, that is something to the effect of: It takes a village to raise a child. Do you agree with this proverb? Explain.