Reading Strategies Long Way Gone

Before, After, During Thinking Guide
A Long Way Gone By: Ishmael Beah

Guide created by: Juli Watson
Chapter 1
Before
1- Look at the front and back cover of the book. Write down words in the boxes that start with the letter
you think will relate to the book.
S C G
2- Share with a partner your words. Add the words they had that you didn’t.
3- Open up to the page with the map at the beginning of the book. 6 pages in. Read the page that says
“New York City, 1998” and look at the map. In the boxes labeled “F” put a fact that you know after
reading the page. In the boxes below the facts labeled “Q” write a question you still have about that
fact.
Q
4- Use the vocabulary words in the word bank to make predictions about the book we are reading. You
can use the words more than once to make your predictions. Think about how you think the author of
the book will use the words in the story. List words that you think will go with each category of the
story structure and then use those words to answer the questions about structure. If there are any
words you can’t use because they are too unfamiliar, list those words as Mystery Words.
Refugees crapes (sneakers) verandah gunfire rebels
Malnourishment canoe intensified corrupt revolutionary
Foreign civilians liberation village massacre
Chaotic terrify bayonet risky trampling
Setting How will the author describe the setting?
Characters What predictions can you make about the characters?
Plot What will happen in the story? (minimum 2 events)
Mystery Words
During
1- What are some phrases that are used now from music? Write four words or phrases. (P7)
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2- Quickwrite: (p9 paragraph “According to the teachers”) Write your thoughts and feelings on this
paragraph.
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3- (p10) “But there was no news of them, and after a while we didn’t know any of the people who came
across the river. The day seemed oddly normal. The sun peacefully sailed through the white clouds,
birds sang from treetops, the trees danced to the quiet wind.” What tone do these words create?
Write four tone words.
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4- After the words “Junior and I nodded in agreement” what do you think will happen next? Write a
prediction. (p10)
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5- “I had not seen him for a while, as another stepmother had destroyed our relationship again. But that
morning my father smiled at me as he came up the steps.” Explain what these two lines mean.
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6- Why is his father’s smile important to him? Whose smile makes you smile and why?
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7- What is the relationship between the main character and his stepmother? What clues gave you this
information? (p10) Look for specific lines and QUOTE them.
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8- Fill in the venn diagram showing the differences and similarities between the boy and his live versus an
average child in the US.
9- (p15) Write about a dream that you could “no longer tell the difference between dream and reality.”
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10- (p16) Explain the following quote. “We must strive to be like the moon.”
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11- Create a list of qualities that the moon shows that all people should follow. The first examples from the
book have been completed for you.
1. The moon always shines 2. The moon allows others to play in its light.
3. People dance with the moon 4.______________________________________
5. ____________________________________ 6.______________________________________
12- Draw a picture in the box representing something you still enjoy doing from when you were younger.
Write one sentence explaining what it represents.
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After
13- Give chapter one a title. Write the title in the box provided.
14- Imagine you only have $2.00 and each word you use costs you 10 cents. Summarize chapter one for
$2.00.
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15- Complete the 3-2-1
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Write three words you can picture from chapter one
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Write two events or details that surprised you from chapter one
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Write one question you still have.
Chapters 2-3
Before
Read the first paragraph ONLY of chapter two. Fill in the boxes with your own interpretations/predictions.
Explain your answers in a complete sentence(s).
Who did the cries come from?
What caused him to feel no emotion?
When did he last fire his AK- 47?
Where did he get the AK-47 from?
Why is the narrator taking that particular body to a cemetery?
How is the narrator involved in this scene?
Based on this information above. Write a couple of sentences explaining what you think is happening in this scene and
chapter.
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During
1- (page 19) Reread the second paragraph starting with “I lay sweating.” Write three words that express the tone of
the paragraph.
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2- (bottom of page 19) Quickwrite: “Memories I sometimes wish I could wash away even though I am aware that
they are an important part of what my life is; who I am now.” Write about a memory that you wish you could
erase but has become a part of who you are. How has it made you grow as a person? What did you learn from
that experience?
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3- (page 23) Read this page and explain the pace. Is it slow and drawn out or fast and rushed. Explain why you
think it is this pace. What words make you think this?
Words that help to show this pacing.
The pace of this page is……
4- (p25) “ causing his remains and blood to sprinkle like rain

on the nearby leaves and bushes.” What is this type of comparison called? _____________________
What is it explaining? _________________________________________________________________
After
1- Give chapters two and three a title. Write the two titles in the box provided.
2-
3-
2- Imagine you only have $2.00 and each word you use costs you 10 cents. Summarize the two chapters
for $2.00.
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Chapters 4
Before- pop quiz chapters 1-3
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Row 1- What are crapes?

Row 2-What’s in the wheelbarrow? Where is he taking it?
Row 3- Where is Ishmael from? Where is he currently living (mentioned in chapter two when they flashback)?
Row 4- Why, after their escape, do Ishmael and the other boys sneak back into the village of Mattru Jong?
Row 5- Explain what the rebels do to express “one love.”
During
1- Fill in the cause and effect chart starting with events that happened from the beginning of the chapter.
The first couple have been completed for you. Fill in all boxes.
Cause Effect
Couldn’t find anything to eat Became hungry
Became hungry Snuck back to Mattru Jong to get money for food.
2- If money were worthless, how would you get the things you need? Make a list of ways you could get your needs.
a. –
b. –
c. –
d. –
After
3- Did the boys do the right thing in stealing other people’s food? Why or why not?
4- How will this affect those people they stole from?
5- What should the boys have done?

Chapters 5
Before
Fill in the Somebody Wanted But So based on chapter four using only pictures!!!
Somebody (characters)…. Wanted (plot-motivation)…
But (conflict)… So (resolution)….
During
1- (pg 33) “Before the war a young man wouldn’t have dared to talk to anyone older in such a rude manner. We
grew up in a culture that demanded good behavior from everyone, and especially from the young. Young people
were required to respect their elders and everyone in the community.”
What changed? Explain.
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2- Read the clip from the article “The Spoilt Generation: Parents who fail to exert authority breeding youngsters
with no respect for anyone” by Fiona Macrae and Paul Sims
A growing lack of adult authority has bred a 'spoilt generation' of children who believe grown-ups must earn
their respect, a leading psychologist has warned.
The rise of the 'little emperor' spans the class divide and is fuelling ills from childhood obesity to teenage
pregnancy, Aric Sigman's research shows.
Attempts to 'empower' children and a lack of discipline in the classroom have also fostered rising levels of
violence, at home, at school and in the street.
Dr Sigman, a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, said nursery-age children are becoming increasingly
violent and disrespectful towards their teachers, 'parent battering' is on the rise and the number of policemen
attacked by children is soaring.
Dr Sigman said: 'Authority is a basic health requirement in children's lives.
'Children of the spoilt generation are used to having their demands met by their parents and others in authority,
and that in turn makes them unprepared for the realities of adult life.
What is this article saying?

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Agree/Disagree? Why?
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3- Is this the same case for what was just discussed in the book? Explain why this is different.
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4- (p33) In the incident at the bottom of page 13, the rebels find it funny to shoot at the old man thinking he had
been shot in the head.
Is this funny? Why or why not? ________________________________________________________________
Give an example of something that was mean but people laughed.
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Are these the same intensity of “mean?” Why or why not?
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After
1- Choose a passage from chapters 1-5. What do you think the main idea of the passage is?
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2- Create a Wordle
3- What words popped out the most? Explain how these words could be a main idea or theme of this passage.
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Paste the link to your Wordle here:

Chapters 6
Before
Pecial Powers- You have the power to change any aspect of the novel. Choose only ONE detail to change in the
S
book. Explain what you would change, why you would change it, AND the effect it will have on the story.
roblem Solving- Write three problems you have found in the story and write possible solutions to them.
P
Put the problem on the top and the solution on the bottom.
A
lternative Viewpionts- You are a rebel hunting down the group of boys that escaped. Write a paragraph
explaining what’s going through your mind.
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hat If? What if Ishmael was traveling with his family instead of a group of boys? How would this
W
have changed the story so far? Explain what would be different. (minimum 50 words.)
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ext- The boys just escaped from the rebels. What do you think will happen next? Explain.
N
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The boys are in a group of six traveling. Complete the pros and cons list of being in a large group as they travel. Come up
with a minimum of three reasons for each side.
Pros of a group Cons of a group
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1- 1-
2- 2-
3- 3-
During
Quickwrite: (p 42) Ishmael had to work hard with back aches, blisters, and pains. What’s the hardest work you ever had
to do? Explain IN DETAIL with a minimum of 10 adjectives.
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After
“It was during that attack in the village of Kamator that my friends and I separated. It was the last time I saw Junior, my
elder brother.” Using markers, colored pencils, or crayons, create a dot picture of what Ishmael is feeling.
Chapters 7
Before
Preview chapter seven and find words for each of the boxes below that start with the letter in the box that could be a
potential vocabulary word. Look up the word and write the definition on the second line. On the third line write a
sentence explaining how you think it will relate to the chapter.
V _________ T _________ M _________

