Song of Night by Chris Abani

Song of Night by Chris Abani is a spellbinding and horrific view into the life of an Igbo child soldier whose has the “elite” job of scouting for landmines before the army walks through the war torn countryside; they are called mine sweepers. The fifteen year old boy who is telling his story is ironically named My Luck. Readers learn about My Luck’s life as he tries to find his platoon that he has been separated from. My Luck was brutally muted at 12 for his job. The worst phrase is “I took out my prick and pissed on..” It however goes so well in the story that no one flinched as read it aloud. This books is masterful because readers learn about like as a child in a war, what a child soldier thinks and feels. The writing is incredibly descriptive and moving as we learn of My Luck’s life through his memories.

I not only recommend this book for teenagers but for all adults as well. Chris Abani is an incredible author from Nigeria. He was jailed in Nigeria as they tried to silence his voice from writing compelling and telling books such as this one he wrong in Los Angeles after leaving Nigeria. My students are learning a lot reading this book and thinking a lot about what a different life other kids their age in other places and other circumstances have compared to the easy street they live on here in the United States. This is an easy and quick novella to read. Once you read it, you will be changed! I promise you will learn, grow, and never unknow what you read in this beautifully written novella. The writing by this Nigerian author will blow you away!

**Upon re-reading there is a scene where the boy of 12 if forced to rape a woman at gunpoint. This is a disturbing scene (to say the least). It's not more than four sentences but does make teens "uncomfortable." I do reiterate that Abani was thrown in jail in Nigeria for writing the truth about what was going on in his country. This is not just the story of one child soldier, it is the story of many...