<Tr> <Th> Dewey Decimal </Th> <Td> 966.404 B 22 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> LC Class </Th> <Td> DT516. 828. B43 A3 2007 </Td> </Tr> <P> A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier (2007) is a memoir written by Ishmael Beah, an author from Sierra Leone . The book is a firsthand account of Beah's time as a child soldier during the civil war in Sierra Leone (1990s). Beah ran away from his village at the age of 12 after it was attacked by rebels, and he became forever separated from his immediate family . He wandered the war - filled country and was forced to join an army unit who brainwashed him into using guns and drugs . By 13, he had perpetuated and witnessed a great deal of violence . At the age of 16, however, UNICEF removed him from the unit and put him into a rehabilitation program . There he was able to find his uncle that would adopt him . With the help of some of the staff he was able to return to a civilian life and get off drugs . He was then given an opportunity to teach others about child soldiers . He traveled the United States recounting his story . </P> <P> Ishmael Beah: The book's protagonist . At the beginning of the book, he is a young boy whose parents are separated and loves performing rap with his elder brother and friends . After armed forced attack his home village, he, his brother, and friends are left orphans and wander around seeking shelter . Ishmael is eventually claimed as a child soldier for the Sierra Leone Armed Forces at age 13 . After being rescued by UNICEF at 16, he is rehabilitated and begins to live with his Uncle Tommy . While there, he is recruited to travel to the United States to speak at a United Nations event about child soldiers . Returning to Freetown after his speaking event, he eventually made his way back to the United States . After a time, he was able to forgive himself and love once again . Many dispute the book's accuracy, claiming that the rebels only attacked the village two years after Beah states and that there is no record of the surname "Beah" in the region; please read the section about the "Accuracy Dispute" for more information . </P>

Where does a long way gone take place