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Choose one of the words to create a Frayer Model over. Fill in the Frayer Model below. Put the word you choose in the
middle of the oval.
Essential Characteristics- (explain what it is) Non-Essential Characteristics (explain what it

isn’t – still has to relate)
Examples (draw a picture) Non-Examples (draw a
picture)
During
As you are reading chapter seven, use your sticky notes to take “Reading Notations”.
↑ I agree with this X I disagree with this ?? I don’t understand this
! I can’t believe this # I did not know this √ I relate to
Example
↑- If I were with the group of

boys, I would have stolen food. If I
didn’t I would die. When it comes to
surviving, you have to do what it
takes.
As you are reading, put sticky notes labeling parts that you agree, disagree, don’t understand, can’t believe,
didn’t know, or can relate to. You should have a minimum of four sticky notes used. Be sure to explain on the
sticky note which line or passage you are talking about.
After
Choose one of the two lines to explain from the book and relate it to life now. (minimum 100 words)
“Every morning I made my own fate by deciding which way I was going to go.” (p46)
“Even a twelve-year-old couldn’t be trusted anymore.” (p48)
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Chapter 8 Look at the words in the concept circle. Write
about your understanding of chapter seven by
Before- pop quiz chapter 7 summarizing the chapter and using the four
words in your summary.
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Imam oranges
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Swimming ________________________________________
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trust
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During _______
Double Entry Journals- As you are reading chapter 8, find quotes to write on the left side and reflect on the
quote on the right. The quotes should be meaningful, and the reflection should explain what you think the
meaning of the quote is, the importance, and how it relates to you or the book.
Quote #1- Reflection:

A Haiku is a three lined poem. The first line has 5 syllables. The second line has 7 syllables. The third line has
5 syllables.
Example:
Child soldiers kill (5 syllables: Chi-ld Sol-diers kill)
Their childhood is taken (7 syllables: Their Chi-ld-hood is ta-ken)
Someone save them please (5 syllables: Some-one save them please)
Create two different Haiku poems. One should be from the point of view of the old man who was left behind
and the other from the point of view of the people who left them running from the “seven boys.” Be sure to
give them a title.
Old Man The others
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Context Clues: Read the sentence to figure out the meaning of the following words. Next, turn to the page the
word is on to read the paragraph the word came from. Add to your definition.
a- Lured (p53): “The next day the hunter performed his trickery and lured the herd into an opening.
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b- Flogged (p55): “They weren’t close friends, but the four of us had been flogged once for talking back to
the senior prefect.”
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c- Burden (p56): “No one was willing to carry me and I didn’t want to be a burden.”
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After
In ONE word – summarize chapter eight.
Question Matrix- Based on the information you gained from the last 8 chapters, use of one of
the words on the left to develop questions for each of the five W’s and the H. An example has
been completed for you.
Who What Where When Why How

Is
Won’t
Did
Might
Should
Will the boys get

through this
when
everyone
thinks they are
bad?
Chapters 9
Before
Preview chapter seven and find words for each of the boxes below that start with the letter in the box that could be a
potential vocabulary word. Look up the word and write the definition on the second line. On the third line write a
sentence explaining how you think it will relate to the chapter.
D _________ H _________ M _________

_________________________ _________________________ _________________________
__________________________ __________________________ __________________________
Choose one of the words to create a Frayer Model over. Fill in the Frayer Model below. Put the word you choose in the
middle of the oval.
Essential Characteristics- (explain what it is) Non-Essential Characteristics (explain what it

isn’t – still has to relate)
Examples (draw a picture) Non-Examples (draw a
picture)
During
1- (p60) Write a conversation between two villagers spreading the rumor about the boys. Make sure to
explain who they are afraid of and why. What do they think will happen? How do they think is coming
and to do what?
Villager 1 : _______________________________________________________________________
Villager 2: _______________________________________________________________________
Villager 1 : _______________________________________________________________________
Villager 2: _______________________________________________________________________
Villager 1 : _______________________________________________________________________
Villager 2: _______________________________________________________________________
2- (p60) Draw a comic showing what the fisherman did to the boys. The comic she explain how it
affected the boys through the drawing.
3- Context Clues: Read the sentence to figure out the meaning of the following words. Next, turn to the
page the word is on to read the paragraph the word came from. Add to your definition.
a- Flotsam (p59): “When we went back to look, the waves had thrown out unwanted flotsam from the
ocean, including some big crabs that I guess weren’t strong enough to cling to the ocean floor, but they
were still alive.
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b- Contorted (p58): “We all looked at him and his face contorted with confusion.”
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c- Boasted (p62): “Kanei boasted about being an excellent soccer player.”

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d- Disconsolate (p65): “Her voice was trembling with sadness, and she wiped her disconsolate face as she
disappeared behind the hut and headed back to the main village.
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4- Pretend the stick person below is a villager that does not want the boys around. Fill in the lines
explaining what they are thinking, seeing, etc…
I was
thinking….
® ® I saw this
happening…
I felt…
My actions
were to…
I feared…
After---“This time we were a long way from Mattru Jong. A long way gone. “ (p65) Explain the title by creating
an Acrostic poem with the words Long Way Gone. Each letter starts off a sentence that helps to explain a theme and the
title of the novel thus far. The first letter has been completed for you.
Life has changed and there’s no going back to the way it used to be
Chapter 10
Before
1. Write a haiku explaining WHY the chief let the boys go from chapter 9. Remember
Haiku’s have THREE lines. The first line has FIVE syllables. The second line has SEVEN
syllables. The third line has FIVE syllables.
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2. Why are Ishmael’s cassettes so important to him?

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3. What is an object you have that has just as much value to you as Ishmael’s cassettes
have to him? Draw a picture of the object and explain on the lines why it’s special.
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During
1- “So I couldn’t bring myself to be completely happy. It was much easier to be sad than to go back and
forth between emotions, and this gave me the determination I needed to keep moving. I was never
disappointed, since I always expected the worst to happen.” (p69) Do you agree with this? Why or why
not?
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2- (p72) Ishmael’s goes to the water and dives in to get away from him problems. Where do you go when
you are upset or stressed? How does this help?
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3- (p76) Ishmael explains the traditions of his home. Think of three special occasions and explain the
traditions your family does for these three different times. On the line write the occasion. Inside the
shape write what the tradition is.
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4- Word Wizard: You are the word finder for this chapter. Your job is to look for special words in the story.
These words can be new, different, strange, funny, interesting, or important. Write the word, page
number, why you picked it and the definition.
Word Page number Why I picked it Definition
5- (page 79) Reread the stories of the boys. Write in the box the main points of what happened to each
one.
Musa’s story
Alhaji’s story
Jumah and Mariba’s story
Saidu’s story
Kanei’s story
Write your thoughts on

these stories.
6- (p81) Would you eat the crow? _____________________

What’s the worst thing you would eat if you were starving and there wasn’t any food?
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7- Reread the paragraph on page 81 starting with “Sometimes night has a way….” Write five TONE words
and five MOOD words. Remember: tone =The author’s attitude, stated or implied, toward a subject. Some
possible attitudes are pessimism, optimism, earnestness, seriousness, bitterness, humorous, and joyful. Mood=
How it makes the reader or viewer FEEL.
TONE MOOD
1- 1-
2- 2-
3- 3-
4- 4-
5- 5-
8- (p83) PREDICTION TIME:
After
(page 88) Ishmael says “Who will be next to leave us?” Answer the question and explain why
you think this.
Chapter 11- Before

the book will use the words in the story. As you are answering the questions, use the words in the
word bank. If there are any words you can’t use because they are too unfamiliar, list those words as
Mystery Words.
Gasps sister rain troublesome companions
Safety praying ache furious bananas
Intervened boasting smoke excitement sparks
Wailed consumed ashes explode regretted
Setting What is the next setting of the upcoming chapter?
Mystery Words
During
1- (p89) “I have a feeling that we will find our families, or at least news of them.” What do you predict
will happen next? Will they find their families? What will happen if they do or don’t?
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2- (p91) What does the term “Ngor” mean? _____________________________________________

What is our term for the same thing? __________________________________________________
3- (p96) Fill in the chart over what Ishmael is going through.
I was
thinking….
® ®
I saw this
happening…
I felt…
My actions
were to…
I feared…
4- Compare Ishmael to Andy in Tears of a Tiger.
Ishmael Both Andy
5- (p99) “The sun was getting ready to leave the sky. It had come out to take Gasemu with it.” What
does this mean? _________________________________________________________________
6- Color in the boxes of the plot diagram with a color that represents that part of the story. Explain why
Exposition you choose each color.
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Conclusion
Explanation:_______________________________________________________
Explanation:_______________________________________________________
Explanation:_______________________________________________________
Explanation:_______________________________________________________
Explanation:_______________________________________________________
After
1- Create a plot diagram of this chapter.
Rising Action Climax Falling Action
Exposition Conclusion
How will the story be altered after this chapter?

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What will change for Ishmael and why?

