SON of a GUN

SON OF A GUN

–a historical contemporary novel by Anne de Graaf, an award-winning author of over 80 books translated into over 50 languages.  SON OF A GUN was published in the US in 2012 by Eerdmans Publishing Co.  This is one book to be sure to read – you will be glad you did and you will never forget it.  I have never read anything so beautiful and powerful, a story simply told.

“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.’”

The book describes the journey of a brother and sister, Lucky and Nopi, who are kidnapped from at their school in Liberia and forced to become child soldiers.  Told in alternating first person (brother and sister), both children tell their story of physical survival and ultimately, spiritual survival. SON OF A GUN will give you a new awareness and appreciation of how many children live.

There are over 300,000 child soldiers all over the world.  These children don’t have a choice.  Often they have been kidnapped and are given a gun, forced to cooperate of suffer abuse and death.  The AK-47 rifle is lightweight.  A child can carry it and shoot with it.  Many of these children have never been to school, they don’t know how to read or write. They have no access to food or shelter unless they obey their commanders.

The U.N. has initiated programs that encourage former child soldiers to turn in their rifles, receive a small sum of money and the chance to learn a livable trade and a basic education.  In the author’s notes at the end of the book, are actual drawings, poems and accounts from former child soldiers.  Anne de Graff also includes a section of historical notes and information about Liberia.