‘Beasts of No Nation,’ a Brutal Tale of Child Soldiers in Africa

Uzodinma, Iweala(2006) Beasts of No Nation. Paperback | Harper Perennial | ISBN: 978-0060798688 | $12.59 | 176 Pages

Beasts of No Nation is a socially conscious and harrowing film based on the 2006 novel by Nigerian-American author Uzodinma Iweala. The story centers on child soldiers in war-torn West Africa, focusing on Agu, a nine-year-old boy (played by then 14-year-old Abraham Attah) who escapes the massacre of his family. Agu is soon captured and molded into a child soldier by a brutal rebel leader, portrayed powerfully by Idris Elba.

Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, this film doesn’t shy away from the devastating realities of war, especially its impact on children. Idris Elba delivers a chilling performance, and young Abraham Attah gives an astonishingly mature and heartbreaking portrayal of innocence lost.

This remarkable movie is certain to receive serious Oscar consideration. As Peter Travers of Rolling Stone aptly put it: “Hard to watch, impossible to forget.” You can stream it now on Netflix.

I also had the opportunity to meet Ishmael Beah, the author of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, which explores the same harrowing subject of child soldiers. During the book talk and discussion, Beah went into powerful detail about what he and others went through—his firsthand account added a deeply personal and emotional layer to the topic, making the reality behind Beasts of No Nation feel even more urgent and heartbreaking. I saw the pain in his eyes as he spoke—deep, quiet, and haunting. It was a reminder that these stories are not just narratives crafted for books or films, but lived experiences filled with trauma, survival, and resilience. His presence and words left a lasting impact on me, giving a human face to the suffering portrayed in both his memoir and the film.  MrPhillyLibrarian

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Bibliography on Children Soldiers theme Books

Books

• Beah, Ishmael. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier (Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2008).
• Bok, Francis. Escape from Slavery: The True Story of My Ten Years in Captivity and My Journey to Freedom in America (St. Martin's Griffin, 2004).
• Brett, Rachel and Irma Specht. Young Soldiers: Why they Choose to Fight (Lynne Rienner Publishers, Inc., 2004).
• Briggs, Jimmie. Innocents Lost: When Child Soldiers Go to War (Basic Books, 2005).
• Dallaire, Romeo. They Fight Like Soldiers, They Die Like Children: The Global Quest to Eradicate the Use of Child Soldiers (Random House, 2010).
• Denov, Myriam. Child Soldiers: Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front (Cambridge University Press, 2010).
• Eichstaedt, Peter. First Kill Your Family: Child Soldiers of Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army (Lawrence Hill Books, 2009).
• Gates, Scott and Simon Reich. Child Soldiers in the Age of Fractured States (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2009).
• Honwama, Alcinda. Child Soldiers in Africa (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2007).
• Jal, Emmanuel. War Child: A Child Soldier's Story (St. Martin's Griffin, 2010).
• Kahn, Leora. Child Solders (Powerhouse Books, 2008).
• London, Charles. One Day the Soldiers Came: Voices of Children in War (Harper Perennial, 2007).
• McDonnell, Faith. Girl Soldier: A Story of Hope for Northern Uganda's Children (Chosen Books, 2007).
• Rosen, David M. Armies of the Young: Child Soldiers in War and Terrorism (Rutgers University Press, 2005).
• Singer, P.W. Children at War (University of California Press, 2006).
• Wessells, Michael. Child Soldiers: From Violence to Protection (Harvard University Press, 2009).

Films

Beasts of No Nation (2015)

Ana’s Playground (2009)

Blood Diamond (2006)

War Dance (2006)

Invisible Children (2003)

Children in War (2000)

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Blast from a Past Valentine’s Day: A Visit from the “Seniors Enjoy Reading” Book Club

Senior Book Club 

Every now and then, a memory surfaces that reminds us just how powerful community, kindness, and the love of reading truly are. One of those moments happened on Valentine’s Day 2017 a day I’ll never forget.

That afternoon, four members of the “Seniors Enjoy Reading” book club made a surprise visit to the Haverford Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia. They came to express their appreciation for the support we provide to their club a small but meaningful Valentine’s gesture that touched my heart.

The “Seniors Enjoy Reading” book club is based at the West Philly Senior Community Center and includes 14 dedicated readers  12 women and 2 men  most in their late 70s and beyond. Many of the members face mobility challenges, which makes their participation in a book club even more special. Their fearless and compassionate leader, Mrs. Gloria Presha, has been the heart of the group  and a beloved patron of our library. She and I have worked together for over five years to help the club thrive.

As their advisor, I help select titles that spark rich discussion and ensure there are enough copies available through the Free Library of Philadelphia, so everyone can enjoy the books completely free of charge. It’s a simple but powerful service that keeps the joy of reading alive for so many seniors who might not otherwise have access.

That Valentine’s Day visit wasn’t just a thank-you. It was a celebration of connection, shared stories, and enduring friendship  the kind you can only build through years of reading together.

Some of the people in that photo are no longer with us, but their memories linger on.
Their wisdom, laughter, and love of books left a mark on all of us  and their spirit lives on in every meeting, every chapter, and every conversation the club continues to share.

At the Free Library, we know reading is for everyone at every stage of life. And through partnerships like this, we continue to build bridges between people, stories, and generations.

– Mr. Philly Librarian

Teaching Black History Conference 2025: A Full-Circle Moment of Black Joy and Mentorship

Buffalo was a long drive from Philly but the journey was more than worth it. Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Teaching Black History Conference at the University at Buffalo, led by Center Director and Conference Leader Dr. LaGarrett J. King, PhD.

This year’s theme, Black Boy Joy, Black Girl Magic: The History of Black Childhoods, was as vibrant and meaningful as it sounds. It brought together educators, historians, and advocates from across the country to explore the joy, resilience, and brilliance of Black childhoods throughout history.

It was an inspiring and empowering experience. I left feeling renewed, challenged, and honored to be part of such an essential conversation one that celebrates the beauty and power of Black identity from the earliest years of life.

A Full-Circle Moment

One of the most unexpected and joyful moments of the conference came when I ran into Karim Brown, a former library patron I hadn’t seen in over 15 years. As a young student, Karim often visited the Overbrook Park Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, where I worked at the time. He reminded me of something I had completely forgotten or perhaps never realized: how I encouraged him to put down the computer games and dive into the world of books.

What I saw as a small, everyday act something all youth librarians do left a lasting impression on him.

Fast forward to today, and Karim is now a school teacher at Belmont Charter High School. Not only that he was also a panel speaker at the very same conference we were attending! Seeing him stand in his power, sharing insights as an educator, was a deeply emotional and affirming experience. It reminded me that the seeds we plant-especially in childhood can blossom in ways we may never see… until we do.

      Karim Brown and Marvin DeBose aka Mr. Philly Librarian

The Power of Black Joy Across Generations

Moments like this reinforce the importance of mentorship, community, and the enduring legacy of Black joy. They are a reminder that the work we do whether in classrooms, libraries, or recreation centers-matters. Deeply.

I’m grateful to have attended the Teaching Black History Conference and to have witnessed firsthand the generational impact of care, encouragement, and shared stories.

As we continue the work of teaching Black history and affirming Black futures, I carry this moment with me as a reminder of what’s possible. 

-Mr. Philly Librarian