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Chapter 12- Before

Write down facts you know from the previous chapter. After you finish writing the facts, write a question that relates to
the fact.
F
During
1- (p101) “Apart from this, there were no indications that our childhood was threatened, much less that
we would be robbed of it.” How will they be robbed of their childhood?
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2- (p102) “Life was not lived in fear during the day in this village.” Explain your interpretation of this
quote.
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3- (p104) Should Ishmael be afraid right now? Is he safe? Why or why not?
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4- (p106) You are Ishmael with the group of boys. Explain what you think they should do and why.
5- (p109) “When the soldier stood in front of me, I avoided eye contact, so he straightened my head until
my eyes met his. He gave me the gun. I held it in my trembling hand. He added the magazine, and I
shook even more.” What is going through Ishmael’s head as this is happening?
6- (p109) “You are afraid of looking a man in the eye and afraid of holding a gun.” One of the soldiers
says this to Ishmael. Why is this bad?
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After- Ishmael now has his gun and has joined the soldiers.
Create 10 questions you have about what will happen next.
1. –
2. –
3. –
4. –
5. –
6. –
7. –
8. –
9. –
10. –
Chapter 13- Before

“It must have been a Sunday morning when the corporal told us to take the day off training. He tapped the
palm of his hand with the flat edge of his bayonet. ‘If you are religious, I mean a Christian; worship your Lord
today, because you might not have another chance. Dimissed.” This was told to the boys before they are to
start combat. What does the soldier mean?
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Using this quote, predict what this chapter will be about.

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During
1- (p116) The first full paragraph on the page talks about a plastic bag of “tablets.” What do you think
these tablets are and why are they used?
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2- (p116) Write in the first box the benefits of carrying more food and water then ammo. Write in the
second box the benefits of carrying more ammo then food and water.
Food and Water Ammo
1- 1-
2- 2-
3- 3-
3- (bottom of p116) “Tears had begun to form in my eyes, but I struggled to hide them and gripped my
gun for comfort.” Why does the gun comfort him? What comforts you when you are scared?
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4- (p119) “I raised my gun and pulled the trigger, and I killed a man.” Using markers, colored pencils, or
crayons, create a dot picture (using only dots) of what Ishmael is feeling. Inside of the dots, write emotion words
he was feeling.
5- (p119) Should Ishmael be punished for the killing he did? Why or why not?
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6- (p119) Starting with the paragraph “We took the guns…” draw a picture of the main idea or
symbolizing the paragraph.
7- (p120) “And Josiah—if only I had let him continue sleeping on the first day of training, perhaps he
wouldn’t have gone to the front line in the first place.” Is it his fault Josiah dies? What would have
happened to Josiah if he stayed in the house.
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8- Draw a picture of the two scenes. One showing what happened to Josiah. One showing what would
have happened to Josiah if he stayed asleep in the house.
After
Compare and contrast Ishmael from before getting caught by the soldiers to after. A minimum of THREE points
should be in EACH part of the circles
Would you consider Ishmael to be a “bad guy?” Why or why not?
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Chapter 14- Before
Create a plot diagram explaining what you will think happen from this point on. The exposition is filled in for
you. If the beginning is when he starts killing, what will the rising action be leading up to the climax which is
the biggest part of the story. Then complete the falling action, and conclusion of the story.
Ishmael starts killing people
During
1- (p121) What are the white capsules Ishmael is becoming addicted to? _____________________
2- What is the purpose of having the boys using so many drugs?

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3- As you read, stop at the following quotes and respond with your feelings, questions, and thoughts.
Write for about 2 minutes on each quote.
Page# Quote Quickwrite
122 “We also attacked __________________________________________________________
civilian villages to _
capture recruits and __________________________________________________________
whatever else we _
could find.” __________________________________________________________
_
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_
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_
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_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
122 “The idea of death __________________________________________________________

didn’t cross my mind _
at all and killing had __________________________________________________________
become as easy as _
drinking water. My __________________________________________________________
mind had not only _
snapped during the __________________________________________________________
first killing, it had also _
stopped making __________________________________________________________
remorseful records, _
or so it seemed.” __________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
122 “Whenever I looked __________________________________________________________

at rebels during raids, _
I got angrier, because __________________________________________________________
they looked like the _
rebels who played __________________________________________________________
cards in the ruins of _
the village where I __________________________________________________________
had lost my family. _
So when the __________________________________________________________
lieutenant gave _
orders, I shot as __________________________________________________________
many as I could, but I _
didn’t feel better. __________________________________________________________
After every gunfight _
we would enter the __________________________________________________________
rebel camp, killing _
those we had __________________________________________________________
wounded. _
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
123 “The flames on the __________________________________________________________

thatched roofs waves _
us off as they danced __________________________________________________________
with the afternoon _
breeze, swaying as if __________________________________________________________
in agony.” _
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
123 “We are not like the __________________________________________________________

rebels, those riffraffs _
who kill people for no __________________________________________________________
reason. We kill them _
for the good and __________________________________________________________
betterment of this _
country. So respect __________________________________________________________
all these men.” _
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
124 “This gun is your __________________________________________________________

source of power in _
these times. It will __________________________________________________________
protect you and _
provide you all you __________________________________________________________
need, if you know _
how to use it well.” __________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
124 “Sometimes we were __________________________________________________________

asked to leave for _
war in the middle of __________________________________________________________
a movie. We would _
come back hours __________________________________________________________
later after killing _
many people and __________________________________________________________
continue the movie _
as if we had just __________________________________________________________
returned from _
intermission. “ __________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
124 “We were supposed __________________________________________________________

to slice their throats _
on the corporal’s __________________________________________________________
command. The _
person whose __________________________________________________________
prisoner died _
quickest would win __________________________________________________________
the contest.” _
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
124 “I didn’t feel a thing __________________________________________________________
for him, didn’t think _
that much about __________________________________________________________
what I was doing. I _
just waited for the __________________________________________________________
corporal’s order. The _
prisoner was simply __________________________________________________________
another rebel who _
was responsible for __________________________________________________________
the death of my _
family, as I had come __________________________________________________________
to truly believe. _
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
125 “I was given the rank __________________________________________________________
of junior lieutenant _
and Kanei was given __________________________________________________________
junior sergeant. We _
celebrated that day’s __________________________________________________________
achievement with _
more drugs and more __________________________________________________________
war movies.” _
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________________
_
After
1- How has your opinion of Ishmael changed?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
2- Is it wrong to judge him when his situation caused him to become this? Explain.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
3- Is this situation with Ishmael the same as people who are in gangs and murdering? Explain.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
4- Compare and contrast gangs to child soldiers.
Gangs Both Child Soldiers
1- 1- 1-
2- 2- 2-
3- 3- 3-
Chapter 15- Before
Write a letter to Ishmael’s mother from him explaining what has happened to him and how he has
changed.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
___________________
the book will use the words in the story. As you are answering the questions, use the words in the
word bank. If there are any words you can’t use because they are too unfamiliar, list those words as
Mystery Words.
Selection chosen school city soldiers hijacking
Checkpoint cityscape foreigners screamed enemies

Setting What is the next setting of the upcoming chapter?
Mystery Words
During
1- Read the first paragraph and answer the following questions. (p126)
a- “My squad was my family, my gun was my provider and protector, and my rule was to kill or be killed.”
If this were a quote taken from a child in the United States, what would they be talking about?
_______________________________________________________________________________
b- Ishmael says “I feel no pity for anyone.” How is this different from the way he felt before?
_____________________________________________________________________________
2- Ishmael talks about how killing became a part of his daily activity. Create a schedule that explains
Ishmael’s day and then create a schedule of your day.
Ishmael’s Day Your Day
6am: 6am:
8am: 8am:
10am: 10am:
Noon: Noon:
2pm: 2pm:
3- How do the two schedules differ?
______________________________________________________________________________
4- How does it make you feel to know there are hundreds of children YOUR AGE living Ishmael’s schedule
every day?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
5- (p126) “We wanted to hear his war stories, hear how many people he had killed.” What did the boys
used to talk about? ______________________________________________________________
6- (p129) The boys are all lined up by order of the lieutenant. What is going on? Draw a scene that
happened before the boys were lined up of the lieutenant and the UNICEF men meeting. The scene
should explain what is going on.
A Haiku is a three lined poem. The first line has 5 syllables. The second line has 7 syllables. The third line has
5 syllables. Example:
Child soldiers kill (5 syllables: Chi-ld Sol-diers kill)
Their childhood is taken (7 syllables: Their Chi-ld-hood is ta-ken)
Someone save them please (5 syllables: Some-one save them please)
Create two different Haiku poems. One should be from the point of view of Ishmael and what he’s going
through and the other from the point of view of the how are trying to help him.
Ishmael foreigner
7- (p132) Why were the boys able to eat all of the food before the foreigner was able to turn around?
_______________________________________________________________________
8- (p133) Why are the boys fighting?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
9- (p134) “We fought for the RUF; the army is the enemy.” Prediction time:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
10- (p135) It hadn’t crossed their minds that a change of environment wouldn’t immediately make us
normal boys; we were dangerous, and brainwashed to kill.” Relate this quote to life and give an
example that this would also be true for.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
After
Complete the 3-2-1 summary
__________________________ ___________________________ __________________________

