10 New Chapter names for ALWG

Chapter 2- Flashback

In this chapter IB has a dream, and it assures the readers he did make it out of Sierra Leone.

Chapter 12- Tricked?

This is the chapter that IB and his friends were read by readers thinking he was either tricked or had chosen to join the Army.

Chapter 21- New Land

This was the ending for IB on his journey. He was headed for a new home and fresh start.

Chapter 20- New York, New York

IB had the opportunity to go to New York to speak at a conference.

Chapter 16- Group Home

This is the chapter that IB was taken to Benin House to rehabilitate after the war.

Chapter 14- High on Candy

IB was so lost and confused relying on "candy" to help him cope with life. He only cared about his "candy, and weapons."

Chapter 8- Isolated

IB was in a forest isolated for a few months. He had had nothing with him.

Chapter 1- Beginning to his Memoir

IB had just begun his journey. The rumor of rebels coming to their village was getting to be known around town.

Chapter 18- Reunited with Family

IB learns he has a lone family member living in Africa. It was his uncle. They hardly knew each other. IB and his uncle met a few times, but IB had his troubles.

Chapter 17- Trust the Nurse

IB for the first time started to feel comfortable around the nurse at the hospital. She gave him a walkman to listen. She also gave him Coca-Cola often. IB was more comfortable sharing his experiences after being given such luxurys.

Change/Stayed

When the question asked, how Beah changed and stayed the same during his journey goes like this. Beah said in Chapter 15 (126) that, “my squad was my family, my gun was my provider and my protector, my rule was to kill or be killed. The extent of thoughts didn’t go much beyond that. I felt no pity for anyone.” Beah used to be this young obedient child who listened to his parents. Things changed as he was tricked into being a soldier. After being a soldier for a while, he depended on drugs. He couldn’t feel emotion, or pain. He turned into an angry, selfish, human being. It was like an animal he was beginning to turn into.
After being in Benin house for Seven months for rehabilitation and became less dependent on drugs to survive, he started to turn into a whole new person. He began to open up to the nurse after first being reluctant. When he met his uncle, he was shocked. He wasn’t a touchy feely kind of guy. Everyone was accepting of Beah and told him it wasn’t his fault. He still felt obligated to fight but wore off after a while. The trip to New York I think changed his whole perspective on things. Beah felt he could have a future to talk to other kids who have gone through the same thing.

Isolation/Community

The way Beah tells his story of living on his own at twelve years old, living through a time of war where he has to be a leader, fend for his food and take care of his well being makes him a strong person. Beah does many things that most kids don’t understand or have the power to succeed at what Beah has to go through. Beah doesn’t know where exactly his family is, seems to make out just fine, by finding a group of strangers, as well as kids he never used to be friendly with at school into his own community. Most kids would be traumatized if they didn’t have some sort of support at their side. I understand the importance of Beah being isolated. He felt at times he wasn’t liked and was alone a lot supporting his well being. He at times had way too much time to think and no one to listen. His community was very small. He after finding a family, appreciated having someone to listen to his thoughts. He also felt responsibility for being the leader.

"Strive to the moon""

In Chapter 1, Beah is trying to relate to "strive like the moon." I am trying to figure out how the dream Beah had, relates to him striving like the moon. Ishmael was not doing good to others, so he wasn't able to "strive like the moon". I want to know more on Ishmael's actions. It doesn't show me how he was trying to be more like the moon.

In Chapter 2, Beah want's to rediscover the happiness he once had as a child growing up. The burden he has makes me wanting to know more.

To Strive Like The Moon.....

Striving like the moon; is more like the moon was struggling to stay alive, only being covered by clouds that were trying to hide it. Victory is trying to show itself.