Child Soldier: When Boys and Girls Are Used in War (CitizenKid)

Gr 3-6--Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and forced to become a child soldier at age five, Chikwanine tells his painful yet ultimately uplifting story with help from coauthor Humphreys and artist Davila. Though there was unrest in his country, Michel lived a happy, carefree existence with his parents and sisters--until one day after school he was abducted by soldiers. He lived in a state of terror and exhaustion while he underwent training, until he was able to escape and return to his family. However, more trauma lay ahead. Chikwanine, Humphreys, and Davila handle this difficult subject sensitively; readers are informed that "these events did not occur out of the blue and won't suddenly happen to you." The authors gloss over some details to keep the story age appropriate, but they do acknowledge some difficult truths. Chikwanine's narration is matter of fact but never didactic, emphasizing less the gruesome details and more young Michel's emotional response and attempts to make sense of the world around him. Earthy hued and gentle, the images make a potentially disturbing topic accessible. Davila foregoes blood and gore for more delicate, effective ways of depicting fear and danger, such as using darker hues, extreme close-ups, and dramatic angles. Several pages of back matter provide more information on Chikwanine's life, child soldiers in general, and resources for those who want to get involved combating this problem. VERDICT An enlightening, accessible, and, above all, child-friendly introduction to the issue.--Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal

Chikwanine, who was abducted by a rebel militia at age five and now works as a public speaker and activist, describes a childhood filled with horrors, heartbreak, and hope growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 1990s. Writing with Humphreys, he begins with a capsule history of the region's instabilities before moving on to his early life in the city of Beni; his father was a human rights lawyer, while his mother sold fish and fabric at the market. After Chikwanine and some friends are abducted during an after-school soccer game, the direct first-person narration lays bare the boy's confusion and pain: "Every day was hard and terrible, filled with fear, torture and death." Davila's panel sequences temper the story's atrocities, but only slightly: readers see the sandal-clad foot of the friend Chikwanine was forced to kill; elsewhere, bodies hang from trees while he is shown holding a rifle as large as he is. Chikwanine escaped the rebels not long after, but his family's troubles were just beginning. Back matter provides extensive information about the use of child soldiers worldwide. Ages 5-8. (Sept.)