3 questions you still have after reading this chapter
______________________ _______________________
The two groups that were fighting in the chapter
__________________________
One prediction of what will happen next
Chapter 16- Before
Create a line graph showing Ishmael’s high and low points throughout the novel so far. Wherever you
have place a do, be sure to label it with what part in the story it goes with. You should have a minimum
of 8 parts in the novel. Put emotions from calm to crazy with different words in between. The first
example has been done for you.
indifferent (doesn’t care) 2 yrs after killing
Peaceful with family
During
1- (p139) What is the purpose in the boys being there if they are going to destroy everything?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
2- (p140) After Poppay returned from being beaten up he said “It is not your fault that you did such a
thing to me.” How hard would it be to forgive someone for hurting you when you didn’t do anything
wrong?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
3- Write about a time when someone forgave you or you forgave them when you/they shouldn’t have.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
4- (p142) After reading page 142-143, draw out the map of their plan. Be sure to include: the gunmen,
the bundles with food, the positions the boys were stationed, where Alhaji practiced his Rambo moves,
the dead bodies Alhaji killed, and where the others were at when the shooting began.
5- (p144) Ishmael explains Alhaji’s nickname became “Little Rambo” and his became “Green Snake.” If
you had to come up with your own nickname off of the way you were in school, what would it be?
________________________________________________
6- (p145) Are the boys making progress? Why or why not?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
7- (p147) Ishmael and his friends go to the city for the first time. Write five words that explain how they
were feeling.
8- Write about a time when you saw something for the first time or experienced something you never
had.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
9- What did you and Ishmael have in common with the experiences?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
10- (p149) Compare and contrast the way the boys reacted between Moriba’s death and Saidu’s.
Moriba’s death Both Saidu’s death
After
1- Give chapter 16 a title. Write the title in the box provided.
2- Imagine you only have $2.00 and each word you use costs you 10 cents. Summarize chapter 16 for
$2.00.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 17- Before
1- Complete the 3-2-1
_____________________________ _________________________ __________________________

Write three words you can picture from chapter 16
________________________ ______________________________
Write two events or details that surprised you from chapter 16
________________________________
Write one question you still have.
During
As you are reading chapter 17, fill in the section notes to take “Reading Notations”. Each page needs to have at least ONE
note with explanations. Write down the quote, the notations, and an explanation.
Example
↑- If I were with the group of

boys, I would have stolen food. If I
didn’t I would die. When it comes to
surviving, you have to do what it
takes.
Page Quote Notation Explanation
number
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
After
1- Give chapter 17 a title. Write the title in the box provided.
2- Imagine you only have $2.00 and each word you use costs you 10 cents. Summarize chapter 17 for
$2.00.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 18- Before
Create a list of at least FIVE ways Ishmael has made progress so far on the left. On the right write FIVE areas he
still needs to work on.
1- 1-
2- 2-
3- 3-
4- 4-
5- 5-
During
1- (p168)Ishmael enjoys talking to Ester because she reminds him of Abigail. Who is a person you are able
to talk to easily because they have been through a lot of the same things you have or grew up in the
same area? _______________________________________________________________________
2- (p168) Create a timeline showing how Ishmael has changed from the beginning of the book to where
you are now. Some of the change will be good; some of the change will be bad. You should have a
minimum of ten events that show how he has changed.
3- Create an advice column ran by Ishmael. You should have three current child soldiers write in with
their questions to him and thorough paragraph answers to the soldiers from Ishmael.
Question: Question:
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
______________________________ ______________________________
Answer: Answer:
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
________________________________ ________________________________
Question:
_____________________________________
______________________________
Answer:
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
________________________________
4- Next create a 10 step how to list from Ishmael to child soldiers on how to rehabilitate from being a child
soldier.
How to Rehabilitate from Being a Child Solider
Step 1: ___________________________________________________
Step 2:___________________________________________________
Step 3:___________________________________________________
Step 4: ___________________________________________________
Step 5: ___________________________________________________
Step 6: ___________________________________________________
Step 7:___________________________________________________
Step 8: ___________________________________________________
Step 9: ___________________________________________________
Step 10: _________________________________________________
5- (p172) Create a dot picture showing the feelings Ishmael has after meeting his uncle for the first time.
6- How would you feel if you had to live with a family member you had never met before in your life
because there was no one else around to live with?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
7- (p175) Write about a story you remember one of your parents/guardians once told you that you will
never forget.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
After
Write a rap about Ishmael’s life and what he has gone through. The rap must have 3 versus with four lines
each verse. The first two lines will rhyme and the last two lines will rhyme. (unless you are good at this and
want to do it another way)
Verse 1:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Verse 2:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Verse 3:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 19- Before
Question Matrix- Write ten questions about the last chapters of this book you have. The
questions have to be about what WILL happen and not what already happened.

Is
Won’t
Did
Might
Should
Will Ishmael visit

him home
country?
During-Create a comic strip of chapter 19. Each box must have dialogue or
captions. All of the major parts of the two chapters must be included.
After
Answer the following questions about chapter 19.
Who was involved?
What events happened?
When did events take place?
Where did it take place?
Why did the events happen?
How did your pages end?
Based on this information above. Write a couple of sentences explaining what your pages were about.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Student Study Guide
Chapter 1
16- After reading the first paragraph, what is the tone set by the author? Explain using evidence from the
book.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
17- “At times I thought that some of the stories the passersby told were exaggerated.” What does this
quote say about the narrator and about his future? (p5)
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
18- The main character talks about layering up his clothing. He then says “They were fashionable, and we
had no idea that this unusual way of dressing was going to benefit us.” (p7) What is he foreshadowing?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
paragraph.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________ _______________ _____________ ______________
21- (p10) Gibrilla says that they “must go back and see if we can find our families before it is too late.” Is
this a wise choice? Yes/No and why?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
22- What is the relationship between the main character and his stepmother? What evidence gave you
this information? (p10) Look for specific lines and QUOTE them.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Narrator U.S. child
24- How did the tone and mood switch from the beginning of the chapter towards the end of the chapter?
Use evidence from the novel to support your claim.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
25- (p14) What are the rebels fighting for?

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
27- Give chapter one a title. _______________________________________________________________
28- The narrator flashes back and forth in time. What is the effect of this technique? Do you as a reader
appreciate this or would you prefer he stays chronological? Explain.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 2
5- The novel flashed forward in time. What is happening in this chapter?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
6- Give chapter two a title. _______________________________________________________________________
Chapter 3
7- From page 22-23 describe the change of atmosphere giving evidence from the novel. How did the tone change?
Tone p22 Evidence Tone p23 Evidence
8- What is the mood created by the author on pages 23-25? What lines help to create that mood?
Mood created on pages 23-25 Evidence from the novel
9- If the boys are caught by the rebels, what will happen to them? Why is this bad?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
10- (p25) “causing his remains and blood to sprinkle like rain on the nearby leaves and bushes.”
What is this type of comparison called? _____________________
Why is the author trying to paint this picture for the reader?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Chapters 4
6- What risks are the boys taking by sneaking back to Mattru Jong? Is the risk worth the reward?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
7- How does the author create suspense in this chapter? Give evidence from the novel.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
8- Why did the narrator think the risk they took going back to Mattru Jong was not worth the effort?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
9- Explain what Ishmael means in this line “We had yet to learn these things and implement survival
tactics, which was what it came down to” (p29).
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Chapters 5
1- Why does Ishmael include the story of taking the ears of corn from the child in the novel?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
2- Why do the boys stand by and watch the old man being harassed and shot at? Are they wrong for
sitting back and watching?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
3- Explain what Ishmael means when he says “I used the only freedom that I had then, my thought. They
couldn’t see it.”
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
4- Ishmael and most of the boys escaped death and capture. What do you predict will be their next action
plan? What will happen when they make that move?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
5- When the rebels capture the boys, they start a selection process. Why? What were the rebels looking
for? Explain using evidence from the novel.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Chapters 6
1- Ishmael states that “being in a group of six boys was not to our advantage.” Write the benefits and
disadvantages for them being in a group.
Benefits Disadvantages
2- Ishmael explains one of the consequences of civil war is the lack of trust between people. Why would people
stop trusting each other?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
3- Ishmael and the boys get jobs being watchmen in a village. They are to watch for the rebels. “We did
this for about a month and nothing happened. Still, we knew the rebels well enough to brace for their
arrival. But we lost our vigilance to the gradual passing of time.” What does vigilance mean in this
context and why did they lose it?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
4- Ishmael and Junior are separated due to the rebels. Was it the fault of the village for becoming
relaxed? Could they have prevented the attack?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Chapters 7
Read the quotes from chapter seven and fill in the Reading Notations chart with one of the symbols and an explanation.

Example
Page # Quote Symbol Explanation

47 “I mounted the How was he able to climb the tree the first time
coconut tree quite fast
and unexpectedly. By
! without any energy, but he couldn’t when he was
the time I realized
well rested? I wonder if it was an adrenalin rush
what I was doing… I because he was so hungry.
was already at the
top…I think I have
enough energy now to
climb and pick more
coconuts… But it was
impossible.”
44 “The rebels captured
him (the imam) and
demanded to know
what parts of the
forest people were
hiding in, but the
imam refused to tell
them.”
46 “I became frustrated
with living in fear. I
felt as if I was always
waiting for death to
come to me, so I
decided to go
somewhere at least
there was peace.”
46 “Every morning I
made my own fate by
deciding which was I
was going to go. “
48 “I was glad to see
other faces and at the
same time
disappointed that the
war had destroyed the
enjoyment of the very
experience of meeting
people. Even a
twelve-year-old
couldn’t be trusted
anymore.
Chapter 8
Chapters 9
e- Contorted (p58): “We all looked at him and his face contorted with confusion.”
_____________________________________________________________________________
f- Boasted (p62): “Kanei boasted about being an excellent soccer player.”

