Journal 6 by Lucas

     The character that has meant the most to me other than Ishmael is Uncle Tommy. He has meant the most to me because he shows that there are still good people in the world. He also shows that it is possible for someone to love somebody even if they have never been there to show it before. He was crying, which is when I began to believe that he was really my family, because his crying was genuine and men in my culture rarely cried (Beah 172). Later on as Tommy dies, Ishmael talks about when he was talking to his uncle after he was buried telling him he loved him. I told him that I was sorry that we couldn't find him any help, that I hoped he knew that I really loved him and that wished he could have been alive to see me as an adult (Beah 208).

     I do believe that rehab is possible for kids like Ishmael. I believe that if they were brainwashed into being the horrible people they once were, that they can once again be "brainwashed" back into being good people. With that being said, I would not have a problem with him moving into my neighborhood once he was rehabilitated.

     One lesson I can take away from this book is that some things happen for a reason. Ishmael often wonders why he has survived so long and why everything had to happen to him. Well I believe that he was put in that situation for a reason so that he could tell his story and help others by bringing awareness to the issue with his speeches trying to end child soldiers. I most want to remember that there are good people in the world too and that they can do unselfish things for others for reasons we sometimes can't understand. "Why does she do it? Why do they all do it?" (Beah 181).

     The book leaves me wanting to know what has happened to Ishmael since where the book leaves off. After doing some research I found that Ishmael was appointed UNICEF's first Advocate for Children Affected by War on November 20, 2007. He pledged to give a voice and hope to children whose lives have been scarred by violence. He has also published another book since then, Radiance of Tomorrow, A Novel.
                                                  

                                                This is Ishmael's latest book