#keely hutton

Internet Famous by Danika Stone (June 6) Romeo, Juliet & Jim by Larry Schwarz and Iva-Marie Palmer (June 6) What I Lost by Alexandra Ballard (June 6) Soldier Boy by Keely Hutton (June 13) Bad Romance by Heather Demetrios (June 13)

Website: http://keelyhutton.com/home.html

Not My Review: Secret Soldiers by Keely Hutton

This story is a compelling one that sends you through every emotion. Half of the reviews I have encountered on this book consider it a young adult novel however I stand with the other half that believes this book is one for everyone. It is alarmingly truthful about the rebellion plaguing Northern Uganda. Young children are subjected to brutal beatings. They are forced into believing they would be shamed for killing if they were to escape and go home. Young boys are forced to kill while young girls are taken as wives of the rebels. Soldier Boy is descriptive and remains honest about children being forced to cut or kill their peers or family members however, it is not too detailed or too graphic. For many children, this is a reality and around the age of middle school kids- they are already exposed to such violence and descriptions within video games. The narration is provided through a child’s mindset with a child’s tone which conjures up empathy in the reader because this life of a child soldier is very real and it happens in many places. Throughout Samuel’s chapters we are given a fearful mindset of a child rebel that has escaped but there is a man aiding his wounds both physically and emotionally. Throughout Ricky’s chapters, we are shown the strategic ways these abductees survive in the LRA. We are shown the value of family and the value and concept of home. The way the syntax grabs and pulls the reader through the story is one that will keep anyone from putting it down., anxiously awaiting their escape. This book would be the perfect addition to a list of wars outside the ones children learn about in U.S. history that our society should be talking about. This book brings out fear but it also provides comfort after exposing the reader to the injustices the children in Uganda have faced. I might also add this book was a serious tear jerker! 

Teen Board Member Zoe I. said that SOLDIER BOY by Keely Hutton “can be a little tough to read sometimes...Though...it will not disappoint. The writing is beautiful, its characters are well thought out and developed, and is a really fast read.” Read the rest of their review here. 

Not My Review: Soldier Boy by Keely Hutton

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