_____________________________________________________________________________
g- Disconsolate (p65): “Her voice was trembling with sadness, and she wiped her disconsolate face as she
_____________________________________________________________________________
6- The title to the memoir is revealed in this chapter. Explain the meaning of the title a long way gone.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
7- The host took care of the boys, helping them to heal. Why do you believe he did this?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
8- The stick person below is a villager that does not want the boys around. Fill in the lines explaining what
they are thinking, seeing, etc…
I see…
I think…
I hear…
I feel…
I am going to…
I am not going to…
9- The cassette tapes have now saved Ishmael twice. What do these rap cassette tapes symbolize? Why do people
let them go after hearing them?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 10
disappointed, since I always expected the worst to happen.” (p69) Do you agree with this? Is it easier
to live expecting the worst or be hopeful for better?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
11- The boys reflect on memories and stories from home. How does this help or hurt them? Why does the
author include these memories into this memoir? What purpose does it have for the reader?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
12- What could the crow symbolize?

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
13- Reread the stories of the attack for each boy. Paraphrase what happened to each of them.
Musa’s story (p78-79)
Alhaji’s story
Kanei’s story
Jumah and Mariba’s story
Saidu’s story

these stories.
14- Write 3 tone and 3 mood words that represent this chapter. Find a quote that creates the tone/mood
words chosen. Remember: tone =The author’s attitude, stated or implied, toward a subject. Some possible
attitudes are pessimism, optimism, earnestness, seriousness, bitterness, humorous, and joyful. Mood= How it
makes the reader or viewer feel.
Quote Tone Mood

1.
2.
3.
15- Should the woman have given the boys hope about finding their families? Is it better for them to have
hope or let the thoughts of their families being alive go? Why?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
16- What do you predict will happen next for the boys on their journey?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 11
1- (p98) “The bullets continued to fly behind us, but now their redness could be seen as they pierced
through the bushes. The moon disappeared and took the stars with it, making the sky weep. Its
tears saved us from the red bullets.” What does the author use personification to explain?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
does the author use personification to explain?
_________________________________________________________________________________
3- Fill in the plot chart with events from this chapter.

Exposition
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Conclusion
Chapter 12-
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
quote.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
9- Is there a difference between the rebels recruiting the young boys and the soldiers getting the boys to
fight with them? Explain.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
10- The lieutenant says “They (rebels) have lost everything that makes them human. They do not deserve
to live. That is why we must kill every single one of them. Think of it as destroying a great evil. It is the
highest service you can perform for your country.” (p108) Do you agree or disagree? Why? Should
Ishmael and his friends join the army?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
11- The tone of the chapter changes. Write the new tone words and find quotes from the chapter as
evidence of this change.
Tone Change Quote
12- Do you believe the rebels really killed the man and the boy or were the soldiers trying to make a point?
Explain.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
13- What do the cassettes being thrown into the fire and melting symbolize?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
14- The lieutenant tells the boys to “Visualize the banana tree as the enemy, the rebels who killed your
parents, your family, and those who are responsible for everything that has happened to you.” How did
this make his training effective?
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15- How has Ishmael changed in this chapter? Give evidence of your answer.
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Chapter 13-
9- (p115) “The daily birdsongs were gone, replaced now by the raising of firing levers as the older soldiers
readied themselves.” What is the purpose of this line?
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10- (p119) “I raised my gun and pulled the trigger, and I killed a man.” Why was this a turning point in
Ishmael’s life? Give examples of how he started to change after this event.
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11- Give three examples of imagery.
1.
2.
3.
Chapter 14-
4- What is the purpose of having the boys using so many drugs?
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5- “When we ran out of food, drugs, ammunition, and gasoline to watch war films, we raided rebel camps,
in towns, villages, and forests. We also attacked civilian villages to capture recruits and whatever else
we could find.” (p 122) Are the soldiers any different than the rebels? Explain.
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6- As you read, record quotes as evidence of Ishmael’s change. Then write your thoughts, questions, and
feelings to those quotes.

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7- Has your opinion of Ishmael changed? Why or why not? Is it wrong to judge him based on his
situation? Why or why not?
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Chapter 15-
11- Ishmael says “I feel no pity for anyone.” How is this different from the way he felt before?
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12- Compare and contrast the rebels and soldiers to gangs in America.
Gangs in America Rebels/Soldiers in the

story
Similarities
Differences Differences
13- Compare and contrast your life from Ishmael’s.

Your life Ishmael’s life
Similarities
14- How does it make you feel to know there are hundreds of children YOUR AGE living Ishmael’s life every
day?
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used to talk about compared to now?
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17- Why did the fight occur?
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18- What didn’t the UNICEF people think about before bringing the boy soldiers together? What
consequence did this mistake have? Why?
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19- Why do you think the Lieutenant gave up the boys to UNICEF?
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20- Why do you think the rebels and army recruited the young boys instead of grown men?
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Chapter 16-
11- (p139) What is the purpose in the boys being there if they are going to destroy everything?
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thing to me.” What does he mean?
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13- (p145) Are the boys making progress? Use evidence from the chapter to explain.
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14- Why do the staff members and medical staff stay calm and forgiving with the boys?
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15- What is the difference between Ishamael’s reaction to Saidu’s death versus Moriba’s death? Why?
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Chapter 17-
1- Esther brings music back into Ishmael’s life. What role does it play? Is its role different than earlier in
the story? Explain your answer.
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2- Why does Ishmael change his mind about Esther?
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3- What do you think the dream that Ishmael has with his family means?
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4- What does Esther see in Ishmael that keeps her believing in his rehabilitation? Give examples.
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Chapter 18-
8- Create a timeline showing how Ishamel has changed from the beginning of the book to now. Some of
the change will be good; some of the change will be bad. You should have a minimum of ten events
that show his life and how it has changed.
9- Ishmael says “children have the resilience to outlive their sufferings, if given a chance.” What does this
mean?
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Chapter 19-
questions have to be about what WILL happen and not what already happened. An example
has been done for you.
Is
Won’t
Did
Might
Should
Will When will

Ishmael visit
him home
country?
1- Ishmael asks about Esther and the other rehabilitating staff members “Why does she do it? Why do they all do
it?” What are your thoughts?
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2- What stops Ishmael from dating girls for too long?

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3- Ishmael goes for an interview and talks about being in a “congested box.” What is the box?
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4- Based on Ishmael’s interview, why do you think he was chosen?

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5- Why does Ishmael gets so frustrated with “city” people?

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6- What does Ishmael’s uncle say that shows he does not believe Ishmael is going to New York?
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Chapter 20-
1- What new experiences does Ishmael have while in New York?
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2- What does Dr. Tamba mean when he tells Ishmael “when you are in Rome, you do as the Romans do.”
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3- Why do you think Ishmael’s uncle didn’t believe he was going to New York?
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4- Explain what Ishmael means when he says “It seemed we were transforming our sufferings as we talked
about ways to solve their causes and let them be known to the world.”
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5- Write a reflection over the following quotes from the chapter. What are your thoughts, questions, feelings over
the quotes?
Quote Reflection
“I have been rehabilitated now, so don’t be afraid of
me. I am not a soldier anymore; I am a child.”
(p199)
“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.” (p199)
“I was sad to leave, but I was also pleased to have

met people outside of Sierra Leone. Because if I was
to get killed upon my return, I knew that a memory
of my existence was alive somewhere in the world.”
(p200)
Chapter 21-
As you are reading the last chapter, fill in the Reading Notations chart with one of the symbols and an explanation.
Example

214 The bus was When I lived in Africa, we had to take transportation
overcrowded, so I
stood for most of the
√ that was overcrowded and uncomfortable. We had to
trip. In over fifty miles
stop multiple times. It would take 3-4 hours to get
to the capital there somewhere that was only 45 miles away.
were more than
fifteen checkpoints
and the soldiers were
unmerciful.
1- How does Ishmael feel about his new life? Use quotes from the chapter as evidence.
Feelings about the new life Quotes as Evidence
1- What is ironic about the war that began in the city?

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2- What does the Ishmael mean when he says “The gunshots didn’t cease for the next five months; they
became the new sound of the city”? (p206)
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3- The book ends abruptly. Ishmael is still on his journey and is not safe yet. He ends the book with a
story about a monkey. Why is this story significant and how does it relate to the themes of Ishmael’s
life story?
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4- What are some clues in past chapters that tell us what happens to Ishmael? Give evidence from the book that
explains his outcome. (chapter 20)
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5- What are your thoughts on the ending of the memoir? Explain.

