A Child Soldier’s Story
As a young kid barely able to carry a gun, Jal, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, witnessed and perpetrated unspeakable brutality in his country’s civil war, but he has not only found refuge in the U.S. but also become an international rap star for peace. His violent memories are graphically relayed in this powerful autobiography. At age 9, he smashed faces with machetes as his friend plunged a bayonet into an enemy’s stomach. What is amazing in this story is how Jal has been able to let go of his rage. His family gone, he was adopted by a British aid worker, who took him to Kenya, where he struggled in school. But eventually, inspired by Gandhi, King, and Mandela, he turned to music and the idea of rapping for peace (“no tribalism, nepotism, and racism in my motherland”). And his songs climbed the charts. With the intense personal story, Jal also brings in political issues not confronted in other books about the Sudanese War, including the crucial role of oil (“black gold”) in the ethnic conflict.
Every rare once in awhile a book comes along that blows you right out of the pages. This is that book. Emmanuel’s true story of being a soldier of war at the age of seven is enough to send chills through your body. If that was all you knew about this book it would be enough to stay with you for a long time to come. Yet Emmanuel’s story is more. Much more.
Born in Southern Sudan, Emmanuel lives with his mother, his father is an official in the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). The sounds of bombing and war become a regular occurrence for Emmanuel. Emmanuel lays out pages of detailed memories of what the war was like as his mom tried to constantly keep them moving towards safety, at times stripping themselves naked to mingle in with the villagers as they made their way through towns to perhaps a day or two of safety before the war followed.
Graphic… real…. sometimes painfully so, Emmanuel lays it all out of what survival was like for him as a child. Having minutes to eat oatmeal in the mornings, so hot it scalded, Emmanuel tells of ways they learned to eat quickly as that was the only change for food all day.
This book is not only one of great trials…. but also of great triumph. Through the book you feel Emmanuel’s spirit, his drive for more – to learn more – to be more. Emmanuel’s hardships bring him to roads that lead him to being a Christian, and these roads let him to a career in music. Today, he is a musician – a rapper who’s music speaks of peace.
“Life is hard in Africa, and my story was only a drop in an ocean made up of a million tears”.
Currently Emmanuel Jal has been on a fast for over a year to raise money for GUA Africa. Learn more about this incredible cause here.
This book was one that spoke to me deeply. Emmanuel’s story is one of survival. It caused at times, my heart to ache… and at times my heart to rejoice. I recommend this book highly. It is not just a book to be read – it is a bookto be experienced.
WARNING: The following Video has pictures of children at war:
Here is a sample of Emmanuel’s Music:
My Amazon Review
This book is a part of the following Challenges:
Support Your Local Library Challenge
This book was borrowed from our local Library
Book Journey 
Sounds like a rough but inspiring read.
Zia I really enjoy books about real life experiences and this is so real.
This sounds like an important book and I have read others that dealt with this issue. Now I must read this one! Excellent review.
Staci – oh yes- read it! I think this is a book that needs mroe readers. there is an amazing story here.
I’ve read other stories of child soldiers, and they are all heartbreaking. Had never realized that this was a reality for so many, so glad that Emmanuel was able to share his story and spread the word via his music.
Great review Sheila!
Me too Alexia – but this one was different for me. I think Emmanuel’s story was so detailed… I could picture it all so clearly.
What a great review Sheila! Sounds extremely heartbreaking and inspiring.
Thanks Reagan. It is everything you said.
Such a fantastic review Sheila. It’s hard to put into words books like this. Thanks for reading this one, it’s one that I hope more will pick up.
Thank you for bringing the book to my attention Natasha.
Definitely adding it to my must read list! Sounds like an awesome book.
I am glad Natalie – I would love to read your take on this book.
Great review and great discussion on the show. Thanks for providing the links to his music. I still hadn’t had the chance to check it out.
It really is good Nicole. I like the music a lot!
I didn’t really know anything about the book, but now that I do, I want it. I’ve got a couple of books about the Lost Boys and others like that.
Connect with me Koolaidmom if you read and review this, I would like to link to your review and read it too!
As a former Peace Corps volunteer, I am aware of the desperate circumstances some children grow up in. Luckily, my assignment country was no where nearly as chaotic and violent as Jal’s upbringing. People need to read books like this one to realize how hard life is for so many around the world. It will help them understand a little about the views other nations hold and the reasons our attempts to help so often fall short.
Good comment Pat. You are right that it is important to read books such as Emmanual’s story. There is so much going on in our world that we have no idea about and can hardly fathom what we do hear about.
sometimes its so hard to believe this is going on, but reality is harsh and I cry aloud for these children.
It is a read I highly recommend Jaime.
This sounds like a must read!
It is Kim 🙂
Shiela – this looks just like something I would love to read. I think I’m going to have t add it to my list!
Wow, can’t spell today. I meant Sheila and have to add to my list.
This isn’t the first review of this title I’ve read; I know I need to read it.
It is a wonderful book wordlilly – I highly recommend it.
hey can someone help me and tell me what they liked the most about the book and why?, and what was the best moment in this novel and why? ( provide support. ex. quotations) thanks in advanced. i really need this fast. thanks again