Literally Graphic reviewed Child Soldier by Jessica Dee Humphreys (CitizenKid)
Review of 'Child Soldier' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Certainly not for every kid, Chikwanine and Humphreys have done a really great job of presenting the story in the most all ages appropriate way possible. Their writing, combined with Davila's vivid artwork, vividly share the darkness that spawns child soldiers in a way that will hopefully inspire and educate younger children (and their adults) with hope.
Having heard many news stories on this subject over the years, I still found myself struck by this story. Not only because I will never become fully accustomed to the idea of child soldiers, but because of the personal nature of the story and even the way it was written for children and about children.
Too many times we see this global issue from a distance and from an adult perspective. Even if in some ways writing this story for children may seem like simplifying it, it also drives home the point that …
Certainly not for every kid, Chikwanine and Humphreys have done a really great job of presenting the story in the most all ages appropriate way possible. Their writing, combined with Davila's vivid artwork, vividly share the darkness that spawns child soldiers in a way that will hopefully inspire and educate younger children (and their adults) with hope.
Having heard many news stories on this subject over the years, I still found myself struck by this story. Not only because I will never become fully accustomed to the idea of child soldiers, but because of the personal nature of the story and even the way it was written for children and about children.
Too many times we see this global issue from a distance and from an adult perspective. Even if in some ways writing this story for children may seem like simplifying it, it also drives home the point that these are young children we are dealing with!
I also really appreciated the way that the book closed. Explaining in more straightforward prose just how international of an issue child soldiers can be and looking to ways in which younger readers can help. I thought this book struck just the right note on such an important issue.
And after reading Primates I should also note that I really apprecaited one paragraph in this book in particular. On page 8 the book talks about how his father, despite being a very modern man, still favored Michel over his sisters because he was a boy. Obviously I do not begrudge him his familial relationships, but it was nice to have that self-aware little note.