Journal 6 - Ashleigh

I have really liked a lot of characters throughout this book, but one that really stood out to me would have to be Ester. She was Ismael’s nurse when he arrived at the rehabilitation center, Ester really cared for and took care of Beah. When he had first arrived to the center Beah was still so shook up from being in the war that he didn’t want help from anyone, but Ester didn’t care that he didn’t because she was there for him and helped him get through all this rough times. After Beah staying there for a couple years, he then found out that he had a uncle that he could go live with. His Uncle Tommy was there to love and care for him, and one things about Ester that stood out to be was that after all the years of spending time with Ismael and getting to know the person he was, when he went to go leave to live with his uncle she teared up because she was just so happy for him that he finally had somewhere to go and be happy with his family.

I feel that Ismael had to potential to become fully rehabilitated because with being a young child solder there was a lot that had happened in his young life time, but after he had been there for a while you can really see how much of a person he changed into, and how much his life has changed for the better. If Ismael were to move into my neighborhood I would accept him living there as long as he kept making steps in the right direction and he didn’t let the little things bother him and make him act out.

I think that Beah uses many different writing techniques throughout the whole book, and one that stood out to me was the theme he always had. Every chapter there was always something different happening and a different theme to go off of, he never left you bored throughout the story. You were always on the edge of your seat wanting to know more. Beah throughout story always made you feel as if you were in his own shoes and that really made me always want to read more.

I haven’t got my book back yet because I was sick and had missed class on Monday, and I don’t really have any clear memory of my favorite passage without seeing my book :(