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6- Is there information from the book that Ishmael left out that you are curious about? Why might he have left
those parts out of his story?
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7- Why didn’t Ishmael tell the story chronologically from beginning to end? Why do you think he used flash-
forwards and flashbacks?
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TEACHER’S GUIDE
Student Study Guide
Chapter 1
29- After reading the first paragraph, what is the tone set by the author? Explain using evidence from the
book. (answers will vary)
There is a sadness that is set with hopelessness. Refugees walking hundreds of miles, relatives killed,
houses burned, refusing help from others, scared of sounds, fatigue and malnourishment
30- “At times I thought that some of the stories the passersby told were exaggerated.” What does this
quote say about the narrator and about his future? (p5)
The narrator is naïve and in denial about what is to come
31- The main character talks about layering up his clothing. He then says “They were fashionable, and we
had no idea that this unusual way of dressing was going to benefit us.” (p7) What is he foreshadowing?
They will need the layers of clothing in the future when they won’t have any other clothing because of
where they will be.
paragraph.
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serene blissful peaceful relaxing
34- (p10) Gibrilla says that they “must go back and see if we can find our families before it is too late.” Is
this a wise choice? Yes/No and why?
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35- What is the relationship between the main character and his stepmother? What clues gave you this
information? (p10) Look for specific lines and QUOTE them.
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Narrator U.S. child
Rebels burning down village Free education
And killing families Rap
School
Canoe as major transportation
divorce
37- How did the tone and mood switch from the beginning of the chapter towards the end of the chapter?
Use evidence from the novel to support your claim.
The chapter started out hopeful and playful. They talked about dancing to the rap music, “the sun
peacefully sailed through the white clouds, birds sang from treetops, the trees danced” (p10).
Then it switches to fear and horror as people are murdered. “The wind had stpped moving and
daylight seemed to be quickly giving to night.” (13) There’s blood, crying, and screaming.
38- (p14) What are the rebels fighting for? Liberation from a corrupt government
The moon brings happiness.
40- Give chapter one a title. _______________________________________________________________
41- The narrator flashes back and forth in time. What is the effect of this technique? Do you as a reader
appreciate this or would you prefer he stays chronological? Explain.
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Chapter 2
11- The novel flashed forward in time. What is happening in this chapter?
The narrator is living in New York (“I tried to think about my new life in New York City, where I had been
for over a month.” However, he keeps remember his life in Sierra Leone where he had been involved in
the murdering.
12- Give chapter two a title. _______________________________________________________________________
Chapter 3
1- From page 22-23 describe the change of atmosphere giving evidence from the novel. How did the tone change?
Tone p22 Evidence Tone p23 Evidence

quiet, eerie “the town became scary… Terrifying, confusion “Everyone just ran to save
the moon wasn’t in the sky; his or her life. Families
the air was stiff, as if nature were separated”
itself was afraid of what was
happening”
Live, hopeful “The town came alive again. Worried, frantic “Mothers were screaming
Schools reopened; people the names of their lost
returned to their normal children, and the lost
routines” children cried in vain.”
Peaceful, relaxed “Five days went by Fearful, hopeless, hostile “the rebels began shooting
peacefully, and even the their guns at people instead
solders in town relaxed” of shooting into the sky.”
2- What is the mood created by the author on pages 23-25? What lines help to create that mood?
Mood created on pages 23-25 Evidence from the novel

Answers will vary Answers will vary
Enraged
Frustrated
Nervous
Suspenseful
Terrifying
Stressful
Violent
3- If the boys are caught by the rebels, what will happen to them? Why is this bad?
If they are caught, they will be branded with the RUF initials and scarred for life. They can never escape
or they will be killed immediately by soldiers or militant civilians.
4- (p25) “causing his remains and blood to sprinkle like rain on the nearby leaves and bushes.”
What is this type of comparison called? Simile
Why is the author trying to paint this picture for the reader? There is so much blood that it’s dropping like
rain drops on the leaves. This is how many people have been murdered that blood is in the air.
Chapters 4
10- What risks are the boys taking by sneaking back to Mattru Jong? Is the risk worth the reward?
They risk getting caught by any left behind rebels. Answers may vary
11- How does the author create suspense in this chapter? Give evidence from the novel.
He explains the town as being “quiet and almost barren” as they walk in giving the town an eerie
feeling. There are dead bodies all over. The reader is not sure what is going to happen next. Then
rebels show up and create a fearful tone. “There was no immediate cover, so we had to swiftly run
onto a verandah and hide behind stacks of cement bricks.” The reader can envision the boys hiding and
waiting. When they leave, the boys are sneaking away until “one boy among the last batch to cross the
clearing was too slow, because he carried a big bag of things he had gathered from his house. As a
result, the rebels who were on guard in the tower saw him and opened fire.” The reader is in suspense
wondering if the boys are going to make it or get shot.
12- Why did the narrator think the risk they took going back to Mattru Jong was not worth the effort?
The money they found was worthless since no one was selling food, and they became more tired and
hungry by walking to Mattru Jong. They got nothing out of the trip.
13- Explain what Ishmael means in this line “We had yet to learn these things and implement survival
tactics, which was what it came down to” (p29).
The boys are not yet strategic. They are just trying to survive. If they want to survive, they are going to
have to think in a different way.
Chapters 5
6- Why does Ishmael include the story of taking the ears of corn from the child in the novel?
This shows not only their level of hunger but what they are desperate enough to do to take care of
their needs.
7- Why do the boys stand by and watch the old man being harassed and shot at? Are they wrong for
sitting back and watching?
If they try and help the man, they will most likely be shot and killed. (answers may vary)
8- Explain what Ishmael means when he says “I used the only freedom that I had then, my thought. They
couldn’t see it.”
The rebels could capture him, but they could not control his thoughts. The only freedom he had at that
moment was the freedom to think whatever he wanted.
9- Ishmael and most of the boys escaped death and capture. What do you predict will be their next action
plan? What will happen when they make that move?
Answers will vary
10- When the rebels capture the boys, they start a selection process. Why? What were they looking for?
Explain using evidence from the novel.
They wanted “strong recruits”. They needed more boys to become rebels and wanted tough ones who
could fight and kill.
Chapters 6
5- Ishmael states that “being in a group of six boys was not to our advantage.” Write the benefits and
disadvantages for them being in a group. Answers will vary
Benefits Disadvantages
People in other villages might not attack them People in other villages might really think they are with
because they can fight back as a group the rebels because they are such a big group
More people to help out finding food, shelter, and Harder to hide six people.
water.
They have company. They can trust each other. More people to find food for.
Security with more numbers.
6- Ishmael explains one of the consequences of civil war is the lack of trust between people. Why would people
stop trusting each other?
People were in survival mode. They were out to save themselves and do whatever it took to do this.
They might steal, cheat, and kill each other to save themselves.
7- Ishmael and the boys get jobs being watchmen in a village. They are to watch for the rebels. “We did
this for about a month and nothing happened. Still, we knew the rebels well enough to brace for their
arrival. But we lost our vigilance to the gradual passing of time.” What does vigilance mean in this
context and why did they lose it?
Vigilance is to be on alert and watchful. They stopped being serious about watching for the rebels
when it had been a month without the rebels showing up.
8- Ishmael and Junior are separated due to the rebels. Was it the fault of the village for becoming
relaxed? Could they have prevented the attack?
Answers will vary
Chapters 7
Read the quotes from chapter seven and fill in the Reading Notations chart with one of the symbols and an explanation.

Example

47 “I mounted the How was he able to climb the tree the first time
coconut tree quite fast
and unexpectedly. By
! without any energy, but he couldn’t when he was
the time I realized
well rested? I wonder if it was an adrenalin rush
what I was doing… I because he was so hungry.
was already at the
top…I think I have
enough energy now to
climb and pick more
coconuts… But it was
impossible.”
44 “The rebels captured
him (the imam) and
demanded to know
what parts of the
forest people were
hiding in, but the
imam refused to tell
them.”
46 “I became frustrated
with living in fear. I
felt as if I was always
waiting for death to
come to me, so I
decided to go
somewhere at least
there was peace.”
46 “Every morning I
made my own fate by
deciding which was I
was going to go. “
48 “I was glad to see
other faces and at the
same time
disappointed that the
war had destroyed the
enjoyment of the very
experience of meeting
people. Even a
twelve-year-old
couldn’t be trusted
anymore.
Chapter 8
Chapters 9
h- Contorted (p58): “We all looked at him and his face contorted with confusion.”
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i- Boasted (p62): “Kanei boasted about being an excellent soccer player.”

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j- Disconsolate (p65): “Her voice was trembling with sadness, and she wiped her disconsolate face as she
_____________________________________________________________________________
11- The title to the memoir is revealed in this chapter. Explain the meaning of the title a long way gone.
He says that he is a long way gone from his home in Mattru Jong. He’s far from the life he once had.
12- The host took care of the boys, helping them to heal. Why do you believe he did this?
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13- The stick person below is a villager that does not want the boys around. Fill in the lines explaining what
they are thinking, seeing, etc…
I see…
I think…
I hear…
I feel…
I am going to…
I am not going to…
14- The cassette tapes have now saved Ishmael twice. What do these rap cassette tapes symbolize? Why do people
let them go after hearing them?
They symbolize the freedom to relax and live life without fear but with joy. Watching him dance and
sing, shows a child who is having fun. This takes the vision of fear out of the chief’s eyes and lets him
see them for what they are, children.
Chapter 10
disappointed, since I always expected the worst to happen.” (p69) Do you agree with this? Is it easier
to live expecting the worst or be hopeful for better?
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19- The boys reflect on memories and stories from home. How does this help or hurt them? Why does the
author include these memories into this memoir? What purpose does it have for the reader?
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20- Reread the stories of the attack for each boy. Paraphrase what happened to each of them.
Musa’s story (p78-79)  He was home with his father

