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Readers > Everybody Reads > 2008 > About the Author > Author's Message

Author's Message

Ishmael BeahIshmael Beah

I am thrilled and deeply moved that the Multnomah County Library has selected A Long Way Gone for the Everybody Reads 2008 program. One of the reasons why I wrote this book is to remind the world that children continue to be used as soldiers in wars all around the world; wars that are not of their making. I hope that this book will start the discussion that allows people to see the humanity of these children, their communities and the possibilities of their recovery from the horrors of war. In addition, I have only put a human face to a very small part of a larger story. Therefore, it is my wish that people do not only stop at learning about my country, Sierra Leone, its culture and people before, during and after the war. But that people try to expose themselves to the world more and more through literature and other means. This would allow all of us to be able to see and understand our common humanity even in places where perhaps hope sometimes seems lost.
With heartfelt gratitude for making my story a part of your community,
Ishmael Beah
October 2007