War Brothers: The Novel - Softcover

McKay, Sharon E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1554516471 ISBN 13: 9781554516476

Publisher: Annick Press, 2014

Synopsis

The unforgettable novel about one child soldier’s struggle with friendship, courage, and resilience. Jacob is a 14-year-old Ugandan who is sent away to a boys’ school. Once there, he assures his friend Tony that they need not be afraid they will be safe. But not long after, in the shadow of the night, the boys are abducted. Marched into the jungle, they are brought to an encampment of the feared rebel soldiers. Told that they must kill or be killed, the boys are thrust into a terrifying struggle to endure and survive. In time, the boys escape. Hunted by the rebels, stalked by a lion, and even pursued by river crocs, they miraculously succeed in reaching safety; however, it is no longer enough. Jacob’s adventures force him to confront evil, victimization, and the dark side of human nature, but also teach him about loyalty, friendship, and the true meaning of family. War Brothers was originally published in 2008, in Canada. Annick is now making the award-winning novel available to American readers, with powerful, striking cover art by Daniel Lafrance. This edition is not available in Canada. The novel was recently adapted into a critically acclaimed graphic novel.

About this title

About the Author:

Sharon E. McKay is a bestselling, award-winning author. War Brothers is based on interviews she conducted in Uganda with child soldiers. Her other books include Enemy Territory and Thunder Over Kandahar. She lives on Prince Edward Island, Canada.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 7 Up—In this terrifying and shocking account based on actual events, Jacob is abducted and forcibly inducted into The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Uganda. Jacob's life before going away to school was fairly typical. He idolized his father. He goofed off with his best friend Tony. He often became frustrated with his overbearing, unwed aunt. All of that changed after he went away to school. Reuniting with his old friend Paul and asked to look over the scrawny new boy Norman, the boys are unprepared when the LRA comes to their school in the middle of the night. Jacob is beaten. He awakens the next morning in time to see Tony, along with several other children, forced to kill another in order to prove their worth to their new "family." As Jacob, Paul, and Norman fight off starvation and plot their ultimate escape, they find unlikely allies in a cook within the army as well as a deformed girl who is often ignored by the generals. As with the graphic novel of the same name, McKay does an effective job of bringing this story to life. While the novel lacks the visual, visceral shock of the comic, this case study of what is surprisingly an everyday occurrence in Uganda will leave readers with an expanded global perspective on religious conflict and child slavery. The protagonist's struggles are heartbreaking, but his fierce determination and unflinching will to survive will surely prove to be an inspiration to readers.—Ryan P. Donovan, Southborough Public Library, MA

About this edition

• Publisher: Annick Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1554516471
• ISBN 13: 9781554516476
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176
• Illustrator: Lafrance Daniel