 Mother was at the market
 They ran to the market to save the mom and escaped from there
 Realized after they sat to rest that the mother was not with them
 The father went back to get the mother
 The village was attacked and Musa was on his own
Alhaji’s story  He was at the river
 Ran home but it was too late
 The house was empty without his family
Kanei’s story  Escaped with parents but lost siblings
 Escaped in a boat
 Rebels shot at the boat which caused chaos and the boat to fall over
 Swam safely to the other side
 Was told his parents made it but he didn’t find them
Jumah and Mariba’s story  Houses were destroyed
 Ran to the wharf and forest but couldn’t find their family
Saidu’s story  All of his family hid under the bed
 He was in the attic getting food
 Rebels found his family
 Raped and took the sisters
these stories.
1- Write 3 tone and 3 mood words that represent this chapter. Find a quote that creates the tone/mood
words chosen. Remember: tone =The author’s attitude, stated or implied, toward a subject. Some possible
attitudes are pessimism, optimism, earnestness, seriousness, bitterness, humorous, and joyful. Mood= How it
makes the reader or viewer feel. Answers will vary
Quote Tone Mood

1.
2.
3.
2- Should the woman have given the boys hope about finding their families? Is it better for them to have
hope or let the thoughts of their families being alive go? Why? Answers will vary
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3- What do you predict will happen next for the boys on their journey? Answers will vary
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Chapter 11
4- (p98) “The bullets continued to fly behind us, but now their redness could be seen as they pierced
through the bushes. The moon disappeared and took the stars with it, making the sky weep. Its
tears saved us from the red bullets.” What does the author use personification to explain?
Bullets were being shot everywhere. They could see the bullets as they were bursting through the
bushes. It started to rain saving them from getting shot.
does the author use personification to explain? The sun set and as it did Gasemu died.
6- Fill in the plot chart with events from this chapter.

Exposition
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Conclusion
Chapter 12-
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quote.
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18- Is there a difference between the rebels recruiting the young boys and the soldiers getting the boys to
fight with them? Explain.
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19- The lieutenant says “They (rebels) have lost everything that makes them human. They do not deserve
to live. That is why we must kill every single one of them. Think of it as destroying a great evil. It is the
highest service you can perform for your country.” (p108) Do you agree or disagree? Why? Should
Ishmael and his friends join the army?
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20- The tone of the chapter changes. Write the new tone words and find quotes from the chapter as
evidence of this change. Answers will vary
Tone Change Quote

Gloomy “The morning sun had disappeared and the day
became gloomy.” (p108)
Disappointing, discouraging “The morning didn’t come just with sunrise; it

brought with it soldiers, the few who were able to
make it back to the village.” (p 105)
Eerie “The echo of their marching leaving an eerie air about

the village that continued until danw and through the
rest of the day.” (p105)
21- Do you believe the rebels really killed the man and the boy or were the soldiers trying to make a point?
Explain.
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____________________________________________________________________________________
22- What do the cassettes being thrown into the fire and melting symbolize?
They symbolize the end of what Ishmael knew of himself and the beginning of a new him. This is where
Ishmael will become a dynamic character.
23- The lieutenant tells the boys to “Visualize the banana tree as the enemy, the rebels who killed your
parents, your family, and those who are responsible for everything that has happened to you.” How did
this make his training effective?
This made them angry and want to become better soldiers to kill rebels.
24- How has Ishmael changed in this chapter? Give evidence of your answer.
He is becoming angry instead of sad. Brave instead of fearful. His empathy and compassion are fading
away. “I imagined capturing several rebels at once, locking them inside a house, sprinkling gasoline on
it, and tossing a match. We watch it burn and I laugh.”
Chapter 13-
12- (p115) “The daily birdsongs were gone, replaced now by the raising of firing levers as the older soldiers
readied themselves.” What is the purpose of this line?
The happiness in that village is now gone. There’s no more gaiety but instead preparation for war.
Reality has started to hit.
13- (p119) “I raised my gun and pulled the trigger, and I killed a man.” Why was this a turning point in
Ishmael’s life? Give examples of how he started to change after this event.
Killing this man has made Ishmael feel better about what has happened. He is starting to get revenge
for all of the death that has been around him. He is no longer a naïve boy, but a soldier in war.
“Every time I stopped shooting to change magazines and saw my two young lifeless friends, I angrily
pointed my gun into the swamp and killed more people.” (p119)
“I was not afraid of these lifeless bodies.” (p119)
“Nothing happened in my head. It was void…” (p120)
“We went out two more times that week and I had no problem shooting my gun.” (p120)
14- Give three examples of imagery. Answers will vary- Example answers…
1. The sun showed flashes of the tips of guns and bullets traveling toward us. (p118)
2. Bodies had begun to pile on top of each other near a short palm tree, where fronds dripped blood.
(p118)
3. One lonely cricket tried to start singing, but none of its companions joined in, so it stopped to let
silence bring night. (p119)
Chapter 14-
8- What is the purpose of having the boys using so many drugs? It helps to control them. They will
become dependent on the drugs, plus it changes their moods. It helps get them ready to kill.
9- “When we ran out of food, drugs, ammunition, and gasoline to watch war films, we raided rebel camps,
in towns, villages, and forests. We also attacked civilian villages to capture recruits and whatever else
we could find.” (p 122) Are the soldiers any different than the rebels? Explain.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
10- As you read, record quotes as evidence of Ishmael’s change. Example answers..

122 “The idea of death didn’t ___________________________________________________________
cross my mind at all and ___________________________________________________________
killing had become as easy as ___________________________________________________________
drinking water. My mind had ___________________________________________________________
not only snapped during the
___________________________________________________________
first killing, it had also
___________________________________________________________
stopped making remorseful
records, or so it seemed.”
122 “Whenever I looked at rebels ___________________________________________________________
during raids, I got angrier, ___________________________________________________________
because they looked like the ___________________________________________________________
rebels who played cards in ___________________________________________________________
the ruins of the village where
___________________________________________________________
I had lost my family. So
___________________________________________________________
when the lieutenant gave
orders, I shot as many as I ___________________________________________________________
could, but I didn’t feel better. ___________________________________________________________
123 “We are not like the rebels, ___________________________________________________________

those riffraffs who kill people ___________________________________________________________
for no reason. We kill them ___________________________________________________________
for the good and betterment ___________________________________________________________
of this country. So respect
___________________________________________________________
all these men.”
124 “This gun is your source of ___________________________________________________________

power in these times. It will ___________________________________________________________
protect you and provide you ___________________________________________________________
all you need, if you know ___________________________________________________________
how to use it well.”
124 “Sometimes we were asked ___________________________________________________________
to leave for war in the ___________________________________________________________
middle of a movie. We ___________________________________________________________
would come back hours later ___________________________________________________________
after killing many people and
___________________________________________________________
continue the movie as if we
___________________________________________________________
had just returned from
intermission. “
124 “We were supposed to slice ___________________________________________________________
their throats on the ___________________________________________________________
corporal’s command. The ___________________________________________________________
person whose prisoner died ___________________________________________________________
quickest would win the
___________________________________________________________
contest.”
124 “I didn’t feel a thing for him, ___________________________________________________________

didn’t think that much about ___________________________________________________________
what I was doing. I just ___________________________________________________________
waited for the corporal’s ___________________________________________________________
order. The prisoner was
___________________________________________________________
simply another rebel who ___________________________________________________________
was responsible for the ___________________________________________________________
death of my family, as I had
___________________________________________________________
come to truly believe. ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
125 “I was given the rank of ___________________________________________________________
junior lieutenant and ___________________________________________________________
Kanei was given junior ___________________________________________________________
sergeant. We celebrated ___________________________________________________________
that day’s achievement ___________________________________________________________
with more drugs and more ___________________________________________________________
war movies.” ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
124 I stood there holding my ___________________________________________________________

gun and felt special ___________________________________________________________
because I was part of ___________________________________________________________
something that took me ___________________________________________________________
seriously and I was not ___________________________________________________________
running from anyone ___________________________________________________________
anymore. ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
11- Has your opinion of Ishmael changed? Why or why not? Is it wrong to judge him based on his
situation? Why or why not?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 15-
21- Ishmael says “I feel no pity for anyone.” How is this different from the way he felt before?
_____________________________________________________________________________
22- Compare and contrast the rebels and soldiers to gangs in America.
Gangs in America Rebels/Soldiers in the

