Chapter 1
Where were Ishmael, Junior, and Talloi heading in the beginning--and for what reason? (Must have both!)
Mattru Jong to participate in a talent show
Years after the war is over, Ishmael has gone to live where?
New York City
How did the town respond when the rebels did not come on the day they said they were coming?
Schools reopened, people returned to their normal routines, soldiers relaxed
Ishmael and the other 5 passed through a village that had what kinds of trees?
Banana, orange, and coconut trees
Ishmael and his friends jumped a 5 year old boy to get what from him?
Two boiled ears of corn. The boy's mother gave each of them another ear of corn.
What prank did Ishmael play on Junior and Talloi on the way to town?
He stole their clothes while they were swimming in the river.
What indication do we have that Ishmael is experiencing PTSD?
He is still having nightmares about the war years later.
What are the two ways to enter Mattru Jong?
By road and by crossing the river Jong.
Hearing the rebels' footsteps, Ishmael and his friends hid where?
Behind stacks of cement bricks.
One of the rebels used a simile to describe Gibrilla when they ambushed the boys. What did they compare him to?
"He is scared like a soaked monkey."
What is the name of Ishmael's hometown, which was attacked by rebels while they were away?
Mogbwemo
When Ishmael is awake, his mind drifts back to a memory in Sierra Leone where he and a squad of boys did what?
Attacked a small town for ammo and food.
What did the soldiers do in preparation for the rebels' attack?
They knew they would be outnumbered and left town before the rebels came.
Why was Junior almost caught by the rebels when crossing the clearing?
Something fell out of someone’s pocket onto an aluminum pan in the clearing.
After pretending to shoot the old man in front of the boys, the rebels announced the sole reason for their patrol. What was it?
To select some people among them to be recruited to the rebel army.
Why are Ishmael and Junior not in school?
Their father stopped paying when he married their new stepmom.
In his flashback, how does Ishmael feel after having shot down the other group of boys. What did he do?
Happy/Victorious--They high-fived each other, sat on the dead bodies, and ate the food the boys had been carrying.
Why did the rebels especially want to keep the women and children in the town?
They were a shield against the military; military intervention would be delayed and the rebels could stay longer.
What had changed about the economy of the village?
Money was now useless; no one was selling their food, but keeping it for themselves in case times get harder.
What distracted the rebels and allowed the boys to escape?
Loud gunshots not far away from the village.
Why did Grandmother say they should strive to be like the moon?
No one grumbles when the moon shines--get along with everyone and not make enemies.
What does Ishmael want most now that he is in America?
To rediscover the happiness he had known as a child.
What was especially bad about a young boy having RUF carved into his skin by the rebels?
It was a death sentence; Rebels would kill you if you tried to leave. Your own military would kill you thinking you were a rebel. Civilians would try to kill you thinking you were a traitor.
What major event signified Ishmael's actions going against his moral character for the first time?
What do the boys do the morning after nearly facing death?
Washed the clothes and made a plan to go far away from danger.