Other editions of book Child Soldier: When Boys and Girls Are Used in War

Michel Chikwanine was five years old when he was abducted from his schoolyard soccer game in the Democratic Republic of Congo and forced to become a soldier for a brutal rebel militia. Against the odds, Michel managed to escape and find his way back to his family, but he was never the same again. After immigrating to Canada, Michel was encouraged by a teacher to share what happened to him in order to raise awareness about child soldiers around the world, and this book is part of that effort. Told in the first person and presented in a graphic novel format, the gripping story of Michel's experience is moving and unsettling. But the humanity he exhibits in the telling, along with Claudia D?vila's illustrations, which evoke rather than depict the violent elements of the story, makes the book accessible for this age group and, ultimately, reassuring and hopeful. The back matter contains further information, as well as suggestions for ways children can help. This is a perfect resource for engaging youngsters in social studies lessons on global awareness and social justice issues, and would easily spark classroom discussions about conflict, children's rights and even bullying. Michel's actions took enormous courage, but he makes clear that he was and still is an ordinary person, no different from his readers. He believes everyone can do something to make the world a better place, and so he shares what his father told him: .If you ever think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito..

Michel is like many other five-year-olds: he has a loving family and spends his days going to school and playing soccer. But in 1993, the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Michel and his family live, is a country in tumult. One afternoon Michel and his friends are kidnapped by rebel militants and forced to become child soldiers. Child Soldier is the sometimes heartbreaking but ultimately inspiring true story of the triumph of the human spirit.

Michel Chikwanine was five years old when he was abducted from his school-yard soccer game in the Democratic Republic of Congo and forced to become a soldier for a brutal rebel militia. Against the odds, Michel managed to escape and find his way back to his family, but he was never the same again. After immigrating to Canada, Michel was encouraged by a teacher to share what happened to him in order to raise awareness about child soldiers around the world, and this book is part of that effort. Told in the first person and presented in a graphic novel format, the gripping story of Michel's experience is moving and unsettling. But the humanity he exhibits in the telling, along with Claudia Dávila's illustrations, which evoke rather than depict the violent elements of the story, makes the book accessible for this age group and, ultimately, reassuring and hopeful. The back matter contains further information, as well as suggestions for ways children can help. This is a perfect resource for engaging youngsters in social studies lessons on global awareness and social justice issues, and would easily spark classroom discussions about conflict, children's rights and even bullying. Michel's actions took enormous courage, but he makes clear that he was and still is an ordinary person, no different from his readers. He believes everyone can do something to make the world a better place, and so he shares what his father told him: "If you ever think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito."

Michel Chikwanine was only five-years-old when he was abducted from outside his school by rebel soldiers in The Democratic Republic of Congo. Child Soldier tells the story of his happy life before the abduction, his time with the rebel militia, his escape from their clutches and finally the worsening situation and growing unrest for Michel and his family and his eventual immigration to Canada with his mother. Despite his young age, Michel never gives up. It is his resilience and courage that helped him to stay alive during his time with the rebels. This is a legacy from his father, whose sense of compassion and integrity drove Michel to reject the rebels attempts to instil violence and hate, and have shaped Michel into the person he is today. As a young man, Michel now travels the world to inspire others to believe that their actions can make a difference. He is an accomplished public speaker and someone who's voice and story resonates with people all over the globe.Thankfully most children will never experience the brutal reality of being forced to take part in armed conflicts, in whatever role is imposed on them. But Michel's story serves as a reminder of how close to home this ongoing issue is. Africa may feel far away to a child living in the UK, but the reality is that young people in gangs across the world, who are made to commit crimes for adult leaders have more in common with Michel than they may realise. This book also examines in general how and why adults use children as expendable pawns in conflicts and provides the reader with advice on further information and what they can do to get involved.This book is aimed at children aged 10+, however it does contain some images that some readers may find difficult or distressing. The cartoon / graphic novel style of the book does contain images of violence, including guns, knives, dead bodies and other explicit scenes.

Michel Chikwanine was only five when he was abducted from outside his school by rebel soldiers in The Democratic Republic of Congo. In this thought-provoking graphic novel, Child Soldier depicts the story of his happy life before the abduction, his harrowing time with the rebel militia and his ultimate escape from their clutches to a new life in Canada. This book is aimed at readers aged 9+, however it does contain some images that some readers may find difficult or distressing. The cartoon / graphic novel style of the book does contain images of violence, including guns, knives, dead bodies and other explicit scenes.