story
Similarities
*recruitment of young
*laws, police, government *part of “war” in the
*violence- kill or be killed
try to stop without violence country
unless necessary *apathetic
*taking out villages and all
*Not all around them have *”family” notion of their civilians
to get involved
*lots of death *fighting in the name of
*Can still be involved in “righteous”
*clothing that represent
everyday living- school,
them
work, etc..
1- Compare and contrast your life from Ishmael’s.
Your life Ishmael’s life
Similarities
2- How does it make you feel to know there are hundreds of children YOUR AGE living Ishmael’s life every
day?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
used to talk about compared to now? They would tell fables and stories from their home villages. Now
they only think to talk about killing and war.
They were trained to eat in under a minute.
5- Why did the fight occur? The army boys came across rebel boys. Both sides are trained to
automatically kill the other side no matter what.
6- What didn’t the UNICEF people think about before bringing the boy soldiers together? What
consequence did this mistake have? Why?
The boys are brainwashed to kill and bringing both groups of boys together could only result in fighting
and death. Because of them not thinking about this, boys from both sides ended up injured and killed.
7- Why do you think the Lieutenant gave up the boys to UNICEF? Answers will vary
Factual reason… (In 2002 the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child made it
illegal for children under the age of 15 to be enlisted into the army) The Lieutenant was forced to
remove all children under the age of 15.
8- Why do you think the rebels and army recruited the young boys instead of grown men?
They are easier to mold and brainwash. At that point they will become and do whatever they are told.
Chapter 16-
16- (p139) What is the purpose in the boys being there if they are going to destroy everything? They are
there to be rehabilitated. The staff knows that this is a part of the process.
thing to me.” What does he mean? The boys were brainwashed into becoming killers. Poppay knows
that they did not have a choice. They became soldiers to survive and not out of choice.
18- (p145) Are the boys making progress? Use evidence from the chapter to explain. They are slowly
making progress. They have started to get out and see the city. Although they misbehave, they attend
school. They are playing tennis and soccer. Ishmael is finally starting to sleep.
19- Why do the staff members and medical staff stay calm and forgiving with the boys?
They know it’s a part of the rehabilitation process and the boys will get better. They know the boys
don’t know any different right now and are acting how they have been trained.
20- What is the difference between Ishamael’s reaction to Saidu’s death versus Moriba’s death? Why?
When Saidu died, the boys were remorseful and sad. They gave him a proper burial. When Moriba
died, they left him sitting with blood and didn’t think much about it.
Chapter 17-
5- Esther brings music back into Ishmael’s life. What role does it play? Is its role different than earlier in
the story? Explain your answer.
Music helps to humanize Ishmael. It reminds him of home and being young. Music helps bring him
back to these moments.
6- Why does Ishmael change his mind about Esther?
Esther does not give up on Ishmael. She goes slow with him, so that he is changing at his own pace and
gets to know him. She doesn’t push him to change.
7- What do you think the dream that Ishmael has with his family means?
His guilt is kicking in for all of the lives he took. He feels their blood and pain as a part of him in the
dream.
8- What does Esther see in Ishmael that keeps her believing in his rehabilitation? Give examples.
He is slowly starting to change. He comes to see her now and is opening up. He has come from a
tough life and giving him time has helped him to come around. She knows he is a boy who was forced
into a life he didn’t deserve. She is helping him to go back to being a boy again.
Chapter 18-
10- Create a timeline showing how Ishamel has changed from the beginning of the book to now. Some of
the change will be good; some of the change will be bad. You should have a minimum of ten events
that show his life and how it has changed.
11- Ishmael says “children have the resilience to outlive their sufferings, if given a chance.” What does this
mean?
If given time, children can get through the pain and suffering they have gone through.
Chapter 19-
questions have to be about what WILL happen and not what already happened. An example
has been done for you.
Is
Won’t
Did
Might
Should
Will When will

Ishmael visit
him home
country?
7- Ishmael asks about Esther and the other rehabilitating staff members “Why does she do it? Why do they all do
it?” What are your thoughts?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
8- What stops Ishmael from dating girls for too long?

They ask about his past, and he doesn’t want to tell them, so they break up with him.
9- Ishmael goes for an interview and talks about being in a “congested box.” What is the box?
An elevator
10- Based on Ishmael’s interview, why do you think he was chosen?

____________________________________________________________________________________
11- Why does Ishmael gets so frustrated with “city” people?

They are naïve about the country and the people living in the bush. They do not know what life is like
for these people or what Ishmael has gone through.
Chapter 20-
6- What new experiences does Ishmael have while in New York?
The cold weather and snow, tall buildings, lots of people in the streets, a radiator with heat, new foods,
winter coat, Time Square, big screens and billboards, the train
7- What does Dr. Tamba mean when he tells Ishmael “when you are in Rome, you do as the Romans do.”
He was telling him to eat the food that the others are eating. When you are in a new place, you need
to follow what the people of that place do.
8- Why do you think Ishmael’s uncle didn’t believe he was going to New York?
____________________________________________________________________________________
9- Explain what Ishmael means when he says “It seemed we were transforming our sufferings as we talked
about ways to solve their causes and let them be known to the world.”
They were changing because instead of being the problem they were trying to help solve the problem
of war.
10- Write a reflection over the following quotes from the chapter. What are your thoughts, questions, feelings over
the quotes?
Quote Reflection
“I have been rehabilitated now, so don’t be afraid of
me. I am not a soldier anymore; I am a child.”
(p199)
“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.” (p199)
“I was sad to leave, but I was also pleased to have

met people outside of Sierra Leone. Because if I was
to get killed upon my return, I knew that a memory
of my existence was alive somewhere in the world.”
(p200)
Chapter 21-
As you are reading the last chapter, fill in the Reading Notations chart with one of the symbols and an explanation.
Example

214 The bus was When I lived in Africa, we had to take transportation
overcrowded, so I
stood for most of the
√ that was overcrowded and uncomfortable. We had to
trip. In over fifty miles
stop multiple times. It would take 3-4 hours to get
to the capital there somewhere that was only 45 miles away.
were more than
fifteen checkpoints
and the soldiers were
unmerciful.
How does Ishmael feel about his new life? Use quotes from the chapter as evidence.
Feelings about the new life Quotes as Evidence

We had not only lost our childhood in the war but our lives
had been tainted by the same experiences that still caused
us great pain and sadness.
I knew I could never forget my past, but I wanted to stop

talking about it so that I would be fully present in my new
life.
I was thinking about the fact that we had run so far away
from the war, only to be caught back in it. There was
nowhere to go from here.
I couldn’t return to my previous life.
I felt bad about what was happening, but was not as

scared as these people, who had not experienced war
before. It was their first time, and it was painful to watch
them.
2- What is ironic about the war that began in the city?

Ishmael had just escaped war and started changing only to be put into it again.
3- What does the Ishmael mean when he says “The gunshots didn’t cease for the next five months; they
became the new sound of the city”? (p206)
The war stayed in the city and it was all they could hear.
8- The book ends abruptly. Ishmael is still on his journey and is not safe yet. He ends the book with a
story about a monkey. Why is this story significant and how does it relate to the themes of Ishmael’s
life story?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
9- What are some clues in past chapters that tell us what happens to Ishmael? Give evidence from the book that
explains his outcome. (chapter 20)
He talks about Laura as his “mother” and the cameraperson as his “aunt.” He explains that three years
later he went to live with Laura.
10- What are your thoughts on the ending of the memoir? Explain.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
11- Is there information from the book that Ishmael left out that you are curious about? Why might he have left
those parts out of his story?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
12- Why didn’t Ishmael tell the story chronologically from beginning to end? Why do you think he used flash-
forwards and flashbacks?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Strategies Long Way Gone

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Before, After, During Thinking Guide

A Long Way Gone By: Ishmael Beah

Refugees crapes (sneakers) verandah gunfire rebels

Malnourishment canoe intensified corrupt revolutionary

Foreign civilians liberation village massacre

Chaotic terrify bayonet risky trampling

Setting How will the author describe the setting?

Characters What predictions can you make about the characters?

Plot What will happen in the story? (minimum 2 events)

15- Complete the 3-2-1

_____________________________ _________________________ __________________________

Who did the cries come from?

What caused him to feel no emotion?

When did he last fire his AK- 47?

Where did he get the AK-47 from?

Why is the narrator taking that particular body to a cemetery?

How is the narrator involved in this scene?

4- (p25) “ causing his remains and blood to sprinkle like rain

Row 1- What are crapes?

4- How will this affect those people they stole from?

5- What should the boys have done?

Somebody (characters)…. Wanted (plot-motivation)…

But (conflict)… So (resolution)….

What changed? Explain.

Dr Sigman said: 'Authority is a basic health requirement in children's lives.

What is this article saying?

Paste the link to your Wordle here:

explaining what’s going through your mind.

Pros of a group Cons of a group

V _________ T _________ M _________

__________________________ __________________________ __________________________

Essential Characteristics- (explain what it is) Non-Essential Characteristics (explain what it

Examples (draw a picture) Non-Examples (draw a

↑ I agree with this X I disagree with this ?? I don’t understand this

! I can’t believe this # I did not know this √ I relate to

↑- If I were with the group of

“Even a twelve-year-old couldn’t be trusted anymore.” (p48)

Quote #1- Reflection:

Quote #2- Reflection:

Quote #3- Reflection:

Quote #4- Reflection:

Quote #5- Reflection:

Child soldiers kill (5 syllables: Chi-ld Sol-diers kill)

Their childhood is taken (7 syllables: Their Chi-ld-hood is ta-ken)

Someone save them please (5 syllables: Some-one save them please)

Old Man The others

Who What Where When Why How

Will the boys get

D _________ H _________ M _________

__________________________ __________________________ __________________________

Essential Characteristics- (explain what it is) Non-Essential Characteristics (explain what it

Examples (draw a picture) Non-Examples (draw a

c- Boasted (p62): “Kanei boasted about being an excellent soccer player.”

2. Why are Ishmael’s cassettes so important to him?

Word Page number Why I picked it Definition

Jumah and Mariba’s story

Write your thoughts on

6- (p81) Would you eat the crow? _____________________

8- (p83) PREDICTION TIME:

Chapter 11- Before

Gasps sister rain troublesome companions

Safety praying ache furious bananas

Intervened boasting smoke excitement sparks

_________________ _ ______________

V _____ T _ M _____

__

D _____ H _ M _____

__

____________ _ ______________

_________________ _ ______________