Son of a Gun - Softcover

AWARDS and RECOGNITIONS
American Library Association (ALA), Mildred L. Batchelder Honor (2013)
ALSC Notable Children's Books (2013)
Poetry Center at Passaic County CC, Paterson Prize for Books for Young People (Grades 4-6)(2013)
United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY), Outstanding International Books(2013)

Children's Literature"De Graaf uses a steady hand to write a powerful and haunting story."

I was crazy. Crazy mad. That's how I felt when I turned in my AK-47 rifle. The commanding officer's growl still haunts me: "This gun is your god. You listen to the voice of your god and go where your gun tells you."

This powerful and gripping story describes the journey of a brother and sister, eight-year-old Lucky and ten-year- old Nopi, who are kidnapped from school and forced to become child soldiers in Liberia's fourteen-year- long civil war.

Lucky and Nopi manage to escape, but must continue fleeing. Even after they are reunited with their parents, they both know the pieces of their lives will never fit together like they used to. When will the war really be over, and when will they get to have the childhood they still dream about?

This sensitive and compelling narrative is based on true stories of former child soldiers interviewed by the author. Son of a Gun also includes a section of notes and further information about Liberia.