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birdinflight1's review
4.0
My niece Elizabeth loaned me this book, and I really liked it, but I really need to take a break from reading sad books on heavy topics. Previously, I read Half the Sky, which addresses many heartbreaking women's issues around the globe.
I liked how the author addresses the issues in this book in a straight-forward way, from her happy childhood in Sierra Leone to the violence inflicted upon her by the rebels to her depression after the birth of her baby at age 12. I found her level of innocence fascinating--when she was raped by a family friend at age 11, she didn't know what happened to her and didn't have words to describe it to her aunt. Once she found out that she was pregnant and was educated about how that occurs, she realized what had happened.
Her story brought to light some issues of children having children--the lack of interest in parenting, the lack of bonding, the blaming herself when he died of malnutrition. Interestingly, the baby helped her have opportunities to go abroad and get an education.
I liked how the author addresses the issues in this book in a straight-forward way, from her happy childhood in Sierra Leone to the violence inflicted upon her by the rebels to her depression after the birth of her baby at age 12. I found her level of innocence fascinating--when she was raped by a family friend at age 11, she didn't know what happened to her and didn't have words to describe it to her aunt. Once she found out that she was pregnant and was educated about how that occurs, she realized what had happened.
Her story brought to light some issues of children having children--the lack of interest in parenting, the lack of bonding, the blaming herself when he died of malnutrition. Interestingly, the baby helped her have opportunities to go abroad and get an education.
shannonreadstheworld's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
jgintrovertedreader's review
4.0
Mariatu Kamara was twelve years old when she was caught up in the civil war in Sierra Leone. Most of her village was killed in a raid. Boy soldiers cut off both her hands but let her go. She shares the story of how she learned to cope in the new world she found herself in.
Holy cow. I just can't imagine living through the things this young woman has experienced. And she was so young when everything happened! I just shudder to think of it.
But she's a strong girl. She knows from the beginning that she must learn to live on her own. From the time she turns down the first helpful stranger's offer to feed her a bite of mango, she struggles to live her new life on her own terms.
Her story is inspiring and heart-breaking and important. I know I as an American sometimes forget that most of the world doesn't have it as good as I do. I get caught up in the day-to-day of "I can't believe I have to deal with this at work," or "Traffic is a nightmare, I hate this commute," and forget that in some places in the world, children are killing and maiming each other in wars they don't understand. I for one need a reality check like this from time to time.
Anyone who reads this should also read A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah. Mariatu avoids demonizing the boy soldiers but it's still a good idea to get their perspective as well. They were also victims in this terrible conflict.
This is by no means an easy read but I highly recommend it.
Holy cow. I just can't imagine living through the things this young woman has experienced. And she was so young when everything happened! I just shudder to think of it.
But she's a strong girl. She knows from the beginning that she must learn to live on her own. From the time she turns down the first helpful stranger's offer to feed her a bite of mango, she struggles to live her new life on her own terms.
Her story is inspiring and heart-breaking and important. I know I as an American sometimes forget that most of the world doesn't have it as good as I do. I get caught up in the day-to-day of "I can't believe I have to deal with this at work," or "Traffic is a nightmare, I hate this commute," and forget that in some places in the world, children are killing and maiming each other in wars they don't understand. I for one need a reality check like this from time to time.
Anyone who reads this should also read A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah. Mariatu avoids demonizing the boy soldiers but it's still a good idea to get their perspective as well. They were also victims in this terrible conflict.
This is by no means an easy read but I highly recommend it.
barbaraskalberg's review
3.0
3.5 I wonder if the simplistic writing (told in the voice of the little girl starting at age 12) wasn't intentional to keep the horrors from being so horrific it becomes too hard to read? True account of a young girl's experiences once a rebel group (of boys!) overruns her small village in Sierra Leone. Truly inspiring.
jpearlreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
4.0