People and Places
Where does Ishmael end up living after he leaves Sierra Leone?
New York City
How does the memoir begin?
With Ishmael living in New York City, reflecting on his past
What image in nature is brought up several times in the text, first by an old man?
The moon
What is the name of Ishmael’s brother?
Junior or Abraham
Which friend tells the story of Bra Spider?
Musa
How old was Ishmael when he says he was “first touched by war”?
12
What does “brown brown” refer to, and what purpose does it serve among the fighters?
Brown brown is a mixture of cocaine and gunpowder, and it’s used to keep the boys awake (and to alter behavior)
Why is it difficult for Ishmael and his friends to get help when they are on the run from the rebels?
People do not trust them.
What is the name of the village where Ishmael and his friends find shelter but have to help farm the land?
Kamator
Where were Ishmael and his friends headed when they left their village for the first time?
They were going to a neighboring village to perform a rap and a dance.
What saves the boys on numerous occasions?
music
Which rebel group started attacking villages?
Revolutionary United Front (RUF)
Which friend dies after the group eats a crow that fell from the sky?
Saidu
What happened to Ishmael when he was alone in the forest?
He was chased by wild pigs
Identify one way Ishmael shows symptoms of PTSD in the memoir (choose one example).
He had a panic attack after hearing a car engine backfire when he was walking around New York City (also: nightmares and sleeping problems)
What is Ishmael's nickname as a soldier?
Green Snake
After returning to Sierra Leone post conference, what critical local services are closed because of renewed conflict?
shops, hospitals, pharmacies
When Ishmael and his friends end up near the ocean, what do the fishermen take from them?
Their shoes
What conclusion from the monkey-and-hunter story does Ishmael recall deciding on when he was seven?
That he would shoot the hunter so the forest could go back to being balanced (the vow he recalls as a child regarding the story)
Which contact from the UN conference eventually ends up adopting Ishmael?
Laura Simms