A former child soldier tries to learn the ways of peace in an African nation in this "rip-roaring adventure story" by a Carnegie Medal winner (Publishers Weekly). Paul remembers nothing from before the conflict. Twelve years old, he is no longer a child. He is a warrior-one of a handful of elite commandos who live only to fight the corrupt government of Nagala. He has no family but the boys who fight beside him, and he owns nothing but his AK-47 rifle. This is the only life he has ever known, and it is one he understands-right until the day the standoff ends and his life changes forever.
Paul buries his AK and heads north to attend school and attempt to live life as just another child. But at night, the battlefield consumes his dreams. When a rogue faction stages a coup in the capital and Paul's adoptive father is put in prison, the boy turns into a warrior once more. It is too late for him to have a childhood, but Paul will do whatever it takes to guarantee himself a future.
From the author Philip Pullman called "one of the real masters of children's literature," this is an extraordinary novel for readers of all ages, a winner of the prestigious Whitbread Award in which "Dickinson deals intelligently with vital issues, devises potent symbols with his usual skill, and offers much to discuss in a vivid and compelling setting" (
Kirkus Reviews).
This ebook features an illustrated personal history of Peter Dickinson including rare images from the author's collection.
This book has been graded for interest at 12-16 years.
There are 204 pages in this book. This book was published 2015 by Open Road Media .
Peter Dickinson is the author of over fifty books for both children and adults. He was one of three British writers nominated for the position of the first Children's Laureate and he has won nearly every major literary award for his children's novels.
This book contains the following story:
Ak
A war behind him, a child soldier tries to learn the ways of peace Paul remembers nothing from before the conflict. Twelve years old, he is not a child. He is a warrior-one of a handful of elite commandos who live only to fight the corrupt government of Nagala. He has no family but the boys who fight beside him, and he owns nothing but his AK-47 rifle. This is the only life he has ever known, and it is one he understands-right until the day the standoff ends and his life changes forever. Paul buries his AK and heads north to join a school and attempt to live life as just another child. But at night, the battlefield consumes his dreams. When a rogue faction stages a coup in the capital and Paul's adoptive father is put in prison, the boy turns into a warrior once more. It is too late for him to have a childhood, but Paul will do whatever it takes to guarantee himself a future.
This book has been nominated for the following awards:
Whitbread Book Award
This book was recognised in the Children's Book category by the Whitbread Book Award.
Carnegie Medal
This book was recognised by the Carnegie Award. The CILIP Carnegie Medal is awarded by childrens librarians for an outstanding book written in English for children and young people.
